Attitudes and experiences of UK vets towards control and prevention of strangles.

The research article discusses a survey conducted by Cambridge vet student Katie Riley exploring the attitudes and experiences of UK veterinarians towards the prevention and control of strangles, a highly infectious horse disease, and the use of vaccination.

Survey on UK Veterinarians’ Attitudes

• The primary focus of the research conducted by Katie Riley was to understand the perceptions and experiences of UK vets in the context of strangles prevention and control. Strangles is a common and highly infectious disease in horses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi. It results in severe respiratory infections and can even cause the death of the horse.
• The research threw light on the attitudes of veterinarians towards the disease and its prevention, which is a crucial aspect considering the gravity of the illness and the role vets play in its control.

Focus on Vaccination

• Another significant element of the research was to study the vets’ attitudes towards the use of vaccinations as a preventive measure against strangles.
• Vaccination is an effective tool in preventing many infectious diseases, however, the acceptability and use of these vaccinations vary. By understanding the perspectives of the vets, it could contribute to successful implementation of vaccination programs.

Collaboration with Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance

• Alongside Katie Riley, Fleur Whitlock, Abigail McGlennon, and Richard Newton of Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, were also key contributors to this research. Their expertise in the field aided in the comprehension and conclusions drawn from the survey responses.
• Their discussion of the findings shed light on what approaches and practices are currently adopted in the field and what changes may be necessary to improve prevention and control of strangles among the horse population in the UK.