Equine Strangles
Strangles is a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by the bacteria streptococcus equi and is very contiguous and can spread quickly among horses, especially in a stabled environment. The condition can affect any horse of any age or type and is the most common equine respiratory diseases in the world.
Strangles itself can kill, in simple cases there is a 1% mortality rate, but complications are frequent. In around 10% of cases, horses can develop abscesses in other body organs, which eventually rupture. These are known as ‘bastard’ strangles and horses with this complication are at higher risk of death.
The clinical signs of strangles can vary in intensity but from onset horses become depressed, dull, stops eating and can have a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius. Many horses will also get a swelling under the lower jaw, this is an abscess in the submandibular lymph nodes. After a few days most horses have a yellow nasal discharge, this is down to the abscesses rupturing in the nasal passages. The horse will have difficulty breathing and swallowing, a cough and increased respiratory rate.
A swab of an abscess, nasal discharge or from the back of the pharynx, pharyngeal swab, is required to culture the bacteria in a lab.
Strangles can be difficult to treat, affected horses should be isolated until four weeks after the clinical signs have resolved or until three negative swabs have been cultured each one week apart. Antibiotics may or may not be used; this should be left to the attending vet to decide.
People and equipment can spread the infection so disinfection and barrier nursing, only one person handles affected horses, should be employed. Once affected horses have recovered they have immunity against the bacteria for approximately four years.
Horses can be vaccinated against strangles and is a good way of preventing outbreaks. All horses in a yard should be vaccinated.
For more details on strangles go to:
Tags: Horse Care, horse health, Horses, strangles
