Strangles Prevention
Strangles is a highly contagious infection that plagues horses, and it needs to be controlled. The transmission of strangles is very easy, and its effects on horses are very serious. Vaccines should be required for all horses. Measures need to be taken to control the spread of strangles immediately. Strangles is the common term for streptococcus equi bacterium (Small). The name strangles comes from the effects of the bacteria. The streptococcus bacteria cause abscesses in the throat of a horse(Kunz). These abscesses grow so large they cut off the trachea and strangle the horse(Kunz 1). Infection in one to five percent of cases may spread to other organs of the body(Kunz 1). The infection of other organs is called Bastard Strangles (Prescott 2). This type of strangles can create a brain abscess that has the potential to rupture, which would cause immediate death in a horse. The Animal Health Trust states, "The disease (strangles) can be severe and prolonged with up to ten percent of cases dying of complications,"(C
This is not that hard of a regulation to enforce because it would go right along with what is already being done to help prevent the spread of other diseases. A horse may build up immunities to strangles, but first it has to contract the bacteria. The requirement of strangles vaccination would first and foremost help protect the horses of responsible horse owners from contracting the strangles bacteria from a careless horse owner that failed to vaccinate their horse. Kel Small, of Australia, states that, "All horses should be on a regular vaccination program,"(1). It is evident that the destruction caused by strangles can spread easily. The vaccines available can help protect a horse with strangles form getting Bastard Strangles, the more severe condition (Equivac 1). Horses can contract strangles a number of ways. Mandatory vaccination is the easiest and most effective way to achieve nullification of streptococcus equi acting on horses. And, to hit a closer point, Rabies cases are very rarely seen because animals are required to get vaccinated. The main distribution of the bacteria is by nose discharges and burst abscesses, therefore anything an infected horse is in contact with has the bacteria (Small 1). The Streptococcus Equi bacteria is hardy and can live in straw for months and on any other object for periods of time (Horses in the News 4). History has shown that vaccinating can prevent the spread of deadly bacteria. The spread of strangles will only continue to get worse until a full epidemic is underway if its spread isn't halted.
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Acceptance Essays
