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Discussion on Yet more snotty noses
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Sharon Thomas (Sefiroth)
| | Posted on Saturday, Feb 10, 2001 - 4:49 pm: |   |
Here's my situation. I recently took my 4 yr old quarter horse to an auction. Wasn't satisfied with the high bid and ended up bringing him home. Two days later he has a snotty nose, with a whitish to clear discharge. It seems to me that what people have been posting, and what I understood from the article is that snotty noses are caused either by strangles or influenza. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
It also puzzles me then how my horse got this then since he's up to date on all his vaccinations. I know vaccinations aren't 100% effective, which was why I tried to minimize any contact he had with any other horses at the auction. And now, my 6 yr old pony has also come up with a snotty nose, 2 days ago. She hasn't had any vaccinations for at least a year.
Neither horse has shown any other changes in health or personality other than the snotty nose. The gelding still eats every last grain of his feed, and the pony is still a quick little thief at stealing the other's hay. These two are also in with two older geldings, 18 and 25 yrs old who show no signs of any problems. Unfortunately I cant separate any of them at this time. We only have one large pasture and a large loafing shed with plans for more this spring/summer...which doesn't help now.
I also don't currently own a thermometer, but I plan on picking one up as soon as possible. Or I may just call the vet out and be done with. But I always like to get my facts straight first.
It almost seems to me that these two young 'uns could have got strangles, since the older guys show no signs of ill health since they've probably been exposed to it before and have built an immune response already. Just my guess tho.
So I guess my questions in this long winded post would be summed up as:
1. What do you guys think it could be?
2. If it is strangles how far along does it have to be for the glands to be noticeably enlarged so that I could feel them for myself? The gelding has had a snotty nose for about 5 days now and the pony for 2.
3. In any case I will almost defiantly be calling the vet on monday to come out and have a look see. Is there anything more I could do until then to help speed them to good health?
~Sharon |
CHERYL GALL (Sctamaus)
| | Posted on Saturday, Feb 10, 2001 - 5:19 pm: | |
Dear Sharon,
It sounds like your horse has shipping fever. I sold my arabian mare to a guy that took her to a sale barn. I tracked down the buyer because I wanted to buy her back. (I couldn't stop crying because I missed her so much.) I stayed in touch with the woman who bought her and she told me she came down sick. She had the vet come out and he started her on antibiotics. He told her it was shipping fever and that she had picked it up from the sale barn because a lot of animals that go through there aren't up to date on their shots. It's suppose to be very contagious. Every horse at the stable where she was being boarded got it. She was up to date on her shots, so that doesn't make a difference. |
Sharon Thomas (Sefiroth)
| | Posted on Saturday, Feb 10, 2001 - 7:32 pm: | |
Cheryl,
Hmmm...could be. I searched the site and didn't come up with very much other than this post that mentioned shipping fever and would like to learn more. Is there a more technical term for this? Or maybe DrO could expand the article for this forum? 
Also, if its very contagious, I wonder why my two old geezers didn't catch it as well yet. They have been exposed to it for just as long as the pony.
I've made up my mind to call the vet on monday either way. I still like to do my own research too tho! |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 11, 2001 - 10:46 am: | |
Shipping Fever is a general term for any fever causing disease, usually upper respiratory, they get while being shipped. So Strangles, Rhinopnuemanitis and Flu and qualify. Sharon all your other questions are answered in the individual articles on the specific diseases, if after studying them you still have questions you know where to come.
DrO |
Sharon Thomas (Sefiroth)
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 11, 2001 - 4:11 pm: | |
Dr. O,
I did go back and read the articles alot more carefully. I did find my answers. Also, my friend, who gave me and my horse a ride to the auction last weekend, took a horse of hers as well. He come down sick too, but worse. He went off his feed, depression, snotty nose, and spread it to a good portion of her sizeable herd. She already had her vet out who diagnosed it as the rhinovirus. My guys seem to have gotten the same thing. Only with out the depression and going off the feed.
So I will just continue with rest and normal feeding. The young gelding's nose is already starting to clear up, the pony is the same, and now this morning my 25 yr old gelding had some snots showing up. *sigh* Guess I'll just have to wait it out. And keep my vet's phone number handy!
Thanks again guys!!
~Sharon |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM (Dro)
| | Posted on Monday, Feb 12, 2001 - 11:38 am: | |
Don't forget, a little bit of bute can make these guys feel a lot better so they continue to eat and drink.
DrO |
Sandi (Skeller)
| | Posted on Saturday, Jun 9, 2001 - 10:02 pm: | |
I just brought my horse and daughter home from 4-H camp and learned they had about 5 cases of shipping fever (total 40 horses at the camp). We actually learned about this through the grapevine, no official notice. Flu is suspected due to the high fever (105) and rapid spread. Later found out one horse was a new purchase within the last week, initially came down with the syptoms and the rest is history. Word of mouth was that the local horse vet did come out and attend to some of the horses.
I checked and the horses around my horses stall were ok at the moment so initially I wasn't worried. Plus, everyone was going home (most of us only had a 20 minute haul) While unloading back at the barn our trainer called from another horse show. She had heard that ALL the horses had been quarantined. (boy information spread faster than the virus and across states. Of course by the time it reached them the story was that everyone had it) she of course wondered why we were back at the barn.
I understand her concerns because she has 10 horses on the show string that could be easily affected. But the two horses that went to camp were already back at the barn and the hauler gone.
Upon questioning my daughter I found out she'd been helping braid a pony that had the symptoms (mostly coughing). I'm now worried that she's passed it on to our mare. What is really upsetting is upon questioning her the people in charge did discuss the problem and proper prevention with the kids. (it should have been a big help to us and a learning situation for them). It appears to have started on Thursday and the end of camp was Saturday. A lot of time to spread this around.
Are there any additional precautions I can take now that my horse is back at the barn? I've instructed my kids not to touch any of the other horses until we make sure my mare's ok. Should we be using soap and water on our hands or something stronger. (since it's viral, not bacterial, I'm wondering).
My plans right now are stall rest for a couple of days and watch her for symptoms.
Thanks for the article, it was helpful, especially about distinguishing when to consider antibiotics. Sandi |
Sandi (Skeller)
| | Posted on Sunday, Jun 10, 2001 - 11:06 am: | |
I'm also trying to figure out what the incubation period is for an URI. Unfortunately my horse won't be able to be turned out until we determine she's "safe" in order to prevent this from spreading. What's a safe margin for coming in contact with other horses? Sandi |
Penner
Member
Username: Penner
Post Number: 87
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 4:02 pm: | |
I just bought a horse that was shipped to me 1100 miles (1st time I ever bought a horse other than locally). He now probably has shipping fever & I wanted to share these things I found about it to all of you - so that maybe you can help prevent it in your horses. I am disgusted with the shipper - he did all of these things wrong. They had assured me my horse would be treated well.
LIMIT STRESS WHEN SHIPPING HORSES
by Bob Mowery, Ph. D. Extension Horse Commodity Coordinator North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Results from several research studies in the United States and Great Britain have provided insight into the effect of transportation on the health and performance of your horse.
Research indicates that trips over twelve hours in duration create the greatest stress on a horse. Dehydration, reduced immune response, respiratory infections, fatigue and reduced muscle function are typically seen as a result of stress in transported horses. Several of the following blood parameters are used to evaluate equine stress in research studies:
cortisol - a hormone that increases with increased stress
glucose/lactate - indicates muscle activity and fatigue
white blood cells - increased levels indicate an active immune system
hematocrit and protein - increased levels indicate dehydration
Blood parameters increase immediately after loading, remain high throughout transportation and take at least 24 hours to return to near normal levels. Researchers believe the loading portion of a trip is the most stressful. Horses that are trained to load with minimal effort have consistently lower blood parameters, which indicate less stress.
To prevent dehydration during transport, horses should be offered water every four hours. Prior to transport, feed the last concentrate mix as a mash to combat potential dehydration during long trips. Add one to two gallons of water to the concentrate mix. Let the mash sit for 10 minutes to permit expansion of the grain prior to feeding. Grain or concentrate mixes should not be provided while traveling or immediately after a trip. Hay, wetted to reduce dust, may be fed free choice during transport. Hay intake helps to retain water in the horse's gastrointestinal tract, which further combats dehydration.
Under ideal hauling conditions horses can safely be hauled 400 miles or eight hours without a break. Surveys indicate that horses hauled in excess of 500 miles without a break encounter more stress-related problems. Ideally horses should be rested, prior to doing intense work, at least one week after long trips involving several consecutive days. Plan a recovery period into a long trip.
Driving technique and properly maintained towing vehicles and trailers will reduce stress on horses. Driving at a smooth consistent rate of speed in trailers with a leaf spring suspension and low-pressure radial tires provides the smoothest ride. Reducing speed to 55 mph or lower when hauling on rough roads reduces the vibration felt on the horses's legs. Vehicles with exhaust pipes exiting out the rear of the vehicle directly at the front of the trailer deposit significantly more exhaust fumes inside the trailer and should be avoided. The inside and roof trailer vents should remain open to maximize air flow, but a direct draft of cold air should be avoided. The inside of trailers should be cleaned on a regular basis to remove feces, urine, hay dust, and eliminate other pathogens. If transported with the rear trailer doors open, debris from the floor will be circulated throughout the trailer and will increase the likelihood of respiration problems.
Shipping fever remains one of the most frequent and severe problems resulting from transportation. It is a form of pleuropneumonia characterized by excess fluid and infection, caused by streptococcus zooepidemicus.
Streptococcus bacteria are normally found in the horse's upper respiratory tract. The presence of a strong, healthy immune system prevents the movement of the bacteria into the lower respiratory tract. The transported horse's challenged immune system permits the movement of bacteria into vital airways, resulting in shipping fever. Unfortunately, since there are so many different variants of the streptococcus zooepidemicus bacteria, shipping fever vaccines are not effective. Research also indicates that dry nasal passages, that occur with moderate dehydration, and an elevated head position, with tips of the ears consistently higher than the withers, contribute to the development of shipping fever. Horses need to be watered frequently and be able to lower their heads to rid their nasal passages of the dust and pathogens frequently found in trailers.
Research has not shown an advantage of reduced stress in horses hauled in either a front load or slant load trailer. When shipped untied, 65% of the horses in a University of California study faced to the rear of the trailer and 35% faced forward. No horse choose the stand at a slant. Horses that are untied and permitted an option to choose their own stance direction showed less stress and recovered quicker from the trip than horses that were tied in a specific direction.
Additional research is needed to determine the ideal amount of recovery time required after long trips. Good management practices, advance training on loading, safe driving practices, and common sense will help ensure a safe ride and a healthy horse.
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Preventing "Shipping Fever"
"Shipping fever" is a serious and potentially fatal disease in horses. The medical name is pleuropneumonia [ploo-row-new-moan-ya], which means infection of the lungs and chest (pleural) cavity. It occurs most often in horses that have been transported long distances (over 500 miles in one trip), hence the common name "shipping fever."
Signs of pleuropneumonia:
depression - mild at first, but may become severe as the disease progresses
disinterest in food - at first the horse may just pick at its food or eat grass and hay but refuse its grain; as the infection worsens the horse may go off feed completely
fever - typically over 102 F, sometimes over 104 F; the horse's temperature may be only slightly elevated at first, and may actually be normal if the horse has been given "bute," Banamine, or other similar drug
increased respiratory rate - mild at first, but becomes more obvious as the disease progresses and lung function deteriorates
abnormal respiratory pattern - breathing is labored, but the horse takes shallow breaths, often with the nostrils flared; in some cases the horse stands with its elbows held out
stiffness - usually because of chest pain and general "malaise" (feeling bad), but may also be due to laminitis ("founder"), which is a fairly common complication of severe pleuropneumonia
colic-like discomfort and restlessness - not seen in every case, it is likely due to chest pain
nasal discharge - uncommon and usually slight when present; a foul odor to the breath is a bad sign
coughing - uncommon; when present, the cough tends to be soft and "wet" sounding; coughing is painful, so the horse tries to suppress the cough
The first signs (which may be subtle) can appear during travel, within the first 24 hours after transport, or up to 2 weeks later.
Two factors are important in the development of shipping fever:
1. Head position
keeping the horse's head at or above chest level for several hours at a time
dramatically increases the number of bacteria in the horse's lower airways
When the horse's head is up, clearance of inhaled particles, mucus, and bacteria from the lungs is decreased. As a result, bacteria that travel down into the lungs from the upper airway (nasal passages and throat) accumulate and multiply in the lungs.
Preventing a horse from lowering its head for 24 hours is enough to cause pneumonia on its own.
in addition, the stress of long-distance transport decreases immune function within the lung for several days
A double whammy - not only are there more bacteria in the lungs, the lungs are less able to deal with them.
2. Particles and other irritants in the horse's air space
dust from hay and bedding materials (e.g. shavings)
Circulation of air through the trailer or truck compartment picks up particles from the floor and the hay net and moves them into the horse's breathing space.
Dust particles and mold spores cause airway inflammation, which causes constriction of the small airways (bronchospasm) and excess mucus production - an excellent environment for bacteria.
exhaust fumes, ammonia from urine, and other airway irritants
These irritants can initiate or aggravate airway inflammation.
Preventing Pleuropneumonia
Pleuropneumonia can quickly become a complex, expensive, medically challenging problem that may have long-term consequences on a horse's health and athletic ability. It is far easier to prevent pleuropneumonia than to treat it successfully. Below are some tips for preventing pleuropneumonia:
1. Keep your horses properly vaccinated against respiratory diseases - influenza, "rhino" (equine herpes virus [EHV] types 1 and 4), and strangles (depending on risk).
Viral respiratory infections compromise the lung's defenses for several weeks and make the lung more prone to secondary bacterial infection. As viral infections are spread most readily when horses congregate (e.g. at shows and other competitions), it is particularly important to keep horses that travel frequently and mix with others current on the viral respiratory vaccines.
2. Horses in good physical condition (fit, and not overweight or underweight) are less likely to become ill, or are more likely to survive the illness.
3. Keep a sensible competition and transport schedule (i.e. don't overdo it!)
4. Avoid transporting horses long distances in hot weather.
5. Avoid transporting horses with respiratory problems (however mild the problem may seem).
6. Do not feed hay during travel, or soak it thoroughly beforehand (and again during travel if it dries out). Also, do not use loose bedding materials, such as shavings, on the floor of the truck or trailer.
7. Do not leave the engine idling for long periods while the horses are loaded, as exhaust fumes can build up in the horse's air space.
8. Modify the truck or trailer compartment so that the horse can get its head down during travel (see below).
9. If such modifications are not possible, limit the time on the truck or trailer to 8 hours/day.
Let the horse get its head down for several hours after each leg of the journey; e.g. allow the horse to graze or put its feed and water at ground level. Short stop-overs (e.g. 30 minutes to 1 hour) are not enough to improve clearance of bacteria from the lung.
It is also worth noting that treatment with penicillin or other antibiotics before or during shipping does not necessarily protect the horse from pleuropneumonia.
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Holly Wood
Member
Username: Hwood
Post Number: 325
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 19, 2003 - 10:09 pm: | |
Dear Penner,
I checked your profile because I was hoping to e-mail you privately, but I will have to post my question here.
First of all, thank you for posting the excellent article on shipping and shipping fever. I sent it on to several friends and farms that ship horses from around the country. I also sent it to several shipping companies and individuals. I am so pleased that the fellow I will be using to ship my horses from Vermont to Colorado next month follows the practices outlined in the article . . . .this guy is great and really puts the horses first.
My question is (and you don't have to answer this on the site if you don't want to) who was the shipper you used to ship your horse? I hope you made him/her/them aware of your displeasure and sent them a copy of the article.
You can e-mail me at: hollysjubilee@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Holly |
Penner
Member
Username: Penner
Post Number: 88
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 2:54 pm: | |
Hi Holly,
I emailed you.. |
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