How to treat strangles - The prevention and management of strangles
and can your vet treat strangles : 
The treatment of strangles relies mainly on the horse owner, but how
to treat strangles is down to your vet, who can treat the symptoms and
instruct you on how to keep your horse comfortable and possibly prevent
further outbreaks.
Strangles
Symptoms of Strangles
How to prevent strangles
How to treat strangles
Can my vet treat strangles or what can my vet do :
Any horse suspected of suffering from strangles should be isolated from
all other horses and veterinary advice should be sought immediately.
Strangles is almost always very difficult to treat and treatment often
revolves around your supportive care, good stable management and hygiene.
This is determined by your attending vet.
Your vet may not always use antibiotics since studies have shown that
antimicrobials cannot easily penetrate the abscess capsule. Assessing
the use of antibiotics is best left to your attending vet
If your vet prescribes antibiotics they will usually resolve the infection
but in severe cases the abscess or abscesses may need to be lanced and
the horse fed intravenous fluids.
After the lymph nodes swell and abscesses form, many vets will advise
only symptomatic therapy consisting of warm packs to help the abscesses
mature and possibly surgical opening.
Vets may also recommend you wash (lavage) the abscess cavity or cavities
with antiseptic solution until thay are healed. This can often be weeks
after the first signs of the disease.
Complications :
Strangles can be fatal in one percent of cases, but complications are
more frequent.
In some outbreaks, up to 10% of horses can develop abscesses in other
body organs which grow and rupture, a form known as bastard strangles.
Purpura hemorrhagica (widespread small bleeding along with fluid accumulation
(oedema) of the limbs, eye lids and gums) may occur in association with
circulating antibody complexes with Strep equi M-like protein. The peripheral
accumulation of fluid can be so extreme that circulatory failure and death
ensue.
A-typical strangles presents as flu-like symptoms, this is a complication
that can become persistent on a yard.
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