The new horse on the livery yard has a draining SMLN abscess

Timelines for strangles infection and investigation • Pyrexia and lethargy are the first clinical signs, in most cases occurring 3–14 days after exposure. • Within hours of infection the bacteria cease to be detectable on the pharyngeal mucosa. • Pyrexia occurs before horses become contagious, providing an opportunity to isolate and halt the spread of infection. • Pyrexia is often marked and may persist as abscesses develop and rupture. • After infection, abscesses typically take 1–4 weeks to develop and rupture. • Nasal shedding typically starts 2–3 days after the onset of fever and persists for 2–3 weeks: far longer, and potentially indefinitely, if infection establishes within the sinuses or guttural pouches. • Horses may remain infectious for 6 weeks after purulent discharge ceases; if guttural pouches are infected shedding occurs indefinitely ...