Strangles is a highly contagious,
although usually not fatal, upper
respiratory disease affecting mainly
young horses. Strangles is also known
as equine distemper. It is caused by a
bacteria and is transmitted from on
horse to another through nasal
discharges, and indirectly from
contaminated feed, pasture, water
troughs, etc.
The disease usually has 3 to 8 day
incubation period, followed by a high
fever (103-106 degrees) nasal
discharge, cough, swollen lymph
glands (abscess) in the neck area and
depression. Swelling my be sufficient
enough to cause difficulty in breathing
and swallowing, giving the disease it’s
name – strangles. In 10 to 14 days the
abscesses rupture expelling yellowish
pus. Recovery generally occurs 1 to 2
weeks after abscess rupture. (3 to 6
weeks after the onset of clinical
signs.)
The disease usually occurs in horses 1
to 5 years old. All horses exposed
should be kept isolated from
unexposed horses for at least six
weeks. It is recommended not to use
antibiotic therapy on horses with
strangles unless administered by a
veterinarian. Fluid therapy and
surgical drainage of abscesses may
also be necessary. It is, therefore,
advised to contact your veterinarian if
there is a possibility of exposure of
strangles.
Complications
Infection is usually restricted to the
head and neck but, in up to 8% of
cases, it may spread to other organs
and cause abscesses. This is usually
fatal and is known as "bastard
strangles". Another complication which
is usually fatal but less common, is
known as "purpura haemorraghica".
Affected horses bleed into the gums
and other organs such as the lungs.
animals
Transmission of S. equi infections
requires fairly close contact between
infected and susceptible animals and
mechanical transmission is also
common. Spread occurs frequently
through shared water sources where
the bacterium will live for long periods.
Therefore outbreaks in grazing
animals with shared water supplies can
be fairly explosive. Spread of infection
can also occur via tack or handlers and
Prevention
Prevention includes avoiding exposure
to horses or farms where there have
been reported or suspected cases of
strangles, or farms where horse health
is questionable.
There are also vaccinations available;
intramuscular injection – not
recommended due to the high rate of
reaction at the injection site; There is
also an intranasal vaccine available
with far less side affects. If there is a
risk factor in your area, talk to your
veterinarian about vaccination
recommendation.
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