Friday, May 18, 2012

Equine Strangles

Equine Strangles!!

(Figure 1)


(Figure 2)


The disease process that may cause throat latch swelling AND limb swelling is commonly known as Equine Strangles. This disease is caused by a bacteria known as Streptococcus Equi subspecies Equi. Most commonly it results in enlargement of the lymphnodes within the throat latch area that may narrow the airway of the horse, hence the term "strangles". In severe cases, a temporary tracheotomy is necessary to save the horses life! (Figure 1). These lymph nodes may rupture and drain purulent debris from the outside or from within the guttural pouches (Figure 2). These horses are typically febrile, depressed, and highly contagious! Occasionally, the horse will develop a hyper-immune response known as purpura hemorrhagica. This immune response to the bacteria results in severe swelling of one or multiple limbs (Figure 3)  and can be triggered by the vaccination of a horse that was recently sick with the disease.


(Figure 4)

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2 comments:

  1. Dr. Porter,

    Even though I now live in SC, I want to thank you for posting these interesting cases on your blog. I think it's wonderful that you educate your clientele as well as treat their horses. Hope life is going well for you!

    Thanks,
    Beverly Nahman

    ReplyDelete