By Dr. Aaron Tangeman
Q : I bribe a fourth horse and will be trailering him from Texas to Ohio in July . My equine friends said to ensure he ’s had a strangles vaccine to prevent transport fever . What other precaution should I take ?
A : Your friends are mistaken that strangles , because of Streptococcus equi , is the sole case of shipping fever .
It is unacceptable to nail only one specific culprit bacteria , since both aerophilic and anaerobic bacteria are capable of causing upper and lower respiratory infections in equines . computer virus also pose a threat .
Nearly all animals are stressed during foresightful - space transport , peculiarly in hot and humid conditions , and prone to develop the symptoms associate with the terminal figure “ cargo ships pyrexia , ” or transport febricity .
Other concerns :
You should have the animal ’s attending veterinarian in Texas thoroughly try your horse cavalry short before begin his journeying . stay transport may be recommended if the horse has suffered a late respiratory transmission .
Vaccines should be administered on a well timed schedule . Consider the following for appropriateness as pauperism varies according to geographic location :
Transport stress can cause the knight to eat badly or become dehydrated .
Weight exit is common . To encourage the horse to eat and toast well , you may require to haul water the horse is accustomed to drink and put up its common food . Soaking the hay with water may help decrease inhaled dust . Stopping to walk the buck can minify tenseness and relaxation peg discomfort from route vibration .
Upon arrival , quarantine the knight and allow him enough prison term to rest .
Depressed affective behavior may indicate impending sickness . You should remain alert for signs of respiratory distress , include rhinal electric arc and coughing . The nature and frequency of manure and piss output are near indicators of your horse ’s wellness . A temperature above 102 level Fareignheight may argue overheating or infection and require veterinary aid .
diagnosing will be based upon physical examination . Decreased intimation sound , wheezing , or gurgling may be heard in the lung . Lab work may show elevate white origin cell count .
Other symptoms can admit :
Fever , difficult or shallow ventilation , and cough may ask the administration of NSAIDs , analgesics , broad - spectrum antibiotics , and other supportive aid to treat the respiratory infection .
By anticipating potential complications of ecstasy , you could identify and carry out the necessary precautions that will provide the safe possible transportation for your horse .
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Dr. Aaron Tangemanreceived his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University in 1998 and practices in Northeast Ohio .
