Strangles - Health & Supplements - Health & Supplements - Horse Community, Horse Pictures, Horse Forum and Information

Posted : 2/5/2011 9:36:08 PM

Well not sure how many of the "Old Timers" remember me, but I have been on this forum previously with a name very similar to this one, but couldn't remember my password...so here I am to start again!
Now, down to the problem....My horse has Strangles. No doubt about it...and I am NOT happy!! Where she is boarded allowed 2 new horses to come in and did not isolate them and they passed it to her AND all of the other horses at the barn. She went through the usual sequence of events that strangles goes through..snotty nose, cough, swollen jaw then finally the sore ruptured and drained. It opened about 3 weeks ago and has had a steady drainage, but she just can't seem to kick it. Someone else called in a Vet and they simply told her to give her horse Bantamine and Penicillin. He got better rather quickly once that was started. I have the Bantamine and went and bought the Penicillin. Today I am going to start her on it. But I guess I am wanting your opinions on starting this treatment this late in the stages of Strangles. I have done a lot of reading on it and have seen several opinions on it. Most would not want to start treatment at this stage because of the risk of *** Strangles developing. She has lost some weight, but not enough to worry me, during this process. She is still eating and drinking. I am just frustrated because it has drug out SO long!! Opinions please?? And as for the horse, she is a 10 yr old Quarter Horse..excellent health up until this point. Thanks everyone and look forward to catching up with all of my old friends and meeting some new ones as well!

littlebit

Posted : 2/6/2011 2:20:40 AM

Most vets just tell you to let it run its course because of the risk of *** Strangles. I would talk to my vet before starting antibotics.

Guest

Posted : 2/6/2011 7:24:42 AM

Well after going out and having a look at her tonight, I did decide against the Penicillin for the time being. The sore has closed finally and has no drainage and looks clean. Her issue tonight was both fetlocks on her left side were swollen and she seemed tender from her hock down on her hind leg and just the fetlock area on her front. Not really sure what happened, as they are out in the pasture except to eat. I am thinking that she may have slipped and went down in the snow and just banged herself up. She is walking fine, just acting a bit sore and stiff so I gave her a dose of Bantamine...will see what tomorrow brings.

hunterseat

Posted : 2/6/2011 10:14:33 AM

I should copy and paste what I put in your welcome thread. I'm so glad she's getting better!!! It's always a worry and that is, without a doubt, one of the most disgusting things to deal with! Like a whole herd of snotty nose toddlers rolled into one horse. [:'(]

Connie

Posted : 2/6/2011 9:37:33 PM

For what it is worth, I agree to not give her antibiotics. Years ago I had a barn full of it. The only horse vet I have ever had any confidence in had me give antibiotics to them and the dosage was determined by the degree of fever....the higher the temp the larger the dose. It HAD to be a ten day course. No less.

I have a very good friend who deals in horses and he as well as other horse dealers I know say to just let it run its course. The horse is usually turned out and left on its own with food and water. I have seen the results and they come through this remarkably well. The colts and older horses have the hardest time. If you only treat until they act better it sometimes seems to drive it deeper and cause more problems down the road. Since it hits their respiratory system, it has always seemed to me to be a good practice to let them rest for a decent period of time before asking them to go back to work. As with any sickness they can get, time to heal is important. (to me at least)

Hope this helps, or at least reinforces your decision.

LuvMeGrayQH

Posted : 2/9/2011 8:10:03 PM

I too have had the unfortunate luck of dealing with Strangles where I board since July 2010. I feel the best course of action is to let it runs its course for fear of *** Strangles, especially if you are already far enough into it. I understand if you treat early with penicillin, it helps, but that window is very small. I vaccinated for it, and I will NEVER vaccinate for it again in light of this experience. My horse came down with it in October and it was the usual, fever first, off grain then came the gross snotty nose for about 3 weeks. While she came through that OK, she developed a complication, Purpura Hemmorhagica. This was caught in the very early stages but I am concerned that the swelling and tenderness you mention may be the same thing. Read up on it, it is very serious. I am still in the midst of treating my mare for this, this being the 18th week of steroid injections. Every time we try to wean off, the hemmoraging in her nostrils starts to come back. It is very frustrating and stressful....I want my horse back!!!

hunterseat

Posted : 2/10/2011 2:06:20 AM

Luv, I'm so sorry. Your horse is lucky to have you. Hopefully all will be well soon.

TanyaC97

Posted : 2/10/2011 1:21:57 PM

Luv, I am sorry you are dealing with this and the EXACT reasons you stated are why I will not vaccinate against strangles. I have talked with more than a few vets about it and they agreed with me.

Danger- keep us posted please about how your horse is progressing and doing.

Dangergurly9

Posted : 2/12/2011 9:11:56 PM

Thanks Luv..I done a little reading up on Purpura Hemorrhagica and she is not displaying those types of symptoms. She has had no swelling of the face/Nostril area. The only time she has had any swelling in that area was before the lymph node ruptured. Since it has ruptured and drained, the only swelling was her legs. They seem to have gone down quite a bit. They are still a bit "puffy" but nothing like they were. She is moving around better now, so hopefully we are on the upswing from everything! It has been very cold here, so I think she is moving as little as possible at this point to conserve her energy. There is 1 gelding in the herd that keeps her on the move (To keep her away from the other geldings of course, that's his girl! ) If she don't move fast enough for him, he gives her a little love nip to get her moving, which I think is good for her. [ ';)'

] Have my fingers crossed, will be going back out tomorrow to have another look at her and will keep everyone posted.

LuvMeGrayQH

Posted : 2/21/2011 7:46:44 PM

How is it going?

The swelling we experienced was on the chest and underside of her barrel. My vet called Dr. Timoney the strep equii specialist in Kentucky at the Gluck Center and his advice was to take her off the dex completely and monitor temp 2x a day and watch for swelling to recur. We are now day 12 off the steroids and holding steady, I am so hoping to close the chapter of this horror story.

Dangergurly9

Posted : 2/23/2011 9:50:26 PM

Glad things are looking up for you Luv!
It seems my girl is on the upswing on her way back to being healthy again. Her swelling has gone down in her legs and she is moving around much better and also has her appetite back fully. So hopefully this nightmare is over also!!