Vaccination

Vaccination can be used as part of a strangles management program. It can form a critical element in preventing strangles outbreaks on yards but it is not a substitute for good stable management and disease awareness.

A vaccine is now available to reduce clinical signs and the incidence of lymph node abscesses. Developed by MSD Animal Health, Europe’s leading manufacturer of equine vaccines. The vaccine is now available to help owners and veterinarians manage this disease.

The vaccine can be used in horses from just four months of age and is administered by injecting a very small volume of vaccine into the upper lip of the horse. In trials undertaken by MSD Animal Health, horses tolerated this innovative application method well.

Where vaccination is required and to minimise the risk of strangles taking hold, all horses in a yard should be vaccinated.

This information is brought to you by MSD Animal Health, manufacturers of Equilis® StrepE. Equilis® StrepE can only be prescribed by your veterinary surgeon whose advice should be sought. Further information on Equilis StrepE can be found here.

A horse’s vaccination program should be based on the risk of disease for the horse, the yard and also the economic consequences of an outbreak. In general, the more a horse is in contact with other horses the greater its risk of contracting strangles.

Discuss the appropriate vaccination schedule for your horse with your veterinary surgeon

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