Topic 97 - Strangles (WHITE) Flashcards
What is strangles?
Worldwide, but rare disease in horses. Causing infection of the upper respiratory tract of horses and we see enlargement of the lymph nodes in the throat ⭢ which may impair breathing
Causative agent of strangles
Streptococcus equi subspecies equi
Route of infection in case of strangles
Airborne infection
introduced into the herd by recovered animals, carriers
Host and age susceptible to strangles
Horses
0.5-2 years of age
Pathogenesis of strangles
- Infection by aerogenic
- There will be lesions in the nasal and pharyngeal cavity
- With predisposing factors: we will see purulent inflammation of lymphoid vessels and lymph nodes
- It will develop into abscesses, they will rupture and become fistulas ⭢the bacteria will spread to other hosts
- In severe and rare cases, often as complication: septicaemia, abscesses seen in severe locations ⭢ death
Predisposing factors of strangles
Viral infections: herpes, influenza etc
Cold and windy
Mycotoxins
Clinical signs of strangles
- Fever
- Inappetence
- Serous to purulent discharge
- Submandibular and retrpharyngeal lymph nodes are enlarged, they become painfull causing reflux of water and feed thourgh the nasal openings and well see dyspnoea
- Abscesses, which become fistulas
In older foals, above 2 years of age, the clinical signs are mild with a rapid resolution
Clinical signs of strangles, in case of complications
only 20% of all cases have complications
- Septicaemia, foten with fatal outcome: well see abscesses in the lungs, liver, brain
- Immune mediated complications: can cause haemorrhages on mucus membrane, skin necrosis of limbs, head and trunk.
How to diagnose strangles
Smear and microscope
Bacterial culture
PCR
Treatment of strangles
- Antibiotics
- Surgical treatment and disinfection
- Isolation
- Prevent predisposing factors
- Allow the animal to rest
Prevention of strangles
- Quarantine
- Vaccine, but this give moderate protection only
