Sad news for Hugs, unfortunately one of our rescue ponies has tested positive for strangles. The infected pony is doing well and is under very strict isolation and care. We are optimistic that we have contained the infection, although we are conscious how quickly strangles spreads. We are following veterinary advice including temperature checks, traffic light systems and all our bio security measures are in place. The equine yard is on lockdown to try to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.
Our youth well-being sessions will be able to continue in a separate area of the charity’s premises with the other farm animals, as the disease is specific to equines only and therefore we cannot involve any ponies at the moment in these sessions.
For those people who have recently adopted a rescue pony and are waiting for a delivery date, have recently applied to rehome a rescue pony or are waiting to visit to meet your potential pony, our rehoming officer will be in contact once we have further information from our vet or the all clear is given.
Strangles facts:
• Bacterial disease caused by Strep equi (Streptococcus equi subspecies equi)
• It is not an airborne disease, close contact between horses or direct contamination of environment is required for spread
• The incubation period is 3 – 10 days and clinical course about 3 weeks if untreated
• 10% horses may become ‘carriers’, a source of future infection. When carriers have fully recovered from strangles and aren’t showing signs of infection but are still infected, they are able to spread the bacteria to others. They can carry this for life and you will not be able to determine whether your horse is a carrier by visibly looking yourself, you will need your vet to check.
• Treating carriers – Usually, the pus from abscesses dries and forms balls called chondroids, these will be identified by your vet through a guttural pouch endoscopy. Chondroids are removed from the guttural pouch and antibiotics may be required to kill any remaining bacteria. Horses are re-examined after two weeks to check if they are then free from infection.
• It is not an airborne disease, close contact between horses or direct contamination of environment is required for spread
• The incubation period is 3 – 10 days and clinical course about 3 weeks if untreated
• 10% horses may become ‘carriers’, a source of future infection. When carriers have fully recovered from strangles and aren’t showing signs of infection but are still infected, they are able to spread the bacteria to others. They can carry this for life and you will not be able to determine whether your horse is a carrier by visibly looking yourself, you will need your vet to check.
• Treating carriers – Usually, the pus from abscesses dries and forms balls called chondroids, these will be identified by your vet through a guttural pouch endoscopy. Chondroids are removed from the guttural pouch and antibiotics may be required to kill any remaining bacteria. Horses are re-examined after two weeks to check if they are then free from infection.
Redwings have some great information and advice for anyone who wants to find out more about strangles https://www.redwings.org.uk/…/help…/what-is-strangles
