Treatment of Strangles Carriers
The guttural pouches of animals that had been diagnosed as carriers were cleared of as much gross contamination as possible by utilising either lavage and/or the transendoscopic methods described by Verheyen et al. (2000). Each of the guttural pouches of these cases was then treated topically with 50 mls of procaine benzypenicillin (Depocillin™, Intervet, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK). Alternative topical treatments that have also proved effective include infusions of either benzylpenicillin (Crystapen™ 5 Mega; Schering-Plough Animal Health, Harefield, Middlesex, UK) or potentiated sulphonamides (e.g. Trimediazine™ Paste, Vétoquinol, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, UK) [Table 1].
Table 1: Topical guttural pouch treatments for S. equi carriers.
Drug: |
Preparation: |
Procaine benzylpenicillin |
50 mls of Depocillin™ |
Benzylpenicillin |
2 vials of Crystapen™ 5 Mega mixed with 20 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with 3% w/v agar added |
Trimethoprim-sulphadiazine |
½ tube of Trimediazine™ Paste mixed with 30 ml PBS |
Benzylpenicillin (Crystapen™) mixed in a suitable sterile fluid, such as PBS, has been found to be particularly effective at removing large quantities of caseous empyema from the guttural pouches, although repeated treatments may be required (the use of indwelling Foley catheters should be considered for such repeated treatments).
In a minority of cases, despite repeated topical treatments, carriage of S. equi persisted; these animals were treated additionally with oral potentiated sulphonamides (Trimediazine™ Plain; Vétoquinol) and oral mucolytics (Sputolosin® Powder; Boehringer Ingelheim, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK) for 14 days using the manufacturer’s dosing regimens.
