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UPDATES 12 September 2008

UPDATES 19 September 2008 

**Attention: Strangles Outbreak Canterbury** 

Mountainview Equine would like to inform our clients that there have been 10 confirmed cases of “Strangles” in the

Christchurch area in the last couple of weeks. This is the first time Strangles has been reported in the South Island for 

well over a decade. At the time of this bulletin the clinical cases are confined to racing stables. It is the intention of
this bulletin to educate horse owners, ask them to be vigilant as to the clinical signs of Strangles, consider vaccination
of susceptible animals and maintain good hygiene practices while working with horses.

Strangles is a contagious bacterial disease causing upper respiratory infection and abscessation. Usually affected 
horses will be off their feed with high fevers and have a copious yellow nasal discharge that progresses to swelling and
abscessation of the lymph nodes of the head and neck. The contagious aspect of the disease is usually during the nasal
discharge portion of the clinical signs. Incubation is from 3 - 21 days. In very rare cases the disease can cause internal 
abscesses and death. In the vast majority of cases, most horses recover following antibiotics, anti-inflammatory
medications and rest with no affects on athletic performance. The major affect to horse owners and their horses is the
prolonged length of recovery from the disease (often 2-3 months), the cost of veterinary care and medication and the
contagious aspect of the disease potentially spreading to other horses on a farm or stable. In some cases, horses can
remain carriers of the disease, illustrating no ongoing clinical signs, but remaining infectious to other horses.

Despite a few media releases and email banter, Strangles remains a rare disease. It has existed in New Zealand for
years although mainly in the North Island. The disease while contagious, is completely unlike the recent influenza
virus outbreak in Australia. The disease requires in most cases, direct horse to horse contact, although can be spread
via contaminated tack, covers, clothing or floats. The disease mainly affects young horses, but we might consider all
horses in the South Island as a bit of a naïve population. The disease is unlikely to manifest in backyard horses or
farms where horses never leave the property. The population of horses at greatest risk are those mares going to stud,
properties with large numbers of horses, race horses, or those horses competing in events with large numbers of horses
travelling in from other areas.

The disease can be prevented by strict attention to contact with other horses, good hygiene between horses and
vaccination. Strangles vaccination can be given alone or in combination with other vaccinations such as Tetanus and
Herpes. Primary vaccination for the disease is three injections, two weeks apart, then annually. Vaccination will not
cause the disease. Negative affects of the vaccine are usually only a very mild and transient injection site reaction
(local inflammation). Please be aware that the vaccine in not considered to be 100% effective.

Vaccination costs are minimal and including veterinary professional services/administration for the complete course
are approximately $113.00 for Strangles alone, or $145.00 for Strangles/Tetanus (GST inclusive but not including
mileage charges).

Please call to discuss your horse and farm situation. Vaccination supplies, due to sudden demand, are subject to
availability but we are attempting to source as many doses as required. Orders can be taken by phone by contacting
one of our office staff or veterinarians.

Dr. Glenn Beeman, BSc., DVM., MACVSc (Equine Dentistry)
Mountain View Equine
03-307-1111