This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Respiratory System » Strangles & Streptococcus equi »
  Discussion on Type A and Type B Strangles Different in Different Parts of the Country?
Author Message
New Member:
Darlag

Posted on Saturday, Dec 7, 2002 - 1:23 am:

I have heard two theories on strangles,
One - that type A and type B are different types-strains of strangles.
and
Two - that type B is when the strangles moves deeper into the body or other lymph nodes verses under the jaw or milder as type A Strangles. I have heard that basically type B means Bastard Strangles, and that type B can be sensitive to only sulfur products at times.

I've also heard that there are different types of strangles strains depending from what part of the country it is, (like rabies in Texas is considered skunk rabies vs. rabies in some NE states is considered fox rabies). Other than that, is there a way to tell-culture further to know an exact type?

I am trying to understand some of this as a horse was brought to my farm and the entire pasture he was put in (after being penned separately for several days first) came down with strangles except for him. There was a total of 8 horses, 6 long yearlings, 2 adults ages 4 & 9. I was told after the fact that the colt had had a very bad case of type B stranges that erupted in lymph glands around his ears and neck. The whole farm he was on got the type B-Bastard strangles. This was 3 months before he came here. The culture taken from my farm was positive for strangles and showed sensitivity to ciprol along with the penicillin class. Yet the claim from the other farm is that he wouldn't have carried it in being theirs was type B Strangles only sensitive to sulfur. I used the Diagnostics lab at A&M in College Station, Texas. Should I have or could they have further tested this for type B? I have not talked to the actual vet that treated the horses at the other farm as it is in another state out east and they believe their strangles came in from a mare brought in from Texas.

Thank you for any clarification you might be able to give me.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 7:37 am:

Though you are correct that there are several clinical courses to a Strangles infection currently we do not think the variety of the organism is responsible but differing immune statuses of the horse, stress, physical conditions, and treatment are the most likely causes for the various outcomes. Same organism, different outcomes. For more on this see the article on Strangles associated with this forum.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC