Topic 97 - Strangles (WHITE)

Question 1

What is strangles?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Causative agent of strangles

Answer 2

Streptococcus equi subspecies equi

Question 3

Route of infection in case of strangles

Answer 3

Airborne infection

introduced into the herd by recovered animals, carriers

Question 4

Host and age susceptible to strangles

Answer 4

Horses

0.5-2 years of age

Question 5

Pathogenesis of strangles

Answer 5

1. Infection by aerogenic
2. There will be lesions in the nasal and pharyngeal cavity
3. With predisposing factors: we will see purulent inflammation of lymphoid vessels and lymph nodes
4. It will develop into abscesses, they will rupture and become fistulas ⭢the bacteria will spread to other hosts
5. In severe and rare cases, often as complication: septicaemia, abscesses seen in severe locations ⭢ death

Question 6

Predisposing factors of strangles

Answer 6

Viral infections: herpes, influenza etc
Cold and windy
Mycotoxins

Question 7

Clinical signs of strangles

Answer 7

1. Fever
2. Inappetence
3. Serous to purulent discharge
4. Submandibular and retrpharyngeal lymph nodes are enlarged, they become painfull causing reflux of water and feed thourgh the nasal openings and well see dyspnoea
5. Abscesses, which become fistulas

In older foals, above 2 years of age, the clinical signs are mild with a rapid resolution

Question 8

Clinical signs of strangles, in case of complications

Answer 8

only 20% of all cases have complications

1. Septicaemia, foten with fatal outcome: well see abscesses in the lungs, liver, brain
2. Immune mediated complications: can cause haemorrhages on mucus membrane, skin necrosis of limbs, head and trunk.

Question 9

How to diagnose strangles

Answer 9

Smear and microscope
Bacterial culture
PCR

Question 10

Treatment of strangles

Answer 10

1. Antibiotics
2. Surgical treatment and disinfection
3. Isolation
4. Prevent predisposing factors
5. Allow the animal to rest

Question 11

Prevention of strangles

Answer 11

1. Quarantine
2. Vaccine, but this give moderate protection only