Sheet
Fact sheet
hoke
strangles
a relatively common condition seen in horses es and is typically caused by obstruction of the gus (food pipe) with food; occasionally a foreign Strangles is a very common but unpleasant bacterial disease that can affect horses, ponies and even donkeys. be involved e.g. wood or plastic. Fortunately ses of choke resolve quickly and spontaneously Signs vary between individuals and can range from very mild to dramatic in appearance. The disease is caused cases in which the obstruction lasts for longer minutes are likely to require veterinary assistance. by bacteria called Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (Strep. equi) and is highly contagious being spread ortant to note that this is not the same as the by direct contact with infected discharges or with atening condition in humans, where the term refers to blockage of the windpipe rather than the contaminated clothing or equipment. Horses can be agus. This difference means that unlike humans, silent carriers of the bacteria displaying no outward signs but being capable of infecting others. with choke can still breathe.
CliniCal signs:
•
classical signs of fever, loss of appetite, depression, cough, thick nasal discharge and pain, swelling and abscess formation in the lymph nodes under the jaw and in the throat region are most commonly seen in younger horses;
•
milder signs of short term fever, dullness, loss of appetite and mild nasal discharge REGULAR DENTAL EXAMINATIONS AND are increasingly common and may TREATMENT CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF CHOKE be evidence of a previous or ongoing infection;
KEY POINTS • some cases can have serious
• • • •
complications: Don’t panic! Choke is rarely life-threatening and many cases will resolvestrangles spontaneously. • “bastard” is caused by the spread of bacteria and formation Seek veterinary advice if the chokeabscess lasts more than in different areas of body; 30 minutes and while waiting for the vet remove all • Purpura haemorrhagica inflammation food to prevent your horse eating andisworsening of the blood vessels with fluid swelling the obstruction (oedema) of the limbs, sheath and under Following an of small chokeareas it is worth monitoring theepisode belly and of bleeding or your horse’s respiratory rate (normal <16 breaths/ bruising on the mucous membranes of the min) and rectal gumstemperature and eyes. for several days.
Arrange check-ups for your horse Upregular to 10%dental of horses may recover and appear to reduce the risk of choke as a result of ahorses painfulare normal but remain infected. These mouth.‘silent carriers’ harbouring the bacteria in the guttural pouches of the throat; they can infect other horses.
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Diagnosis Diagnosis can be difficult and may require multiple tests:
•
bacterial detection on nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) swabs, guttural pouch washes and fluid collected from an abscess
• •
blood test for raised or rising antibodies carriers can be detected using a screening blood test and guttural pouch wash (flushing and collecting fluid from the pouches in the throat).
KEY POinTs:
• • • • •
highly infectious; very debilitating; affects all equines of all ages; takes a long time to treat; some horses can become silent carriers of the bacteria after infection.
XLEquine Sweet Itch strangles
Fact Sheet
medical Conditions Medical
MC
TREaTMEnT Prevention Treatment / PREvEnTIon 3.including: Preventing 1.Nursing Prevent care is the mainstay of 2. Reduce Strictthe biosecurity policies treatment involving: • quarantine new horses for three weeks prior to entry to the midges biting hypersensitivity Choke is a relatively common condition seen in scratching horses • damp/sloppy foods to aid yard; Fence off all scratching posts Avoid the midges and ponies andreaction is typically caused by obstruction of the swallowing; horses should have clear testfenced in the week out inblood paddock by Stable at times of highest oesophagus (food pipe) •withnew food; occasionally Turn aaforeign
Choke
●
●
lotions/ cream • midge warmactivity packs/poultices to help Topical the preceding entry onto the mainfence yard; to reduce the skin electric i.e. dawn and body can be involved e.g. wood or plastic. Fortunately to reduce the itching abscess mature and cleaning and trauma from scratching. It is carriers. dusk. • routine screening blood tests of horses to identify many cases of choke resolve quickly and spontaneously flushing to speed their resolution; important to electric fence off all
Tea tree oil is often used as ● Choose paddocks in well and only cases in whichWhen the lotion obstruction lasts for longer gates, trees and non-electrified anand outbreak is confirmed or strongly • drained, anti-inflammatories to make the a natural anti-itch windy areas with fencing. steroid based creams can be than 30 minutes are likely to require veterinary assistance. morevegetation comfortable. nopatient trees orfeel rotting suspected: very effective if only It is important to note that this aissmall not area the same as the and away from water Antibiotic use is controversial and mayneeds treating. close the yard to prevent horses leaving and alert all • courses. condition invisitors humans, delay abscess burstinglife-threatening and increase to thewhere yard; the term In-feed supplements such as Provide a barrier to the midges “choke” refers to blockage of the windpipe rather than the the risk of complications (cases should Cavalesse® can • be effective institute at the protocol for dealing with an outbreak of individually assessed). use of close fittingoesophagus. cover ● beThe This difference means that unlike humans, reducing the hypersensivity reaction. infectious disease; up rugs are very successful horses with choke can still breathe. Following recovery, a guttural pouch Steroid anti-inflammatories • isolate infected animals and all in contacts; e.g.should the Boett and to confirm wash beBlanket performed These are very effective at ● masks to cover the face. resolution of disease. • clean and disinfect all equipment; reducing the itching and Thick Vaseline/cream barrier ● unless the is clear, investigation should be carried • reaction hypersensivity but source can can provide a deterrent in the out to identify and treat carriers of the disease. carry a low risk of laminitis so groin area. may not be suitable. A vaccine is available in the UK that reduces the severity of Repel the midges Desensitisationsigns use may be recommended in some yards following a Fly repellents especially ● specific assessment. those containing DEET can These treatments userisk initial tiny ● be useful to repel midges but doses of midge saliva extract are not nearly as successful then ever increasing doses of the barrier culty/repeated as attempts at method. allergen are injected. This has lowing been successful in some cases. ching/arching of the neck ●
ical signs:
ghing
KEY PoInTS
& saliva discharging from the nose ● Sweet itch is a widespread problem, about one in twenty oling horses in the UK are affected. nterest in food● Treatment is aimed at controlling the problem - there is REGULAR DENTAL EXAMINATIONS AND currently no effective cure. TREATMENT CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF CHOKE asionally a lump may be seen or felt must be started early each year before the midges he left side of●the Treatment neck. first appear. KEY POINTS uspect your horse is suffering from Cover-up rugs are probably the most effective single treatment ● is important to prevent your horse option but they must fit very closely and have a belly panel. s this will make the blockage worse • Don’t panic! Choke is rarely life-threatening and Measures must be started prior to the midge season to prevent ● e difficult to clear. many cases will resolve spontaneously. the condition from becoming established. struction doesn’t clear quickly of its all EquiPmEnT shOuld bE ClEanEd and disinFECTEd sPrEad •predisposition Seek veterinary advice if the choke TO lastsPrEvEnT more than It is likely that there is a genetic so affected ● ord then veterinary assistance must 30 minutes and while waiting for the vet remove all aFFECTED HoRSE TaIL oF individuals should not be used for breeding. ht. There are a number of steps food to prevent your horse eating and worsening can take to help to confirm and treat the obstruction lem. further information contact your local XLEquine practice: • Following an episodeFor of choke it is worth monitoring and ponies with dental problems your horse’s respiratory rate (normal <16 breaths/ vent them grinding their food min) and rectal temperature for several days. ), individuals that bolt their food too • Arrange regular dental check-ups for your horse and those fed XLEquine dry pelleted or cubed is a novel and exciting initiative conceived from within to reduce the risk of choke as a result of a painful e all at increased risk. profession made up of independently owned, the veterinary progressive veterinary practices located throughout themouth. United Kingdom, members of XLEquine are committed to working together for the benefit of all their clients. © XLVet UK Ltd.
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