High profile strangles outbreak at Gatcombe
With a recent high profile outbreak of strangles in the run up to Gatcombe
Horse Trials in Gloucestershire at the beginning of April, additional outbreaks
of this devastating disease have also been reported in East Yorkshire,
Lincolnshire, Hampshire and Shropshire.
As the summer competition season gets under way, the BHS (British Horse
Society) is urging horse owners to remain vigilant to ensure that this
potentially fatal disease doesn’t hit their horses. Strangles is transmitted by direct horse-to-horse contact or indirect
contact via people, tack, feed and equipment. Clinical signs include
high temperature, nasal discharge, cough, depression, lack of appetite,
respiratory distress and enlarged glands on the head and neck, which
may become abscesses. In some cases, the swollen glands can restrict
the airway and make breathing laboured, hence the name strangles. In
addition, an added complication is that about 10% of horses may become ‘carriers’ (horses
who harbour the disease with no outward signs) and then pass it to other
horses. Helen Owens, senior executive of the Welfare Department at the BHS,
comments: “If you do suspect that a horse on your yard has strangles,
it is vital to contact your vet immediately. Strangles is not a notifiable
disease, however the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) Code of Practice
recommends that horse owners report outbreaks to their relevant breed
association or to our welfare department, which collates information
on outbreaks. It is also advisable to inform any local horse owners and
yards to ensure that they are aware of the outbreak and keep away from
the infected premises. Your vet will also advise you on hygiene and quarantine
procedures to ensure that the disease isn’t to spread to other ‘clean’ horses
on the yard.” For further information on strangles or vaccination against the disease,
please contact your vet or phone Intervet’s Support Team on 01908
685685.
Article first published April 2005
| 
