Strangles workshop

Question 1

What organism causes strangles?

Answer 1

streptococcus equi

Question 2

What can you see in this endoscopy picture of a horse with strangles?

Answer 2

retropharyngeal LN
–> abscess - burst in Guttural pouch => purulent nose discharge

Question 3

What is this? (collected via guttural pouch endoscopy)

Answer 3

Chondroids (hard pus)

Question 4

What diagnostic tests do you want to perform?

What samples will you need?

Answer 4

PCR & aerobic culture
Nasopharyngeal swab

Question 5

Answer 5

Quarantine whole yard

Basic biosecurity - hand wash, effective cleaning of equipment, using protective clothing, rectal temp

Traffic light system

=> maximise distance - not airborne But reduces risk of transmission

Turn out - reduce risk of transmission when feeding & mucking out –> double fencing at least 3m away to avoid nose contact

Question 6

Following a case of strangles on a yard 3 other horses develop clinical signs in the following week.
What follow up diagnostics tests will you perform to ensure eradication of disease from the premises?
When will you perform these?

Answer 6

ELISA antibody after 2 weeks