Strangles

Question 1

Causative agent?

Answer 1

Streptococcus equi - a normal inhabitant of equine respiratory tract

Question 2

How contagious is it?

Answer 2

Highly contagious

Question 3

Which age of horse is most susceptible?

Answer 3

Young horses - 2-5yrs

Question 4

Drug of choice (when indicated)

Answer 4

Penicillin

Question 5

Complications of strangles (what bad disease processes can occur)?

Answer 5

Bastard strangles (internal abscessation)

Purpura hemorrhagica (vasculitis resulting in edema of the limbs and head and petechiation)

Guttural pouch empyema

Septicemia/encephalitis

Question 6

Transmission?

Answer 6

Inhaled/ingested after direct contact with discharge from infected horse/contaminated equipment

Question 7

Clinical signs

Answer 7

Major CS is lymphadenopathy

Other CS: fever, in appearance, lethargy, mucopurulent nasal discharge

Question 8

Affected lymph nodes

Answer 8

Intermandibular
Retropharyngeal
Internal (bastard strangles)

Question 9

Bloodwork abnormalities

Answer 9

Neutrophilic leukocytosis

Hyperfibrinogenemia

Question 10

Diagnosis

Answer 10

History and clinical signs

Definitive can be made with culture of pharynx or discharge

Question 11

Treatment if in severe respiratory distress

Answer 11

Emergency tracheostomy

Question 12

Treatment if they have fever, anorexia, no LN abscessation

Answer 12

Allow it to run the natural course

Potentially treat with penicillin

Question 13

When would you NOT want to treat with penicillin

Answer 13

If abscessation has already occurred - it will slow progression of disease

Question 14

If the horse is not showing CS but has been exposed, should you treat?

Answer 14

Giving penicillin may prevent seeding of the LN

Question 15

Should you lance the abscess?

Answer 15

Yes, if it is matured and soft

Question 16

Prognosis

Answer 16

Good, most horses recover uneventfully

If they have strangles they will develop good immunity