Page 657 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

yard may receive different treatments.

VetBooks.ir Penicillin is the antibiotic of choice but others are also effective. When the diagnosis is

confirmed by culturing the bacterium from discharges, the sensitivity to different antibiotics
is usually tested. Horses that are known to be allergic to penicillin can be treated with

potentiated sulphonamides unless the infection is resistant to this drug.

Owner’s responsibilities

As soon as the disease is suspected, inform the owners of any in-contact horses and the yard

manager so they can take temperatures twice daily, keep the horses in quarantine and be
prepared to take immediate action. Neighbouring yards should be notified so they can be

vigilent and contact their veterinary surgeons.

Management of an outbreak

Bacteria are released into the environment when the horse coughs and in the discharges. Flies

can spread the disease, but it is most likely to be spread by direct contact. Since the disease is
acquired by inhalation and ingestion of the bacteria, isolation and hygiene are of paramount

importance.

HYGIENE MEASURES

• Isolate all infected horses.

• Where possible, a separate groom should nurse the sick animals.
• Protective clothing such as overalls, boots and disposable gloves should be worn and

used only in the infected stables.

• A bucket of disinfectant, e.g. Virkon S, and brush should be positioned outside each
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stable for cleaning boots when leaving the box. The bacterium is not killed by bleach.

• Separate feed and water buckets should be used and not taken outside the infected area

(not into the feed shed or to taps used for filling buckets of healthy horses). The buckets
should be scrubbed regularly as water troughs, buckets and damp areas are sites where
infection may persist in the environment. Feed and hay for the ill horses should be kept

separately.

• Contaminated bedding and swabs from cleaning up the discharges should be burned.
• Rugs, headcollars and the stable should be cleaned with an approved disinfectant (your

vet will recommend one) once the horse has recovered.