Strangles Flashcards
(18 cards)
Infectious agent
- streptococcus equi equi
Is strangles contagious?
- yes
How many infected horses remain in a carrier state?
- 10%
Transmission
- fomites
- contact
Common clinical manifestations
- sudden pyrexia
- mucopurulent nasal discharge
- retropharyngeal & submandibular LN abscessation
How long pre-shedding do affected horses become pyrexic?
- 48h
CS of pharyngitis
- nasal discharge
- dysphagia
- cough
- laryngeal-associated pain
- extended head
When does LN abscessation occur?
- 3-14d after infection
Where do the RPLNs commonly rupture into and what does this cause?
- GPs
- GP empyema
What are the common complications of strangles?
- GP empyema
- pneumonia
- distant abscesses
- dyspnoea
Diagnostic testing in the acute disease
Hx
- onset
- management
- exposure
- travel
- new horses?
CS
- variable
- non-specific
- but vital
Endoscopy, US, radiography
Pathogen identification
Pathogen identification
Culture
- 34-45% sensitivity
qPCR of nasopharyngeal lavage optimal
- following by NP swabbing and then nasal swabbing
Diagnostic testing - persistent infection
Culture
- 34-45% sensitivity
qPCR of endoscopic GP lavage
- 3x 7d apart = best
- important for carrier state diagnosis
Serology
SeM-based ELISA
- some cross-reactivity with similar protein to strep equi zooepidemicus, causing a moderately high rate of false positives
Dual-target ELISA to ID exposed
- optimal
- identify exposed animals for GP lavage PCR testing
When after an outbreak should you look for carrier animals?
- 3-4w after the last case
Tx
- NSAIDs
– to manage pyrexia, pain and inflammation - soft, palatable, calorific diet
- abscess management (hot packing, sx drainage & lavage)
– don’t want to lane the abscess too early (before it has fully matured) as can get incomplete drainage - isolation
- nursing care
Tx of complications
GP lavage
- coiled or foley catheter
- can leave indwelling Foley catheter and lavage the GP regularly 1-2x daily with sterile saline
- need to lavage the pouches until the abscesses have stopped draining into the pouches and the pouches are clear of pus
Antibiotics
Abscess drainage & lavage
Other tx according to type of complication
Antibiotic usage
Between initial exposure, before abscessation?
- don’t have enough evidence to confirm AB use in this time will prevent LN abscessation
Persistent infection
- benzylpenicillin reverse thermodynamic gel
Horses with severe dyspnoea
- ABs will decrease the size of the abscesses and help with the swelling of associated structures
Dysphagia or persistent fever
- indicated for these
