strangles

Question 1

What causes strangles

Answer 1

streptococcus equi subsp. equi

Question 2

Describe how strangles is spread

Answer 2

intermittent shedding by carrier animals
environmental persistence

Question 3

List the most common clinical manifestations of strangles

Answer 3

Sudden pyrexia (48h pre-shedding)
Mucopurulent nasal discharge
RF & SM LN abscessation

Question 4

List 5 clinical signs of pharyngitis in horses

Answer 4

nasal discharge
dysphagia
cough
laryngeal-associated pain
extended head

Question 5

when do lymph nodes become abscessed in strangles

Answer 5

3-14 days after infection

Question 6

Which lymph node commonly ruptures into the guttural pouch with strangles infection

Answer 6

retropharyngeal lymph nodes

Question 7

List some secondary complications of strangles

Answer 7

can develop:
- pneumonia
- distant abscesses
- severe dyspnoea

Question 8

List 5 history questions to ask when investigating acute resp disease in horses

Answer 8

onset
management
exposure
travel
new horses?

Question 9

What is the optimal diagnostic test for acute strangles

Answer 9

qPCR of nasopharyngeal lavage
followed by NP swabbing and the nasal swabbing

Question 10

Describe the optimal diagnostic test for persistently infected starngles cases

Answer 10

qPCR of endoscopic guttural pouch lavage x 3 is best - 7 days apart (because of intermittent shedding and carrier animals)

Question 11

What serology is used to diagnose strangles

Answer 11

Dual-target ELISA to identify exposed animals after an outbreak

Question 12

Describe how to treat strangles

Answer 12

NSAIDS
Soft, palatable, calorific diet
Hydration
Abscess management - e.g. packing, surgical drainage
isolation - minimise spread
nursing care

Question 13

describe how to treat guttural pouch empyema secondary to strangles

Answer 13

guttural pouch lavage

Question 13

Describe when to give antibiotics with strangles cases

Answer 13

Between initial exposure, before abscessation- not enough evidence yet that this works
persistently infected carrier horses
horses with severe dyspnoea, dysphagia or persistently high fever

Question 14

what antibiotic is used to treat horses that are persistently infected with strangles

Answer 14

benzylpenicillin reverse thermodynamic gel

Question 15

why is guttural pouch empyema common in strangles cases

Answer 15

because the retropharyngeal lymph nodes often rupture into the GP

Question 16

what can happen if strangles bacteria spreads haematogenously

Answer 16

abscesses can form in different locations