Well, unfortunately strep equi (strangles - yikes - hate that name) is making its way around our boarding barn. My mare got a mild case - finished 10 days of antibiotics yesterday. She was the 3rd to show mild symptoms (some mucous... but no cough, swollen lymph nodes, no loss of appetite) - the BO decided to have a culture run since this was the third occurrence. and it was positive. Several more horses have come down with it, but so far no serious effects.
Anyway, timing is unfortunate - I was just getting ready to move her to my friend's place for the summer so we can ride together. The vet advises no horses leave or come to the property for another month. I'm taking it seriously and am going to wait to move her (not worth risking her horses, especially the young and old girls).
So, the vet has advised that starting in about 2 weeks we can get 3 cultures done 3 days apart and send for a DNA test - and this should give her the all clear (at least we could be reasonably sure).
I trust the BO (they are being proactive and up front about this), and the vet. I would like your opinions though - is this the best protocol? should I wait longer before getting the next set of swabs or is 2 weeks after completion of antibiotics good? Does it matter that other horses are still coming down with it (one yesterday)?
I think my mare is perfectly fine - I'm just in a quandary about how not to spread it, but still get on with life.
Anyway, timing is unfortunate - I was just getting ready to move her to my friend's place for the summer so we can ride together. The vet advises no horses leave or come to the property for another month. I'm taking it seriously and am going to wait to move her (not worth risking her horses, especially the young and old girls).
So, the vet has advised that starting in about 2 weeks we can get 3 cultures done 3 days apart and send for a DNA test - and this should give her the all clear (at least we could be reasonably sure).
I trust the BO (they are being proactive and up front about this), and the vet. I would like your opinions though - is this the best protocol? should I wait longer before getting the next set of swabs or is 2 weeks after completion of antibiotics good? Does it matter that other horses are still coming down with it (one yesterday)?
I think my mare is perfectly fine - I'm just in a quandary about how not to spread it, but still get on with life.