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A
respiratory infection caused by Streptococcus equi. It is very common and
can kill the host but more often causes a lengthy period of recuperation and
is very highly infectious. Those that recover can very often retain the
bacillus within their system showing no sign of the disease themselves, but
can infect others. Strep.equi is no respecter of type or age although it
more often strikes the very young, absolutely any equine is at risk.
It spreads in a yard at an alarming rate unless super-human efforts are made
to control it.
Symptoms & Treatment:
A
sudden high temperature fever and off the feed, showing difficulty in
swallowing often with swellings under the jaw and in the throat. A lowered
head and watery nasal discharge which soon becomes thick and yellow.
Abscesses around the throat and neck which discharge thick pus. At this
stage the animal is very ill indeed and no time is to be lost in contacting
the vet.
Whilst waiting for the vet immediately put in place a rigorous disinfecting
regime and isolate the patient. One person only should attend to the
patient and must on no account go near any other horses. Even if the
symptoms are still in the early stages, the sooner this regime is in place
the more likely the spread of the disease will be contained. If the
diagnosis is not confirmed these measures will have done no harm.
Treatment can include antibiotics and anti-inflammatories which your vet
will prescribe appropriately. Hot poultices to speed abscesses bursting or
to enable lancing can be used and then flushing out the abscess site with
solutions of providone-iodine or similar. Your vet will further advise on
suitable precautions again spread.
Prevention:
A
vaccine is available so speak to your vet about the pros and cons of that.
Rigorous hygiene in any equine yard is a must and a good knowledge of
symptoms and regular checks by all owners/grooms at the yard is essential.
New arrivals should be isolated for at least 2 and better 3 weeks and
checked out regularly before joining the main yard. Any horse suspected of
having strangles should be attended by one person only who does not have any
contact with others in the yard. Each horse should have its’ own grooming
kit, tack, feed & water containers & hay net etc which are cleaned
thoroughly regularly. Even these measures are not failsafe but will reduce
the risks.
PEGASUS HEALTH
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