Rockwood Park stables closed after horse contracts highly contagious disease

The stables at Saint John's Rockwood Park are closed to the publicand wagon rides cancelled due to the presence of the highly contagious horse disease called strangles.

There is one confirmed caseof the bacterial respiratory infection and three suspected cases,said co-owner and operator LeesDoley.

That bringsthe total number of lab-confirmed cases in New Brunswick to three since strangles hit the province last month.

All three are "south of Fredericton," but in separate locations, said Nicole Wanamaker, manager of provincial veterinary services. Shedeclinedto reveal exactly where, citing privacy reasons.

Cases have also been reported inNova ScotiaandPrince Edward Island.

• Contagious horse disease hits New Brunswick, cancels equestrian events

Strangles cancause excess mucus, cough and fever in horsesas well as abscess swelling under thejaw and throat, obstructing the airway and making it difficult for them to chew and swallow.

They may become lethargic and have a reducedappetite.

The bacteriais primarily spread by direct contact between horses or shared environments, such as water troughs, but the bacteria can also be transferred via people's hands or clothing.

The infection does not affect people or other animals.

The actual number of cases of strangles in New Brunswick could be higher than three, said Wanamaker. Her office is waiting for the lab results on some other swab samples.

But strangles is not a reportable disease, so her office doesn't necessarily hear from private veterinarians who treat horses, she said.

In addition, it can take up to two weeks after exposure for an infected and contagioushorse to exhibit symptoms.

And even when they do, it can be mistaken for a cold or allergies.

Doley said she didn't think much of itwhen a new horse at RockwoodStablesdeveloped a runny nose.

"If wehadn't have had this horse checked [by a veterinarian], I would've thought she just had allergies," she said.

"And if someonehadn't have said to me, 'Have you heard that strangles is out there?' we probablywouldn't have called the vet.Iwouldn't have thought of that immediately.I mean horses, like kids, get runny noses all the time."

Now, she's got five of approximately 16 horses under quarantine, including the one confirmed case, three sick horses and another horse that was exposed to the sick horses, but isn't showing any symptoms.

"For the safety of the horses, we have decided to close the barn to the public," reads a sign posted on the stabledoor Monday.

The closure will remain in effect until the "flare up" across the Maritimes is under control, the notice states.

Strangles can be treated with antibiotics and most affected horses will recover within three or four weeks.

Doley said all of her sick horses have already improved.

"All the fevers are gone. All the runny noses are gone. None of them are coughing. They're all eating."

She's swabbing her horses every week, hoping to get negative results three consecutive times.

Only then will she reopen to the public, she said, noting this month will be a definite financial hit to herbusiness, which operates year-round on landleased from the City of Saint John.

Veterinarian Mitch Downey said the disease can be also be costly to treatand people working with animals must take precautions.

"Oftentimes, it's complete changing of clothing, footwear, bathing, washing diligently.Disinfecting all instruments, tools used on the premises," he said.

"It's very time-consuming but obviously very importantin terms of preventing spread of bacteria."

Otherbiosecuritymeasures recommended by the provinceinclude not allowing any new animals on the premises, restricting visitors, monitoring the behaviour and temperature of horsesand isolating any sick horseas soon as possible.

Vaccine available

A preventive vaccine followed by a booster is available for about $65.

It doesn't work in the midst ofan outbreak, but many horses north of Fredericton have been getting it, according to Wanamaker.

She said it's about60 or 70 per cent effective.

"It won't stop the disease," said Wanamaker. "It will at least reduce the severity of the clinical signs, and hopefully the horse won't maybe have as high of a fever, the abscesses may not appear, things like that."

Wanamaker recommends horse owners talk to their veterinarian to determine if the vaccine is the right option for them.

She is also encouraging horse owners and veterinarians to report any cases of strangles.

The first case of strangles in New Brunswick was confirmedon May 18, according to the Department of Agriculture's provincial veterinary service.

On May 28, the department issued an advisory about a second case being confirmed at a different barn from the previously diagnosed case.

A no-movement policy was implemented at the second unidentified location, which will remain in place for at least two weeks while the horses are being monitored, the advisory states.

The department issued an advisory about the third case on June 1.