Page 17 - Equine Matters - Summer 2011

Basic HTML Version

SUMMER 2011 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
16
VET VIEWPOINT...
WE VIEW THE OPINIONS OF OUR VETS ON THE
TOPIC OF
STRANGLES...
Why is strangles
so prevalent?
The difficulty with the emotive subject of
strangles infection is twofold. First, the
infection and recovery may take several
months and second, the bug is likely to
remain (10% of infected horses become
carriers) resulting ultimately in further
outbreaks. In an outbreak your actions
should be based military style:
1.
Stop (spread the condition no further).
2.
Contain (prevent new contact by
education, hygiene and possible
vaccination).
3.
Eliminate (treat).
4.
Authorise (confirm freedom of infection
by negative swabbing).
Remember strangles is rarely fatal (less than
1% of infected horses die as a result) but
it is highly infectious (60-70% of horses
exposed will develop signs of infection).
Ben Sturgeon BVM&S
BSc CertEP MRCVS
Castle Veterinary Surgeons
Richard Parker MA VetMB CertEP CertES (Orth) MRCVS
Endell Veterinary Group
Being based on the outskirts of the New
Forest we have a large population of wild
horses and ponies in the surrounding area.
As a result, each year we see several
strangles outbreaks with infected horses
and ponies coming into close contact with
client’s animals. As the population of wild
ponies increases each year, the disease
seems to cycle from one year to the next.
Infected animals are free to roam and this
no doubt contributes to the high numbers
of infections we deal with.
The incidence of animals with carrier
status in the area is unknown but may be
responsible for the ever present threat of
strangles. Fortunately the levels of owner
vigilance and husbandry are high which is
a very effective method of preventing the
spread of this disease. Most owners are
well aware to avoid obvious risk factors
and separate their animals from the
wild population.
Jim Slaine MVB MRCVS
Parklands Veterinary Group
Strangles would not be a common
diagnosis within the horse population which
we deal with. However there would be a
notable prevalence within horses owned
by the travelling community who often
keep many horses of all ages in a herd
style set up.
In addition these horses would be bought
and sold on a regular basis therefore
constantly changing 'herds' and the use of
natural service allows for exposure of young
stock to the bacterium at different premises.
We tend to find young foals and older
horses more severely affected leading in
some cases to fatalities. The disease does
occur sporadically in show jumping yards
but on an infrequent basis.
Our owners are aware of strangles as a
highly infectious and potentially devastating
disease that requires good isolation
procedures and closure of yards.
Strangles in Northern Ireland
For more information about Strangles,
please contact your local XLVets practice.