Page 659 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Possible complications

‘BASTARD STRANGLES’
VetBooks.ir Most cases of strangles recover with careful nursing. Occasionally, the infection spreads to

lymph nodes in other parts of the body. This is known as ‘bastard strangles’. The symptoms

depend on the site of infection. The affected animal may show general malaise and
unthriftiness. There may be chronic weight loss and intermittent periods of colic, raised

temperature and abnormal breathing.
Some of these animals remain below par for several months following apparent recovery.

Death may follow from eventual maturation and rupture of undetected abscesses into:
• the lungs causing pneumonia

• the abdominal cavity leading to a fatal peritonitis.

If the abscesses are in superficial sites on the body, they burst and drain without
complications.

If ‘bastard strangles’ is suspected, antibiotic therapy will be started and continued for 4–6
weeks. The white blood cell count, serum amyloid A and fibrinogen may be monitored

regularly.
Samples of peritoneal fluid may be examined.

RESPIRATORY OBSTRUCTION

Occasionally, the swollen retropharyngeal lymph nodes can cause a life-threatening
respiratory obstruction. In these cases the vet will drain the abscesses and may perform a

temporary tracheotomy to relieve the airway.

PURPURA HAEMORRHAGICA

Purpura haemorrhagica is a possible sequel to infection with strangles (see next section).

Prevention

New arrivals onto a premises should be isolated for at least 3 weeks and testing may be
undertaken.

VACCINATION

A vaccine to protect horses against strangles became available in September 2004. It is
injected into the mucosa on the inside of the horse’s upper lip. The primary course is two