QUESTION: We travel all over with our horses. For years, we’ve heard about equine distemper, also known as strangles. Please tell us more about the strangles, how to prevent it, and what to do about it should one of our horses contract it.
Skip Kerns
Tampa, Florida

ANSWER: Equine distemper, also known as strangles, is a worldwide infectious disease caused by Strep. equi, a highly infectious bacterial organism. Yes, it’s a serious disease and can even lead to death. Most of the time, horses become extremely ill, and extensive nursing care is required. The disease is characterized by an upper respiratory (nose, pharynx, trachea) infection; in the adjacent lymph nodes, abscesses form that will burst and drain.

About strangles. Strangles is spread from horse to horse via inhalation. Or, your horse can ingest bacteria deposited on or in his surroundings. This disease is more prevalent under herd conditions, such as in stables or other gathering areas. Even though the disease is extremely contagious, most well-managed horses don’t contract it. Sick horses are easily recognized and usually too ill to be hauled, limiting their ability to spread the disease.

Strangles primarily strikes young horses, but can occur in horses of any age, especially those without previous infection or vaccinations. (Read on for more about vaccinations.)

Unfortunately, some sick animals will recover from strangle’s acute (severe) phase, but remain carriers for much longer; these horses account for most of the disease’s spread from location to location.

Preventing strangles. To help prevent strangles in your traveling horses, clean out guest stalls before using them, and avoid community water and feed sources. Empty water tanks, and allow them to dry completely before using. Thoroughly clean feed containers.

Observe other horses present, and avoid any that look sick or just appear to be under the weather. Keep in mind that your horses don’t have to come in direct contact with an infected horse; they just have to contact the same things the infected horse contacted.

Available vaccines aren’t widely used because of possible adverse side effects; they typically aren’t recommended for the home-bound horse. However, I do recommend vaccinating young horses that will be traveling, as well as any horse at risk for exposure.

Most effective is the intranasal vaccine, in which your veterinarian will place a non-infective form of the bacterial organism into your horse’s nose where the real bug would normally infect him; this procedure seems to provide better immunity than an injectible vaccine.

Strangles treatment. If you suspect your horse may have strangles, contact your veterinarian immediately. Early intervention may make the disease’s course much easier on your horse (and you), and will probably prevent a serious complication. There’s no cure for strangles; you and your vet can only provide supportive therapy. Even the use of antibiotics is controversial. Early drainage of abscesses will speed recovery, as well as reduce the chances of dangerous bacteremia (in which the organism spills into the bloodstream).

QUESTION: I’m 16 years old and have ridden horses my whole life. I’d like to become an equine veterinary technician. I’ve heard that vet-tech schools focus on small-animal medicine. I want to work with an equine veterinarian. Should I go to vet-tech school or just learn by doing? 
Gigi Howe
Little Rock, Arkansas   

ANSWER: Gigi, your question is a very good one. Certified Veterinary Technician programs, just like veterinary school, offer a general curriculum covering small animals, food animals, and equines. After becoming certified, a person interested solely in equine practice would benefit greatly from attending a one-year certificate Equine Management program offered by junior colleges across the country.

Also, I urge you to join a new organization, the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians, a sister organization of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. To join, log on to www.aaevt.org, or contact President/Executive Director Deborah Reeder, RVT, (214) 505-1548; dreeder@cox.net. The contacts and support this organization provides will give you a boost in your quest to become an equine veterinary technician. You’ll even find job opportunities on the website.

I wish you good fortune in your pursuit of a career in a most exciting and rewarding field in veterinary medicine.