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Message |
    
George
New Member
Username: galager
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, Feb 9, 2008 - 9:08 pm: |   |
I am adopting a second mustang this month who will be vaccinated for strangles. He will be quarantined for 30 days from our other mustang which has not been vaccinated for this disease in 2007 (vaccinated in both 2006 and 2005). Both horses will remain on our property for at least several years and not be in contact with other horses. Question: Should our first mustang be vaccinated for strangles before the two horses are stabled together? I was concerned that the newly adopted horse may be a carrier of the strangles bacteria but not show any symptoms of the disease during the quarantine period. Thanks. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1778
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 10, 2008 - 7:50 am: | |
George I could be wrong, but I think if a horse is a carrier without symptoms a vaccination isn't going to change that. So if you are worried new horse is a carrier I would vaccinate the other. I think a strangles carrier horse (without symptoms) is rare, but quite possible. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 20061
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 10, 2008 - 9:12 am: | |
Diane's post has a lot of truth to it but with the same facts I reach a different conclusion. Unless you have specific indications this might be a carrier I would not vaccinate. Vaccines, particularly the Strangles vaccine, are not harmless, there is the expense of maintaining them, and Strangles is easily treated if started early. For more on this see the article Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System » Strangles & Streptococcus equi.
DrO |
