Page 656 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Ruptured abscesses and those which the vet has lanced should be flushed out twice daily
•
with a dilute povidone-iodine solution or dilute hydrogen peroxide.
VetBooks.ir NURSING CARE

Good nursing is essential. Nasal discharge should be wiped away with cotton wool and warm
®
water as often as necessary. It may help to apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline ) around the nose
or abscess after cleaning to prevent the skin becoming sore.

Medication

NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as flunixin meglumine, phenylbutazone or

ketoprofen may be used early in the course of the disease. These lower the horse’s
temperature and reduce the pain and soft tissue swelling associated with the abscesses.

THE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS

Antibiotics are not normally used once the abscesses are forming. If given at this stage, they
can delay the maturation and rupture of the abscesses and so prolong the course of the

disease.

However, antibiotics may be used in the following situations.
• Horses that have been exposed to the infection but are not showing any signs are

sometimes treated prophylactically. This strategy is only effective if the horse can then be
kept away from potential sources of infection. However, the efficacy of this is debatable,

especially as antibiotics should only be given when strictly necessary. If the infection is
already being incubated, it may prolong and complicate the course of the disease.

• Where large numbers of horses are kept in close proximity and blanket medication is
impractical, temperatures should be taken twice daily. If horses are given antibiotics as

soon as their temperature begins to rise, this may limit progression of the disease to full
blown strangles, but again may complicate the course of the disease.

• If the horse has a very high temperature, is depressed and anorexic or has difficulty
breathing, then antibiotics are likely to be used. Each case will be considered

individually.
• Any horse developing life-threatening complications will be treated with antibiotics.

Their use will also be considered in any situation where factors such as the age of the
horse and the severity of the condition give cause for concern. Thus horses in the same