Equine bacterial respiratory disease Flashcards
Which bacteria causes strangles?
Streptococcus equi equi
Streptococcus is a bacterial respiratory disease mainly affecting which 2 areas?
Upper respiratory tract
Lymph nodes of head
What are the clinical signs of Streptococcus equi equi?
Pyrexia (fever), dull, inappetent Inflammatory changes on blood sample Nasal discharge Lethargy Abscessation
In a severe case of strangles what can occur?
Dyspnoea (laboured breathing)
- pharyngeal compression
- tracheotomy required
What is bastard strangles?
Complication
- Transient bacteremia
- Abscesses can form in other tissues and lymph nodes
- Disseminated abscesses difficult to treat (spread throughout body)
What are the characteristic features of Streptococcus equi var. equi bacteria?
Gram positive Cocci Pairs/chains Facultative anaerobe Hyaluronic acid capsule Lactose fermentation negative
On the Streptococcus equi var. equi structure, what is the target for vaccines?
M-protein on the cell wall
How is Streptococcus equi var. equi spread? How well adapted to the environment is it?
- Highly contagious: spread by direct contact and fomites
- Sensitive to sunlight and heat
- Sensitive to most disinfectants
- Survives in environment for up to 4 weeks
Rate of Streptococcus equi var. equi increase with…?
- Increasing group size
- Increasing horse movement
- Increased mixing of horses
- Communal feeders and drinkers
- Younger horses
What are the two methods of confirming a horse is free from a Strangles infection?
- Guttural pouch wash - 1 negative result
2. 3 negative nasal swabs each week for 3 weeks
In an outbreak what do red, amber and green areas refer to?
Red = Confirmed cases Amber = Been in contact with confirmed cases Green = No contact with confirmed cases
In a disease outbreak when can a yeard open again?
When all horses are declared ‘free of disease’
Which bacteria causes Rattles?
Rhodococcus equi
What are the acute signs of Rhodococcus equi infection?
- Affects young foals
- Fever, anorexia, cough, nasal discharge
What are the chronic signs of Rhodococcus equi infection?
- Affects older foals
- Cough, dyspnoea, weight loss, exercise intolerance, loud crackles on auscultation
