Druse is one of the most widespread bacterial infections in horses. It can cause serious health problems. This infection is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi and mainly affects the horse’s upper respiratory tract and lymph nodes. It can lead to fever, nasal discharge, coughing and abscesses. The control of druse in equine herds requires careful prevention and management strategies, with immediate isolation and disinfection being key.

The importance of disinfection for druse

Disinfection is an important measure to combat druse, as the bacterium Streptococcus equi can survive in the environment for a long time. Infected horses excrete the bacterium through nasal discharge and coughing, making it easy to spread to other horses and the environment. Thorough disinfection of stables, equipment, riding clothing and means of transportation is therefore essential to prevent the spread of druse.  

Hygiene measures for druse

  Here are some important points to combat the pathogen:

• Stable hygiene: Regular cleaning and disinfection of stables is crucial to control the spread of druse. This includes thorough cleaning and disinfection of feed troughs, drinking troughs, stalls and other surfaces that infected horses may have come into contact with.
• Isolation: Infected horses must be isolated from healthy horses immediately to prevent further spread of the infection. Stables and equipment that have been used by infected horses must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent transmission of the pathogen.
• Disinfection: All equipment that has come into contact with infected horses, such as saddles, bridles, blankets and means of transportation, must be thoroughly disinfected to prevent the spread of infection.

Hydroliq Animal is approved for both skin disinfection on animals and for oral hygiene. The pH-neutral disinfectant solution eliminates 99.99% of all bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores in a matter of seconds and is completely harmless to animals, humans and the environment. Ideally suited for all surfaces that come into direct contact with the animal (bridle, feeding troughs and drinking troughs), as well as for the animal itself. Hydroliq PROFESSIONAL is used to disinfect stable boxes, floors, trailers, equipment and other surfaces as well as in combination with the “Fogger” device for spray disinfection. This handy, mobile spray disinfection device (3.5 kg / 4 liter tank capacity) can be carried comfortably over the shoulder. It enables uncomplicated, fast and effective decontamination of hotspots. For fast and safe disinfection of even hard-to-reach surfaces. Do not forget: Trailers and trucks that have been used to transport infected horses must also be treated.

• Personal hygiene: In the event of an outbreak of druse in a stable, care must be taken to ensure that contact only takes place with your own horse. This applies in particular if your own horse is affected. It is recommended that you wash your hands regularly, put your clothes straight into the washing machine and do not share equipment. If you own several horses, it is recommended that you change your clothes every now and then and wash as well as possible. Although these measures involve a certain amount of effort, they are essential for successful management of the disease.
• Monitoring: To ensure early diagnosis and treatment, it is important to monitor horses for signs of druse. A rapid response can help limit the spread of infection and reduce the risk of serious complications.
• Veterinary treatment: If druse is suspected, the vet must be informed immediately. The vet will first take a swab and send it to the laboratory. There it can be tested whether the horse is excreting the druse bacteria or whether it is a different disease. The sick horse should be isolated as soon as it is suspected, as otherwise the pathogen can spread quickly in the stable.

Conclusion: Druse is a serious disease that requires careful prevention and control to protect the health and welfare of horses. Disinfection plays a central role in this and should be considered an integral part of the management plan in equine herds. By following strict disinfection practices, horse owners can help control the spread of druse and maintain the health of their animals.