Strangles outbreaks on Anglesey and Rhos on Sea

There are currently concerns of Strangles outbreaks on Anglesey and Rhos on Sea.

As of April 2017, there are concerns in North Wales about a Strangles outbreak on Anglesey and in Rhos on Sea. This is an issue close to our hearts here at Farm and Pet Place so we’ve put together some information on what Strangles is and what to do if you suspect your horse may be affected. We also stock some products that are vital in protecting your horse from the spread of the infection.

What is Strangles?

Strangles is one of the most common equine contagious diseases diagnosed worldwide. It is endemic in the UK due to the number of horses that are silent “carriers” of the disease. These horses appear normal but shed bacteria-spreading infections. Unfortunately, there is a stigma about admitting the presence of Strangles in a yard which often slows diagnosis. Signs of Strangles vary in each case but include the following: fever, depression, lethargy, anorexia, nasal discharge, and swollen glands with or without a cough. It’s not an airborne disease and is spread by contact either:

1. Direct: nose-to-nose contact between infected and normal horses.

2. Indirect: via equipment, e.g. feed buckets, water troughs, tack, mucking out utensils

3. Indirect: via shared personnel, e.g. groom, instructor, farrier, vet, yard dog/cat(s).

What to do if you suspect your horse has Strangles

• Isolate the affected horse.
• Stop all movement of horses on and off the premises.
• Call your vet to discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the case.
• Contact the owners of all in-contact horses to discuss the situation.
• Minimise the number of people entering the infected zone.
• Keep other animals such as dogs or cats away.
• If the same person has to handle multiple horses in more than one group, change and disinfect protective clothing, gloves, and footwear before moving between horses.
• Dispose of all used bedding, uneaten feed, and water carefully. Spray with Virkon on the muck heap to disinfect.
• Protective clothing must be available at the entrance to isolation and disposed of properly (double bagged and taped shut).
• Once isolation is no longer required, all utensils and equipment should be thoroughly disinfected using Virkon.
• Do NOT release any horse from isolation, or off the premises until negative results for Strangles have been obtained.

What do I need to treat Strangles?

Good news! We stock all the products that you will need to help prevent any infection and for those yards suffering from an outbreak. The new Cleanround Shampoos in Cedarwood, Peach, and Strawberry have been proven to kill 99.9999% of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause the bacterium responsible for Strangles and the fungi Ringworm. The Cleanround shampoo is also effective in treating sweet-itch and mud fever in horses, relieving the symptoms of sore skin and insect bites and preventing them from becoming infected. I bought some last week and it’s a great low sud shampoo and smells great too which is a bonus as medicated shampoos don’t normally smell too great! We also have Virkon S which is recommended by vets for disinfecting stables, tools, buckets, etc. Virkon S sachets are convenient, pre-measured 50g doses of powdered, DEFRA-approved disinfectant.

For any more help or information please don’t hesitate to contact Farm and Pet Place.