A. Many people believe that puppy strangles (juvenile cellulitis) is heritable, however no link has been proven. Some breeds, like golden retrievers, get the disease more frequently, so this leds us to believe that it is being passed on. Most people do not recommend breeding dogs that have had the disease as puppies because of the strong suspicion that it is heritable.
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While it can also be seen in mixed breed dogs, puppy strangles is suspected as being due to a genetic, inherited association. It typically occurs in young puppies – typically between 3 weeks of age and less than 4 months of age – and is rarely seen in adult dogs.
This condition is currently regarded as idiopathic, meaning that its cause is unknown. The condition does appear to have an immune-mediated component, meaning that the puppy`s immune system is attacking its own skin. Juvenile cellulitis may have a hereditary component.
The cause of puppy strangles is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a dysregulation of the puppy`s immune system. Puppy strangles results in facial swelling (edema), pustular dermatitis, and lymph node enlargement. Puppy strangles is not contagious to other dogs or humans.
Also called juvenile cellulitis or juvenile pyoderma, the underlying cause of puppy strangles is unknown. Three dog breeds — Golden Retrievers, Gordon Setter, and Dachshunds — appear to be more susceptible to the disease, although it can affect other mixed dog breeds as well.
It is important to avoid popping any pustules as this can be painful to your dog and make it easier for a bacterial infection to set in. There is no known way to prevent puppy strangles at this time, but once it is treated it usually does not flare up again.
Carriers can be treated (in isolation) by guttural pouch medication (involving repeated flushing with sterile saline and appropriate antibiotics) Some cases form infected hard lumps of pus in the guttural pouches.
Horses become infected through inhalation or ingestion of the bacterium. This can occur through horse-to-horse contact, drinking contaminated water, or making contact with infected material or equipment. Disease severity varies and is dependent upon the horse`s immune status and the dose and strain of the bacteria.
Use separate drinking water and feed buckets to other horses and prevent nose to nose contact. Even two layers of electric fence 2 metres apart to separate horses in the same field, preventing nose to nose contact and the sharing of drinking water can be effective at preventing the spread of Strangles.
A rare but serious immune-mediated disorder called Puppy Strangles may occasionally be seen in young dogs between 3 weeks and 4 months of age. It begins with acute swelling of the muzzle, eyes, lips, ears, and lymph nodes. Within 24-48 hours, papules, draining pustules, and crusts develop in these areas.
Transmission to Humans.
In rare cases, humans have contracted infections from the bacteria that cause Strangles. To prevent human infection, people caring for horses with Strangles should avoid getting any nasal or abscess discharge from the horse on their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Improperly cleaned and shared buckets, stalls, and tack can spread the disease between horses. Fortunately, the bacteria die fairly quickly in the environment. Once a horse is exposed to the bacteria, it will begin to show symptoms in two to six days.
This means that strangles can also survive on your clothing, on your hands, or in your hair and be transferred from one horse to another. The strangles bacteria can live in the environment for up to several weeks, depending on its living conditions (temperature, humidity, location). HOW CAN I PREVENT IT?
Kill the bacteria easily by heat and disinfectants such as an iodine-based disinfectant, chlorhexidine, or hot steam spray. Eliminating its spread will require steps such as: Cleaning and disinfecting water buckets and feed containers daily. Scrubbing to disinfect any stall areas contaminated by an infected animal.
The earliest signs of strangles are usually fever (a resting temperature above 38.5oc) and being off-colour. As the disease progresses it can cause: Thick nasal discharge. Swollen lymph nodes around the horse`s head.
Diagnostic testing to detect shedding of the bacteria which causes Strangles in horses, Streptococcus equi, currently includes bacterial isolation by aerobic culture and subsequent biochemical identification, and bacterial DNA detection by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Strangles is endemic within the UK. This means that it is relatively common within the horse population. Outbreaks cause major economic problems, particularly on big yards, as affected yards should not allow horses to leave or enter the premises during this period.
How common is strangles? Strangles is highly contagious. It can spread rapidly from animal to animal and is one of the more common bacterial infections of horses.
PINNACLE ® I.N. is the only two-dose modified-live vaccine developed to help prevent strangles caused by S. equi. PINNACLE I.N. utilizes a specially designed cannula that helps deliver the vaccine to the pharyngeal (throat) area.
How long do horses with, or exposed to, strangles need to quarantined? At least 4 weeks after the disappearance of ALL clinical signs.
Nearly 100% of the animals in an exposed herd may be infected, but the mortality rate of strangles is typically 8.1%. Death is generally attributed to nervous system infections, pneumonia, or abscesses developing in the internal organs.
Strangles is painful and debilitating and immediate veterinary intervention is recommended. Treatment includes antibacterials, opening and draining any existing abscesses, providing pain relief and general supportive care, including minimising any sources of stress.
Clinical signs
depression. fever. nasal discharge, which rapidly increases in quantity and smell. enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the throat, causing difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
