INFECTION EXAMPLE: STRANGLES

 

WHAT IS STRANGLES?

 

Strangles is a highly contagious infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus equi (S.equi) and affects horses, ponies and donkeys.

This endemic disease tends to favour the colder months and is readily recognised. Outbreaks may follow the mixing of groups of horses or the introduction of new horses onto a property. It is generally more common in younger horses whose clinical symptoms will be more severe; however horses of any age can become infected.

 

CLINICAL SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

 

Classic signs (within 3 to 8 days of becoming infected) of strangles include:

• rapid on-set of high temperature (39.5 to 40.5 degs),

• loss of appetite,

• discharge of yellow pus from the nose,

• symmetrically enlarged glands of the head and neck that often form abscesses,

• coughing, and

• difficulty swallowing.

When abscesses burst, thick yellow pus is discharged. Sometimes discharge of mucus from the nostrils is all that is seen, and a carrier state without any obvious clinical signs is also possible.

Symptoms can last for days to months. Abscesses rupture and drain within 2 weeks and drain and recovery is generally without incident.

Keep in mind affected horses remain infectious for a minimum of 4 weeks after they have recovered and appear healthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A HORSE WITH A MICROPURULENT NASAL DISCHARGE TYPICAL OF INFECTION

 

 

TRANSMISSION

 

The incubation period of the disease is usually about 1 week, but may be up to 3 weeks.

Transmission occurs through both oral and nasal routes. Infection can occur via direct contact between individual horses and/or through indirect contact in several ways.

 

Contaminated feed, water, bedding, stables, stable utensils and transport vehicles are important in the spread of infection. S. equi can survive for long periods in the environment. For example, it can survive in pus and purulent discharges for many months and in nasal discharges for several weeks. Careless horse handlers can make a significant contribution to transmission of strangles between horses.

 

Bacterial shedding usually ends rapidly after clinical recovery and can be confirmed by negative culture of swabs from the back of the throat (nasopharyngeal swabs). However, shedding may be intermittent and the occasional horse can become a long-term carrier. Therefore, before any convalescent horse or any in-contacts of any infected horse can be considered likely to be free of infection, a series of negative swabs are needed.

 

COMPLICATIONS

 

Complications are uncommon, and most horses recover uneventfully.

 

• Bastard Strangles –This is where bacteria occasionally spread through the body and cause abscesses in the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, brain, and lymph nodes. These cases can be fatal.

• Purpura Haemorrhagica – This is where red spots form on skin and mucous membranes, it is caused by bleeding from smaller blood vessels. Also present is swelling of the limbs and head. It is generally fatal.

• Chronic Carrier Status - A small number of horses carry strangles in the guttural pouch (an out-pouching of the back of the throat) for months after they have recovered from the disease. Carrier horses appear healthy but shed bacteria in nasal discharges and are the source of infection for other susceptible horses.

 

 

TREATMENT

 

Immediate treatment should be undertaken in an attempt to control infection and treat the symptoms. Each case should be assessed and treated individually to each horse with ITZ MAGIC.

 

The affected horse/s should be kept isolated for 6 to 8 weeks in order to prevent spread to other horses. Good biosecurity must be observed when handling infected horses.

 

Keep the horse comfortable and quiet until the abscesses burst and the horse acquires natural immunity. To assist with the high temperature your veterinarian may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

 

Antibiotics are not always indicated, as they cannot penetrate the centre of an abscess where there is no blood supply.

 

In addition to ITZ MAGIC, Anti– inflammatory treatment may be necessary if the horse is suffering from painful swellings and or a high temperature. 

 

Treating abscesses once they have burst can be done by washing the site with warm water and antiseptic.

 

A thorough course of ITZ MAGIC will erradicate the problem quicker, than other conventional methods, and also through a complete course may prevent reccurrance, as the pathogen can sit in the system, even is signs and symptoms dissapper.