Show season is in full swing and many owners are traveling with their horses to events across the country. Keeping horses healthy when traveling can present challenges. Increased travel can increase potential exposure to risk based infectious diseases. Pfizer Animal Health advises that proper vaccination by a veterinarian is the best way to help protect horses against strangles and other contagious diseases.
According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the incidence of strangles varies regionally, as well as from farm-to-farm. Therefore, it is listed in their guidelines as a ‘risk-based’ disease. Risk-based vaccinations differ from core-vaccinations in that they help protect from diseases that are endemic to a region, those with potential public health significance, and required by law2. Core diseases include Eastern equine encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, rabies and tetanus. Due to these variations, it is important to consult a veterinarian when developing a vaccination program.
“Strangles is considered a risk-based disease, meaning it is at the discretion of the veterinarian and the horse owner whether to vaccinate,” said Tom Lenz, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACT and Senior Director, Equine Veterinary Services for Pfizer Animal Health. “However, a disease outbreak can happen anytime, anywhere and so it’s a good idea to help maximize the protection of our horses through proper vaccination.”
Strangles, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi, is a highly contagious disease that localizes in a horse’s lymph nodes in its upper respiratory tract. Strangles can affect horses of any age, but most commonly infects those between weaning and five years of age3. The disease is usually acquired after exposure to another horse that is shedding the Streptococcus equi bacteria, either during or after its own bout of the illness.
Once a horse is exposed to the bacteria, it can begin to show symptoms in two to six days3. Horses with strangles will usually first show signs of high fever, poor appetite, and depression3. Horses will usually excrete a thin, watery discharge from their nostrils, which will quickly turn thick and yellow. The horse’s upper respiratory lymph nodes can become enlarged and may abscess, most noticeably the ones at the throat latch area and between the jawbones3.
Most horses will recover, but approximately 10 percent of untreated horses may die, usually from pneumonia, a secondary infection3. Infectious horses can spread the bacteria even when they are no longer showing signs of the disease. Around 20 percent of horses remain contagious for four to six weeks after all symptoms vanish3.
“Strangles is highly contagious,” said Dr. Lenz. “Therefore, owners and caregivers should follow proper biosecurity practices to try to help prevent contamination of equipment and the spread to other horses.”
Vaccination can be used as an aid in the prevention of Strangles. Although vaccinated horses may still contract the disease, they tend to experience a less severe illness if they do contract strangles. Horses cannot contract strangles from the vaccine itself.
Pfizer Animal Health offers PINNACLE® IN, an intranasal Streptococcus equi vaccine. The modified-live intranasal vaccine has been shown to stimulate a high level of immunity against the disease4. The vaccine must reach the pharyngeal and lingual tonsils in sufficient numbers to help trigger a protective response4. Therefore, accurate vaccination delivery by a veterinarian is critical to vaccine efficacy.
If you suspect that a horse has strangles, notify a veterinarian to confirm the disease. The sooner the positive diagnosis is reached, the sooner the horse can be isolated and treated.
About Pfizer Animal Health
Pfizer Animal Health, a business unit of Pfizer Inc, is a world leader in the discovery, development and manufacture of innovative animal health vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic products. Pfizer Animal Health invests more in research and development than any other animal health company. We work to assure a safe, sustainable global food supply from healthy beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry and fish while helping dogs, cats and horses live healthier longer lives. We strive to be the animal health company that provides full healthcare solutions to veterinarians, livestock producers, and pet owners. To learn more, visit www.us.animalhealth.pfizer.com.
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References
- Risk-Based Vaccination Guidelines. American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2008. . Available at: http://www.aaep.org/risk_based.htm. Accessed on June 13, 2011.
- Core Vaccination Guidelines. American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2008. Available at: http://www.aaep.org/core_vaccinations.htm. Accessed on June 13, 2011.
- Horse Strangle Disease – What it is, and How to Treat it. American Horse Rider & Horses and Horse Information. 2011. Available at: http://www.horses-and-horse-information.com/articles/0196stran.shtml.Accessed on June 13, 2011.
- Strangles (Streptococcus Equi). American Association of Equine Practitioners. 2008. Available at: http://www.aaep.org/strangles.htm. Accessed on June 13, 2011