Can my horse infect other horses with strangles if he was boarded on a farm that had an outbreak?

Adele: Can my horse infect other horses with strangles if he was boarded on a farm that had an outbreak?
The outbreak was a month ago and infected horses are almost recovered. My horse did not get sick, but can he be a carrier? And if so, how long would he need to be quarantined before leaving?
My horse is 18 yrs old. If he has an immunity to strangles, can he still pass the organism to other horses, or does his immune system destroy it so he is not a carrier?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Saddle Sore
It is always a good idea to isolate any horses that have come into contact with the infected horse, since the signs of the disease often manifest themselves days to weeks after the initial infection.
Your veterinarian can perform a swab of the nasal passages, throat, or abscess of the suspect animal in order to test for the Streptococcus equi bacteria.
I hope this helps =)

Answer by Rodeogurl
YES, YES, YES.
Any horse can be a carrier of strangles without showing signs or symptoms of the disease. If you are wanting to move your horse off the property then you have to wait until all horses have been recovered for at least 6 weeks. The organizim can be passed on from infected horses for up to six weeks after showing no signs of illness. Strangles can also live in the ground, on fence posts, etc for up to 6 months after an outbreak. So make sure that you vaccinate your horse and watch him carefully for any change in mucus production, swelling under the jaw, temp change etc. Bastard strangles can also be around the barn and passed along to other horses (this is when the strangles infection is internal and their is no swelling of the lymph nodes under the jaw.
Please just be careful and make sure you take all necesary precautions to prevent your horse and any other horse he may come into contact with from contracting the illness.
It more often will affect young and old horses that have never been exposed to the disease before; if you have a middle aged horse or older horse that has been in contact with strangles then often they will have built up a natural defense to it.
Good Luck

Answer by Amz
YES he definatly can be a carrier. He could be harbouring the disease but not be ill from it.

I would call the vet and ask for their advice.

Answer by horsefanforever
Yes he can be a carrier and he needs to be isolated immediately. He could pass it on to others so be very cautious.

Answer by warner.michelle
Yes! Give him a booster and call your vet before moving. Also many barns in my area will never accept a horse that has been at a barn where there was strangles. Our outbreaks have been horrible, and once it happens it gets in the soil and there is almost nothing you can do about it. Good luck!

Answer by Tom M
Yes he can be a carrier and he needs to be isolated until you can get a vet to look at him. Remember your horse is a living creature. These living creatures DEPEND on YOU to do the right things. If in doubt always get him checked out by a vet. All horse people should use good common sense and remember that these animal DEPEND on YOU.

Answer by LBentforLeather
He could be actively infectious for as much as six weeks from the last contact. Horses can become infected from pasture grazed by an infected individual for several weeks AFTER.

“Both intramuscular and intranasal vaccines are available. Isolation of new horses for 4 to 6 weeks, immediate isolation of infected horses, and disinfection of stalls, water buckets, feed troughs, and other equipment will help prevent the spread of strangles. As with any contagious disease, handwashing is a simple and effective tool” Wiki

Answer by Ashley Cutting & Reining
yes..

Answer by streetwise_religion
well were the other horse’s at the barn quarantined while they were sick? horses are usually quarantined for about a month with strangles. Get a vet check first. If he isn’t showing any signs, you should be fine. Give it a few weeks, before moving, and keep a constant watch over his health.

Answer by Trainer0KidzNponies
Yes, regardless of anything the strangles will survive on the surface of the horse’s objects/brushes/feed/his coat/mouth/etc.

Go to your local tractor supply or other tack store and purchase a sanatation wash that you can spray in his stall, buckets, etc.

He needs Isolation, clean EVERYTHING he has ever touched and follow the directions on the disinfectant. Maek sure it will help kill strangles.

Quarintee for at least 1 month, disinfect weekly, clean bowls and buckets daily and disinfect the place you leave and the place you are going too

Good luck, it’s a tough sickness

Answer by marsha h
Yes, he can be a carrier and I have seen this actual situation. This is a very difficult question because the strangles virus can linger for years. There is going to be a risk to other farms for a long, long time. It isn’t a matter of quaranting him before leaving, more a matter of quaranting him upon arrival. Strangles can reoccur when new horses come in, I am sorry to say. There is a vaccine for strangles and I highly recommend it; be sure you are honest if you move to a new farm so they will know the history.

Answer by Colt L
Yes definitly

Answer by Tiffany
THIS IS VERY MUCH A YES! I’ve seen this before a few times at my local stable! Thats why at this stable they now have quarantine. No worries I asked the same thing!