STRANGLES - Redwings

Part Five
IF IT HAPPENS…
A new arrival to Redwings
has a routine endoscopy
You must quarantine any horse displaying symptoms
immediately. You must restrict the movement of any
horses that came into contact with that particular horse.
1) Physically move the horses on the yard into three
quarantine groups. Make sure each group is
easily identifiable:
Group One: Infected horses and those displaying
symptoms
Group Two: Those that have been in direct or close
contact with the infected horses
Group Three: Those that have not been exposed to
either of the above groups
Strangles has a 7 to 14 day incubation period. This
means that groups two and three will show Strangles
symptoms within two weeks if they have come
into contact with the bacteria. However, we would
recommend that you keep groups two and three apart
until quarantine has been lifted and you have been
given the ‘all clear’ by a vet.
2) Notify vets straight away. Tell them you suspect
Strangles and that you have set up quarantine areas
to ensure they arrive equipped with the required
drugs and equipment.
3) Ensure your quarantine areas are well stocked with
all the necessary equipment, as listed on the
‘Quarantine set-up checklist’.
4) Notify all staff and livery yard users of what is
happening, and make sure everybody has copies of the
‘Quarantine protocol’. Make sure you have a procedure
in place for the disposal of muck, leftover forage and
used bedding from the quarantine area. It is important
that everybody complies with the quarantine protocol,
otherwise your efforts will be fruitless.
5) Stop all movement of horses on or off the yard. Make
sure ‘Quarantine area notices’ are clearly displayed
and that the boundaries are clear.
6) Regularly communicate with those on the yard so
everybody is up to date with the situation. Advise any
neighbours who look after horses.
7) Disinfect the area where the horse showing clinical
signs was found.
Care and management of Group One
Your vet will advise you on antibiotics and pain relief.
They will diagnose Strangles through one of three
methods:
1) Swabbing is where three consecutive swabs are taken
at weekly intervals and sent for testing in a lab.
2) Testing via endoscopy is the most reliable method. A
sample is taken directly from the guttural pouch in the
throat and sent for testing. This can also determine
whether a horse is a carrier or not.
3) Blood tests identify if a horse has antibodies to the
Strangles bacteria in their bloodstream. Antibodies
are produced approximately two weeks following
exposure to the bacteria and last up to six months.
Horses that have been exposed to the bacteria in the
last six months will test positive.
Keep the horse in a stable if possible, as it will be feeling
unwell and will need to rest and stay warm.
Make all feeds nice and soft in texture. The horse may
struggle to reach the floor as it will have a sore throat.
You can use a stable manger or raise its feed bowl from
the floor using upturned tyres or a plastic bin. However,
if the horse has ruptured abscesses, feeding from the
floor can help them drain.
Bathe ruptured abscesses with cotton wool and warm
water. Use a warm compress on unruptured abscesses.
Do not attempt to squeeze abscesses or put anything
in them.
All equine professionals that visit your yard – such
as farriers – should already know how to work within
quarantine. It is important you notify visitors that
there is a quarantine area on site. If you can, ask for an
appointment towards the end of the day to prevent the
farrier needing to shower and change clothes before
touching other horses. You can spray their equipment
with disinfectant before it is taken off site.
Care and management of Group Two
Keep human movement between areas to a minimum.
Only turn out in the designated area for the horses in
this category. Use separate equipment for this group.
Keep a close eye on the horse’s demeanour and appetite.
Record their temperature at the beginning and end
of each day. Ask your vet how to do this. If you see a
sudden rise, immediately move the horse to group one.
Discuss with your vet if there is any benefit in putting
these horses on antibiotics. This will depend on
circumstances and the level of exposure. Your vet will
also advise on using the vaccine Equilis Strep E.
Care and management of Group Three
Make sure these horses do not come into contact with
any equipment used in the quarantine area, or that used
for the horses that have been in close contact.
Make sure carers and owners of the ‘clear’ horses are
respectful and supportive of quarantine practices.
Keep a close eye on these horses for any clinical signs.
If you see any clinical signs, move them to group one.
Do not mix these groups until you have
been given the ‘all clear’ by a vet.
Any horse that has had Strangles must have
a negative test result before it is removed from
quarantine. It could continue to shed bacteria for
several weeks after clinical signs have stopped –
or it could be a ‘carrier’.
This may take months, so the quicker you act at the
beginning and the more attention to detail given to
ensure a high standard of quarantine – the sooner
things will get back to normal.
Record temperatures regularly
Redwings guide to Strangles. Page 12
Redwings guide to Strangles. Page 13