It is one of the most frequently diagnosed respiratory infections in horses worldwide and it has been described in horses for over years. This infection has the.
Due to the nature of the equine industry, with widespread movement of horses for sales, breeding and competition, the potential for spread of this contagious.
Strangles is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi; a member of the Lancefield Group C Streptococci.
Strangles is the most common bacterial respiratory infection of horses. In a susceptible population, strangles occurs most frequently in horses up to 5 years of age. Foals born to immune dams are usually protected by colostrum derived antibodies up to the age of approximately 3 months. The majority of horses will recover fully from the infection however the disease may be prolonged and can cause considerable suffering to the affected horse.
Infection can spread rapidly through a population of horses particularly. Disease spreads quickly and due to the development of the carrier state infection can persist in a yard for many months or even years.
Disease can be spread by direct contact with nasal, ocular or lymph node secretions from infected horses. Indirect transmission may also occur via contaminated housing, water sources, feed or feeding utensils, equipment,. The clothing of handlers, caretakers, farriers, and veterinarians may also play a role in the transmission of disease. Shared drinking bowls have been identified as a common reservoir of the infection. It is thought that the bacteria could survive in water for several weeks.
The host becomes infected when bacteria attach to tonsillar epithelium and lymph tissue after inhalation or ingestion of infected secretions. From this location the bacteria move to the surrounding lymph nodes of the head and neck. Due to the presence of the bacteria and the subsequent immune response, abscesses form in the affected lymph nodes. The incubation period for strangles is typically days, with abscesses formed from up to 2 weeks after initial infection.
Occasionally the bacteria may travel via the lymphatic system or blood vessels to other lymphoid tissue or other organs in the body. The Guttural pouches may also become infected if the adjacent retropharyngeal lymph nodes rupture.
Guttural pouch infections may also occur when infected material drains into the pouches from the pharynx. Bastard strangles refers to the abscessation of lymphoid tissue or other organs beyond the head and neck. Disease prevalence is generally considered to be much higher than official reports. The Irish Equine Centre diagnostic laboratory cultures the causative organism from many new outbreaks annually.
Established outbreaks may last for months or even years particularly in large horse populations with frequent new arrivals that provide a supply of susceptible animals. Anorexia, lethargy, depression and a nasal discharge develop hours after the rise in temperature. The nasal discharge is initially serous but quickly becomes purulent.
Ruptured abscesses may need to be flushed with dilute iodine or a similar treatment until drainage stops. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs may be prescribed to reduce pain and fever and improve appetite in horses with rapidly developing disease.
The horse should be kept in an environment that is warm, dry, and dust-free. It should be isolated from any other horses as soon as strangles is suspected, and appropriate procedures to prevent spread of infection should be followed. Flies can transmit infection mechanically; therefore, efforts should be made to control the fly population during an outbreak. Individuals, such as trainers, who visit multiple horse facilities should wear protective clothing or change clothes prior to traveling to the next facility.
Horses being newly introduced to a group should be carefully scrutinized for evidence of disease. Consult your veterinarian for advice on testing, vaccination, and quarantine procedures. Most horses continue to shed the infectious bacteria for about 1 month following recovery from disease.
Analysis of swabs from the nose and throat can be used by the veterinarian to assess whether it is safe to introduce or reintroduce a previously infected horse into a group. Also see professional content regarding strangles in horses Strangles in Horses Strangles is an infectious, contagious disease of Equidae characterized by abscessation of the lymphoid tissue of the upper respiratory tract. The causative organism, Streptococcus equi equi From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world.
The Veterinary Manual was first published in as a service to the community. The legacy of this great resource continues in the online and mobile app versions today. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR is faster results may be available on the same day and more sensitive, but does not distinguish between live and dead bacteria, so a positive result does not necessarily correlate with an active infection.
In complicated cases, an endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract may be required, as well as ultrasound and radiographs to identify the location and extent of abscesses. In most cases, strangles is treated with rest and supportive care. Horses are monitored closely to ensure pain management and adequate consumption of food and water. Antibiotics may be beneficial immediately after the onset of fever, prevent the formation of abscesses, and relieve airway obstruction, but their use is controversial because horses can have an altered post-infection immune response, which may leave them at risk for re-infection.
Antibiotic treatment may include penicillin, ceftiofur, or ampicillin. The appropriate use of antibiotics may shorten the course of the disease and prevent complications. Horses that develop lymph node abscesses may require hot packing or topical ichthammol treatment and flushing of the abscesses with povidone-iodine solution once they have opened.
Affected horses should be quarantined and all movement of horses on and off the property halted until all horses that had contact with the infected horse are confirmed to be negative. Tracheostomy, a surgical opening through the neck into the windpipe, may be required in severe cases of respiratory distress. Nasal shedding of the bacteria can persist for up to three weeks and horses may be infectious for at least six weeks after nasal discharge has stopped.
Horses are considered disease-free based on guttural pouch sampling and endoscopy to visually assess the area for abscesses. The prognosis for full recovery of uncomplicated cases of strangles is good, but usually takes 3 to 6 weeks. The course of S. This means that S. Risks for exposure to strangles include a large population size that may lead to overcrowding, frequent travel, severe weather, interaction with horses from different areas, lack of vaccination, concurrent illness, and improper nutrition.
The best strategy to prevent strangles is to minimize exposure risks.
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