EQUESTRIAN - Sponsored by Brickfields and Froghill Tack
life
How is Strangles treated?
Prevention of ‘strangles’ is very important
as the value of treating horses with
antibiotics is extremely controversial.
Antibiotics are not used routinely
because this may encourage carrier
status. Problems are frequently seen with
recurrence of swelling and abscesses of
the glands of the head and neck after
antibiotic treatment stops. Additionally
their usage often instils a false sense
of security that animals are no longer
infectious and so strict hygiene measures
are not followed.
The prevention of ‘strangles’ is very
difficult to achieve, particularly without
specific measures to reduce the risk of
the inadvertent introduction of S. equi
infection through outwardly healthy
carriers. Prevention is particularly
difficult where there is frequent moving
and mixing of horses and where strangles
outbreaks have not been investigated and
controlled appropriately.
Hygiene plays an important role in the
prevention and control of this disease.
Disinfecting all food and water containers,
clothing, stabling and equipment used by
an infected horse is imperative.
Quarantining new animals on their
arrival to a yard is the most effective
way to prevent a Strangles outbreak.
Quarantine means no direct contact
of a new horse with other animals or
equipment used by other horses. A
quarantine period should be insisted
upon, ideally this should be no less than
2 weeks. Horses that are disease-free after
this quarantine period pose almost no risk
of disease transmission unless they are a
“silent carrier”.
Nasal Discharge
ensure a response from the horse’s immune
system that will prevent infection if the
animal comes into contact with the real
bacteria.
The joint AHT and BHS Breaking the
Strangles Hold campaign aims to raise
£250,000 for the production of this
vaccine. Contact Amanda Watson on
01202 558515 for further details on how to
donate to this vital fund.
What about the future?
The Home of Rest for Horses has
invested funds through an extensive grant
programme in association with the Animal
Health Trust to highlight the importance
of carriers and has led to improved
methods for the detection and treatment
of carriers following disease outbreaks.
The Animal Health Trust is also
conducting exciting new research
to evaluate a new strangles vaccine
for intramuscular administration.
The Strangles vaccine is based on
manipulating the DNA of the bacteria to
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