Kent Equine Hospital

MARCH 2025 STRANGLES VACCINATION AMNESTY 🐴💉 FAQs? 🐴Does the vaccine cause any side effects? It can result in local heat, pain and swelling at the injection site and can cause mild fever, depression and inappetence, similar to flu vaccine. 🐴How effective is the Strangles vaccine? A recently published article discussed data from an outbreak in Sweden Over 70% of unvaccinated horses showed clinical signs OVer 90% of vaccinated horses remained clinically healthy 🐴Why should I add another vaccine to the list of vaccines my horse has? Identifying if your horse has Strangles with various diagnostic tests and treating a case costs money, causes distress to your horse and can take over 3 weeks sometimes much longer for recovery, or until quarantine measures are lifted. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of your horse contracting the disease. If you are out competing or mixing with horses and friends from other yards, this gives you much more peace of mind. But remember, strict biosecurity and adherence to good hygiene practices is ALWAYS the mainstay. Vaccination is now an additional armoury to our toolbox iof managing Strangles. #stranglesvaccine #stranglesvaccination #preventativehealthcare #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #kentequinehospital #independentequinevets #independentequinevetsinkent

MARCH 2025 STRANGLES VACCINE AMNESTY 🐴💉 FAQs? 🐴Will the vaccine induce clinical disease in horses? NO - this is not a live vaccine so it cannot cause clinical disease 🐴Will I still be able to compete/ride my horse immediately after vaccination? It is generally recommended not to exercise horses in the two to three days following vaccination. This also depends on whether the horse shows a rise in body temperature as a reaction to vaccination or not. Temporary fever after vaccination is not uncommon as this is part of the immune system activation. 🐴Can the vaccine be used in pregnant mares? Yes it has been safely used in the field at 5,6 and 9 months of pregnancy 🐴Can the Strangles vaccine be used in competition horses? YES but to low risk of side effects do not give within 7 days of competition #stranglesvaccine #stranglesvaccination #preventativehealthcare #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #kentequinehospital #independentequinevets

MARCH 2025 STRANGLES VACCINATION AMNESTY 🐴💉 FAQs? 🐴Can vaccination cause false positives on serum ELISA blood tests? NO - the vaccine we use has DIVA (differentiate infected from vaccinated individuals) capability - it will NOT test positive unless your horse has been infected with Strep. Equi previously 🐴Can the new Strangles vaccine be given with my other annual Flu and tetanus vaccinations? YES but we give the vaccines at different sites 🐴What is the vaccine schedule? 1st vaccination from 5 months old 2nd vaccination 4 weeks later 3rd vaccination 6 months after 1st vaccine Boosters given every 12 months or sooner if increased risk #stranglesvaccine #stranglesvaccination #preventativehealthcare #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #Kentequinehospital #independentequinevets #independentequinevetsinkent

MARCH 2025 STRANGLES VACCINATION AMNESTY 🐴💉 FAQ? Can I vaccinate my horse if my yard has an index case of Strangles? There are some guidelines with respect to vaccination in an outbreak or high-risk situation: Horses with clinical signs and those in contact should not be vaccinated Vaccinated horses that have not been in contact with cases: Last dose >two months: booster doses will maximise immunity Last dose

MARCH 2025 STRANGLES VACCINATION AMNESTY 🐴💉 FAQ? Which horses are most at risk of Strangles? Young and old horses are at the highest risk of severe disease if they become infected with Strep. equi. Vaccination protects these susceptible horses from potential introductions of Strep. equi. Vaccination is also highly recommended for: Horses before competition, sales or possible exposure events Horses in an area with known outbreaks of strangles Vaccinating all horses on the yard raises herd immunity, and decreases the risk of the disease spreading. #stranglesvaccine #stranglesvaccination #preventativehealthcare #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #Kentequinehospital #independentequinevets #independentequinevetsinkent

MARCH 2025 STRANGLES VACCINE AMNESTY🐴💉 Outbreak management is essential and includes a combination of Strict Biosecurity and Vaccination. To find out more visit: https://www.dechra.co.uk/equine/vaccines/strangles To book your vaccine, get calling NOW to reserve your slot in March and your second vaccine will be absolutely FREE!! #stranglesvaccination #stranglesvaccine #preventativehealthcare #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #Kentequinehospital #independentequinevets #independentequinevetsinkent

MARCH 2025 STRANGLES VACCINE AMNESTY 🐴💉 HELP ERADICATE STRANGLES! Who Should consider the Strangles Vaccination? 🐴Owners of horses that regularly attend competitions 🐴Stud farms accepting walk-in mares 🐴Equestrian businesses such as trainers yards, livery yards, rehabilitation centres where business closure would be catastrophic 🐴Yards with frequent new horse arrivals 🐴Premises where maintaining strict biosecurity is difficult To book your slot, call our helpful Client Care Team on 01622 737884 and take advantage of your second vaccine in the course completely FREE!! #strangles #stranglesvaccine #stranglesvaccination #preventativehealthcare #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #Kentequinehospital #independentequinevetsinkent

MARCH 2025 STRANGLES VACCINE AMNESTY🐴💉 How is Strangles Transmitted? Strangles is transmitted by direct horse to horse contact. It can also be transmitted by FOMITES! Fomites are objects that transmit infection and in the case of Strangles, include contaminated equipment, shared water buckets and feed bowls and people like owners, vets, farriers, dental technicians, trainers, physios etc.... What is a Carrier? Approximately 1 in 10 horses affected by Strangles become carriers after they recover. The bacteria reside in their guttural pouches and at times of stress, bacteria are shed periodically without any clinical signs, transmitting infection to in-contact horses. For the month of March, we are running a Strangles Vaccine Amnesty. Book your first vaccine in the course and receive your second vaccine absolutely FREE!! Call our helpful and friendly Client Care Team on 01622 737884 and book your slot now! #strangles #stranglesvaccine #stranglesvaccination #preventativehealthcare #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #kentequinehospital #independentequinevets #independentequinevetsinkent

WEEKEND SURGICAL CASE STUDY A huge thank you to our fabulous Independent equine practice colleagues in East Sussex, RW Equine, for referring this case of a penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) to us for surgery. Our RCVS Recognised and EBVS European Internal Medicine Specialist, Katie Snalune, has a specific interest in Oncology cases, and sees many cases of sarcoid, melanoma and SCC every year, as well as being a RCVS Certificate Holder in Equine Soft Tissue Surgery. This lovely horse's owner made the difficult but right decision to go ahead with surgery to remove this mass. Whilst this may bring tears to the eyes to our male followers!!, this procedure works particularly well when the tumour is confined to the tip of the pen*s. A procedure called the William's technique is used to create a new urethral opening on the ventral aspect of the penile shaft and remove the glans pen*s along with the entire tumour with clear margins. This will hopefully give this lovely boy a prolonged life. It can be difficult to pick up on these masses early, so for all the gelding owners out there, make sure to check their pen*s regularly, particularly if your horse is being sedated for another procedure like dentistry, to enhance your chance of detecting masses early, and get your vet to check. Monitoring them is NEVER a good idea. Acting early when the tumour is small makes surgery easier and prognosis far better. This lovely boy is back home recovering well. #equinesurgicalreferrals #equinesurgery #equineoperatingsuite #equinescc #squamouscellcarcinoma #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #kentequinehospital #independentequinevets #independentequinevetsinkent

On International Women’s Day we celebrate the accomplishments of women worldwide and the remarkable impact they have on society. We thank all the incredible women on our team who through their dedication and hard work, raise each other up, to be better every day. #internationalwomensday #thankyou #team #teamwork #raiseeachotherup #independentvets #independentequinevets #independentequinevetsinkent #kentequinehospital

The Strangles Vaccine: Help Eradicate Strangles! Throughout the month of March, we are running a promotion on the Strangles vaccine. The vaccine is £50 plus visit fee (can be booked on a zone day or Four4free visit scheme), and you get the second vaccine completely FREE!!! Keep an eye out for more posts on Strangles over this month and don't hesitate to call and speak to any of the team about the Strangles vaccine. #strangles #stranglesvaccine #stranglesvaccination #preventativehealthcare #PreventionIsBetterThanCure #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #kentequinehospital #independentequinevets #independentequinevetsinkent

KENT EQUINE MEDICINE SPECIALIST SERVICE @kentequinehospital This lovely horse was seen by our Internal Medicine Specialist in mid February with a prolonged history of a cloudy eye and blepharospasm, that had failed to respond to treatment for ulcers. Ophthalmic examination diagnosed an Immune Mediated keratitis and Panuveitis. The dedicated owner worked hard with the team at KEH to administer topical and oral medications and 2 week's later, this lovely boy was feeling so much better. Whilst there are still many chronic changes in the eye, the horse is so much more comfortable and the owner is continuing to work hard with ongoing management. If you feel your horse needs a Specialist Internal Medicine service then please contact the friendly reception team who can arrange a referral or appointment with our Internal Medicine Specialist. #kentequinemedicineservice #kentequinemedicinespecialistservice #kentequinemedicineandsurgery #kentequinehospital #independentequinevetsinkent