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RVC study reveals insights on strangles
"This publication highlights the prevelance of strangles in the UK and the variation in signs that infected horses show" - Abigail McGlennon.
The study increases current understanding of the spread and control of the disease.
 
The RVC has published its new study analysing the laboratory diagnoses strangles in the veterinary journal, The Veterinary Record.

Strangles is a contagious upper respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus equi, and affects horses, ponies and donkeys. The RVC's study aims to improve understanding of the spread and control of strangles, in order reduce its impact. 

Funded by The Horse Trust, the study saw researchers analyse data from seven UK diagnostic laboratories between January 2015 and December 2019. 

Over the period studied, there were 1,617 laboratory diagnoses of strangles, with a higher number estimated when the number of potentially undiagnosed horses is taken into account. 

Findings of the study could help guide veterinary surgeons in the UK in their approach to disease diagnosis, including not ruling out a diagnosis of strangles when a horse or pony presents with more general signs of nasal discharge. The study also discovered that the description of 'classical' and 'atypical' clinical signs should be revised. 

Abigail McGlennon, PhD student at the RVC, said: “Prior to the development of the Surveillance of Equine Strangles network in 2018, there was limited information available about strangles diagnoses in the UK. 

“This publication highlights the prevalence of strangles in the UK and the variation in signs that infected horses show. 

“The results of this five year surveillance study enable the continued development of evidence-based recommendations within the equine industry to help reduce the spread of strangles and keep our horses healthy and happy.” 

Director of research and policy at The Horse Trust, Jan Rogers, added: “The Horse Trust is delighted to have enabled this research, carried out by the combined expertise of the scientists involved, which has enabled the foundation of a surveillance network and highlighted key factors which can quickly be acted on by owners in order to be able to identify strangles and reduce the spread of this horrible disease. 

“The work of these scientists fundamentally underpins the need for equine identification to become digitally based to enable accurate disease surveillance in the interests of horse wellbeing.”

Alongside the insights into the diagnosis and clinical features of strangles in UK horses, the study has also provided a resource for horse owners – an online tool which identifies in strangles outbreaks have occurred in a certain area or region, encouraging owners to stay informed and increase their biosecurity and hygiene protocols, helping to reduce the spread of strangles.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.