Streptococcus Equi, More commonly known as Strangles is an infectious equine disease that is characterized by attacking and breaking down the lymphoid tissue of the upper respiratory tract making this disease fatal. Streptococcus is a type of bacterium which causes the disease. Strangles got its name because historically, affected horses were sometimes suffocated from inflamed lymph nodes in their upper airway and trachea.When a horse gets this disease the bacteria cells attach to the tonsil and lymph nodes and then release enzymes and toxins that damage cells nearby and cause inflammation.
Strangles is transmitted by direct contact with an infected horse or sub-clinical shedders. It is also transmitted indirectly by contact with …show more content…
But sadly in many cases, the time it takes to get a diagnosis to get approved for treatment takes to long and ends with the suffocation of the horse. Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a faster test that detects bacterial DNA but cannot tell the difference between live and dead bacteria and is extremely expensive. Antibiotics may help prevent strangles infection but can also prevent the ability to develop immunity to the infection. sensitive to antibiotics like Penicillin and if treated with it at the first signs of fever, before lymph node enlargement, the infection can be prevented. However, an antibiotic treatment that is too early will prevent the horse from developing immunity to the infection, which makes them vulnerable to reinfection. Vaccines are available but are only about 50% effective and the chances of survival decrease the longer it takes to get the vaccines. The best way to prevent a strangles outbreak is by quarantining all new animals in the facility, meaning no direct contact with other animals or equipment used by other horses until you get all of them approved by a vet.
Hundreds of horses die from this or gain permanent damage to the respiratory tract requiring medical thru there entire lives. There has not been a lot of research to find a permanent solution for this disses. To the majority of horse owners there horses
Strangles is transmitted by direct contact with an infected horse or sub-clinical shedders. It is also transmitted indirectly by contact with …show more content…
But sadly in many cases, the time it takes to get a diagnosis to get approved for treatment takes to long and ends with the suffocation of the horse. Polymerase chain reaction or PCR is a faster test that detects bacterial DNA but cannot tell the difference between live and dead bacteria and is extremely expensive. Antibiotics may help prevent strangles infection but can also prevent the ability to develop immunity to the infection. sensitive to antibiotics like Penicillin and if treated with it at the first signs of fever, before lymph node enlargement, the infection can be prevented. However, an antibiotic treatment that is too early will prevent the horse from developing immunity to the infection, which makes them vulnerable to reinfection. Vaccines are available but are only about 50% effective and the chances of survival decrease the longer it takes to get the vaccines. The best way to prevent a strangles outbreak is by quarantining all new animals in the facility, meaning no direct contact with other animals or equipment used by other horses until you get all of them approved by a vet.
Hundreds of horses die from this or gain permanent damage to the respiratory tract requiring medical thru there entire lives. There has not been a lot of research to find a permanent solution for this disses. To the majority of horse owners there horses