Text Box: Strangles vaccine now available.   Now you can vaccinate your horse against strangles. After 12 years of research, animal health company Intervet has launched Equilis StrepEâ, an innovative new vaccine to help combat the disease.   Strangles is one of the most common bacterial infections of horses. Streptococcus equi, the organism responsible, is found throughout the world. Although the mortality rate is low (about 1%) the disease causes significant economic losses due to the prolonged recovery time and the quarantine measures needed to restrict the spread of the disease.   Strangles can occur in horses of any age, but younger horses are more susceptible. Signs include fever, depression and loss of appetite. The disease gets its name from the swelling of the glands of the head and neck, which can restrict the airway and make breathing laboured. Affected horses may have a purulent nasal discharge and cough. Abscesses under the jaw will often burst and discharge pus.   In the early stages of infection, a course of penicillin is usually effective provided there is no increase in size of the lymph nodes. Horses with abscesses require supportive treatment. Once the horse has recovered, Text Box:

Text Box: repeated swabbing and culture is necessary to demonstrate that it is no longer infected.   Although vaccines against strangles have been available abroad, they have not always been effective and have often produced unacceptable side effects. Recently, research has concentrated on identifying mutant strains of Strep equi, for use in a vaccine. The aim has been to find an organism sufficiently like the normal strain that it can stimulate immunity but lacking the disease-producing characteristics.   The strain of Streptococcus equi used for the new vaccine has been specially developed so that it is unable to multiply in animal tissues. This eliminates the risk of the vaccine producing the disease itself.   Maximum protection, for horses at high risk of strangles, is achieved by a two-dose initial course, followed by boosters at three-monthly intervals.  However, Text Box: research carried out by Intervet shows that six-monthly booster vaccinations are effective, even in the face of an outbreak. So one option for horses in medium-risk situations is to vaccinate every six months. But a single booster vaccination should be given promptly if an outbreak occurs and it has been more than three months since the last vaccination. There is generally no need to vaccinate horses in low risk situations.   An unusual feature of the new vaccine is the route of administration. The vaccine is given by injection into the inside of the upper lip. A fine needle is used which is apparently well tolerated. Vaccinated horses develop a swelling, up to 4-7 cm diameter, which lasts for 3-4 days.  The reaction is less pronounced with second and subsequent vaccinations. Despite the swelling, the scientists report that horses can be ridden and continue to eat and drink normally.   To help minimise the possibility of strangles affecting your yard it is important to maintain good stable management procedures, including: avoiding contact with horses of unknown origin making sure your yard doesn't become overcrowded keeping new horses to the yard in quarantine for a few weeks.   For more details about strangles, please contact the practice. Text Box: Understanding Urticaria   Urticaria (Hives) is the presence of multiple swellings over the skin surface. Each individual lump is a small accumulation of fluid and result in the overlying hairs appearing to stand on end. Urticaria can occur  as a one-off incident or as repeated episodes over time.   Identification of the underlying cause can be difficult.   Trigger factors include insect bites Text Box: and stings, feeds and additives, topical applications, pollen, dust, fungal and mould spores.   It is possible to take a blood sample to test for so called ‘allergens’ Text Box: to help identify the source of the problem if the condition occurs.     Most cases respond well to an intravenous injection of steroid. Persistent cases can be prescribed tablets to help control the condition.     Usually the cause of the condition can be associated with recent management or food changes and a minor readjustment may prevent recurrence.   Text Box: An example of Urticaria