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Strangles outbreak at Injune
4 Jul 2003
An outbreak of strangles at Injune was confirmed this week, so horse owners are being asked to take precautions. Roma Vet Clinic's Rod Howard said a small number of horses from the Injune area had been positively diagnosed with the highly infectious disease.
The condition spreads rapidly and is transmitted on equipment such as bridles, troughs and share buckets. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, nasal discharge and swelling of the lymph nodes. If untreated, the lymph nodes can rupture and burst.
If owners see any of these symptoms they should contact their vets. Treatment is with penicillin, but vaccinating at the beginning of an outbreak will reduce risks. Mr Howard said all horse owners should vaccinate annually for the disease and bi-annually if they travel with their horses frequently. Unfortunately though, he said, the vaccine is not 100 per cent guaranteed although it certainly reduces the incidence and severity of the disease.
Queensland Country Life, 3/7/03.
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