Strangles. Let’s work together to stamp it out.

We are on a mission to educate on a condition that strikes fear across the equestrian community, ‘Strangles’, less commonly known as the infection ‘Streptococcus Equi’ that affects horses, ponies and donkeys.

We are appealing for equestrians to do the right thing, come together to support and educate each other on the infection with the hope that together we can stop the spread.

The infection of the upper respiratory tract and regional lymph nodes of the horse is caused by Streptococcus Equi. Once a definite diagnosis has been made in a horse with clinical signs, strict biosecurity measures should be in place to minimise the spread to other animals.

Around 600 outbreaks of strangles are reported each year in the UK alone. It’s now time to Stamp Out the myths and come together to support, not dramatize, the condition.

Sign and Symptoms

The symptoms include:

1. High temperature, above 38.5°C, is often the first sign. This provides an opportunity to immediately isolate the horse and help prevent the spread of the disease.
2. Lethargy/dull and depressed.
3. Loss of appetite and/or not drinking, difficulty swallowing.
4. A lowered head and neck.
5. A cough.
6. Thick and discoloured nasal discharge.
7. Swelling of the glands under the jaw (lymph nodes), in the space between the head and neck, or on the head or neck which may lead to abscesses. These can burst with highly infectious, thick, creamy-yellow pus.
8. The abscesses in the lymph nodes usually burst into the horse’s guttural pouches (air pockets at the back of a horse’s throat) which then drain out through the nostrils.

It normally takes 3-21 days after the horse has been in contact with the strangles bacteria for signs to develop (incubation period).

Not all horses will show the same symptoms, or even any at all. This is called ‘atypical strangles’. Some horses may only show signs such as a mild fever, nasal discharge, a slight loss of appetite.

Atypical strangles may go unnoticed but infection can still spread. If you notice your horse showing mild signs, it’s always sensible to isolate them as a precaution and contact your vet for advice.

 

When is it contagious?

The nasal secretions and any pus draining from the abscesses are contagious material. Strangles is transmitted by fomites. A fomite is any inanimate object that, when contaminated with or exposed to infectious agents (such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses or fungi), can transfer disease to a new host. These are items such as grooming brushes, rugs, buckets, equipment, clothing, boots.

If you have a positive case identified, what do you do next?

First and foremost, do not panic. Identifying a horse with strangles on your yard, stables or property is completely manageable through biosecurity measures. There is an extremely poorly horse that needs you to nurse it through the infection whilst taking every precaution to protect the rest of the herd.

Preparation is key to preventing the spread. Having a biosecurity procedure in place prior to a case being identified will ensure you are confident in what to do next. This will reduce the drama around a contagious horse being identified, you will also need the support of horse owners stabled with the horse and the local equestrian community.

Stables, yards or show venues that have a positive case of strangles on their property, as identified through testing by a veterinarian, are encouraged to stop equine movement in and out of the location and to advise professionals such as vets, farriers, physios and external trainers prior to visiting.

Biosecurity Measure Tips

Should a horse display signs and symptom of strangles it is recommended to commence biosecurity measures immediately and assume as infected until confirmation has been sought through testing. Always call a vet, seek confirmation and ask their advice.

Once strangles has been diagnosed in a horse, biosecurity measures must be implemented immediately to prevent rapid spread of the disease to other horses, both within the premises and in neighbouring yards.

All horses should remain on the premises. If possible, three colour-coded groups should be created:

Red- presumed infected horses showing clinical signs consistent with strangles.

Amber-horses that have had direct or indirect contact with horses in the red group and, as such, are believed to have been at risk of exposure to S Equi but have not themselves shown clinical signs.

Green- horses that remained detached from those in red and amber groups, no known direct or indirect contact and do not demonstrate clinical signs.

Ideally, but is not always possible, the isolation facility should be in a separate building or a separate field at least. If this is not possible, simple steps- such as boarding up grills between stables, fitting stable grills and similar measures so horses cannot touch each other will help contain infection.

Signage and barriers to ensure no unauthorised access to the allocated isolation area. Where possible, have a different set of clothes, boots, equipment available to change upon entering and exiting the isolation facility. A disinfectant foot dip and hand washing facilities or hand sanitiser at entry and exit points of the isolation area is advised.

Buckets and other equipment should be colour-coded to ensure mixing of these between groups does not occur. Where possible an allocated person for each colour-coded group. Persons should always move from the lowest risk to the highest risk groups and not back again.

Used bedding, uneaten food or water from the red group must be disposed of carefully. Water should be discharged to the sewer or a septic tank to avoid cross-contamination.

Protective clothing such as disposable boiler suits, separate boots and disposable gloves must be available at the entrance to the isolation facility and be disposed of properly. The outside bag should be disinfected prior to disposal.

The rectal temperature of all horses in the amber and green groups should be taken daily and any horse showing an increase in temperature should be moved to the red group and examined by a veterinarian. Horses in the red group should not be released from isolation until three consecutive nasopharyngeal swabs/washes have been taken over a two- week period or on GP (Glutaral Pouch) wash test negative.

For advice on any further screening and to formulate a treatment plan for horses with Streptococcus Equi seek guidance from your veterinarian.

Further Advice

We have a state-of-the-art equine Isolation Unit which is a fully equipped biosecurity facility. However, this is not the case for many yards.

Should you need any further advice or support please get in contact with our Equine Welfare Team on 01282 455992 or email enquiries@happa.org.uk

For a FREE equestrian establishment event poster provided by Redwings click here

Let’s work together to Stamp Out Strangles.