Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 3rd November 2021
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

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.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."