Strangles

Question 1

What is strangles?

Answer 1

A bacterial infection that effects the URT in horses (Boyle 2011). Infections is highly contagious and in transmitted by inhalation or direct contact with mucopurulent discharge from an infected animal.

Question 2

What causes strangles?

Answer 2

Streptococcus equi

Question 3

What are the clinical signs of strangles?

Answer 3

• Pyrexia
• Severe mucosal inflammation
• Dysphagia
• Depression and lethargy
• Profuse nasal discharge
• Absecessation of lymph nodes in the head and neck. (kahn 2010)

Signs develop 3-14 days after exposure (Boyle 2011)

Question 4

How do you diagnose strangles?

Answer 4

Clinical signs

Culture S.equi when lymph nodes burst

Question 5

Can you burst the lymph nodes yourself?

Answer 5

NO

Because you need to make sure they are fully matured; when they are mature they will automatically burst.

Question 6

What are fatal complications that are involved in strangles?

Answer 6

Bastard strangles where lymph noes are effected all around the body

Purpura haemorrhagica

Question 7

What minor complications can be involved in strangles?

Answer 7

Post strangles myocarditis
Laryngeal hemiplasia
Purulent cellultis
Guttural pouch empyaema

Question 8

How can you treat strangles?

Answer 8

Enhance maturation and rupture via hot/cold flannels alternatively
Supportive-IV care, food via nasogastro tube
Facilitate draining of abscesses
Flush ruptured nodes with povide-iodine

Question 9

How do you prevent strangles?

Answer 9

Detect carriers
Isolate carriers whilst they are being treated
Vaccination (Vetstream, no date) programs are available dependent on how high risk animal is.