Video Insight: Strangles Signs, Treatment and Prevention

by Fran Jurga | 4 December 2008 | The Jurga Report on Equisearch.com



An enterprising group of veterinarians has launched vetstoria.com, an online community for horse owners seeking access to video-based education on horse diseases and health concerns.

As a sample, I am posting for you an important description of the disease we call "Strangles". This time of year many horses are changing barns (or owners) and coming in from long summer turnout. Barns, blankets and buckets combine with new stalls, new trailers, new handlers to increase the risk of highly contagious diseases like strangles.

I have witnessed strangles firsthand, and more than once, and I can testify that this is a disease that you do not want your horse to experience. My horse was at a boarding barn on the farm of a horse dealer, and lots of horses came and went. We always assumed that the strangles outbreaks were related to some horse that had shipped in, but we never really knew. It could have been spread in so many ways, but it is also possible that a resident horse was a carrier and only occasionally shed the bacteria.

It seemed like the innocent boarder horses went through a ritual of falling victim to the disease. The owners were devastated. It was heartbreaking to watch the horses endure the disease, particularly when it advanced into bastard strangles.

Take the time to watch this video and learn the signs of strangles. Talk to your veterinarian about how to prevent the disease, and if vaccination is something you should consider.

Thanks to Vetstoria.com's vets for making this video available.

Equine Health Breakthrough: Strangles Blood Test Research Completed, New Vaccine Next Step

Nasal discharge is typically an early sign of strangles.

A new diagnostic blood test has been developed to combat the virulent horse disease known as "Strangles", caused by infection with the bacterium Streptococcus equi (S. equi). The breakthrough has come after four years of research by scientists at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, England.

The blood test identifies horses that have recently been exposed to Strangles, enabling it to be nipped in the bud.

The blood test is ideal for screening horses prior to movement, competition or sales and will be available immediately.

The next big step is to produce a new effective vaccine, which would be a major breakthrough in protecting horses and ponies around the world.

The Horse Trust's Chief Executive Brigadier Paul Jepson said: “We are delighted our funding for this project has been so fruitful. This represents major progress in our battle to reduce the suffering caused by this common and debilitating disease.”

The development of the test is part of the campaign ‘Breaking the Strangles Hold’, launched by the Animal Health Trust and British Horse Society in February last year by the AHT’s President HRH The Princess Royal.

The campaign has two main aims: to raise awareness among owners, riders and anyone involved in the health and welfare of horses, and to generate funds to support the vital research in the ongoing battle to eradicate the disease.

Peter Webbon, Chief Executive of the Animal Health Trust, said: “Our research scientists have a particular interest in the diagnosis and prevention of Strangles and the development of this diagnostic test is a major milestone. Huge thanks go to all of those who have supported the campaign.”

In the first half of 2007 the Animal Health Trust diagnostic laboratories analysed almost 8,000 samples from suspected strangles cases in the United Kingdom.

Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed infectious horse disease around the world. It can prove fatal. Clinical signs include fever, profuse nasal discharge and abscessed lymph nodes of the head and neck. The swelling of these lymph nodes may, in severe cases, restrict the airway, hence the name ‘Strangles’.

In February 2007, the strangles vaccine in use in Europe failed tests, which showed that samples had dropped below EU approved levels. The vaccine was withdrawn from sale.