 What
is horse strangles and how can you spot the symptoms, prevent it or treat
it.
Ever since humans first relied on horses for work and recreation, strangles
has been a source of frustration. It is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus
equi (Strep. equi), and it is one of the most common equine respiratory
infections in the world.
Strangles
Symptoms of Strangles
How to prevent strangles
How to treat strangles
It can affect horses of all ages and types. Make sure you know how to
prevent it, how to spot it and what to do about it.
Strangles can kill, (in simple cases there is a one percent mortality
rate), but the major reason for concern is the speed with which strangles
spreads among horses, especially in a stable yard setting.
In large horse populations, established outbreaks may last for months,
essentially shutting down equestrian centres and livery or stable yards.
Recovered horses can become carriers and can harbour Strep Equi with
no outward clinical signs. Consequently, new or recurrent outbreaks are
likely unless costly diagnostic procedures and aggressive quarantine measures
are put in place.
 Would
you know how to manage an outbreak of strangles in your yard?
Results of a recent poll showed not all horse owners are fully aware
of the problems caused by Streptococcus equi.
- 52.45% said - I've got a theoretical quarantine plan ready to go.
(300 responses)
- 28.32% said - I would have to put a plan together at the time of an
outbreak. (162 responses)
- 19.23% said - Honestly, I don't know if I'd recognize the clinical
signs of strangles (110 responses)
Total Respondents: 572
What is equine or horse strangles :
Strangles is a respiratory infection of horses, donkeys and ponies caused
by Streptococcus equi. It is a highly contagious disease and the most
common bacterial infection of horses.
It affects the lymph nodes and is spread to other horses by direct contact
and can be spread by contaminated food, water and equipment.
Horses under 5 years of age are more susceptible than older horses and
it most often occurs when the weather is cold and damp.
Once a horse becomes infected the symptoms usually appear within 2 to
6 days. Fever, depression, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, and swollen
lymph nodes make clinical diagnosis straightforward.
Isolation of Streptococcus equi from the nose and throat (including the
guttural pouch) with swabs taken from the nasopharynx and from abscesses
will confirm the clinical diagnosis.
How common is the strangles disease :
While strangles is rarely fatal (1% of cases), it is one of the most
common equine respiratory infections which causes major economic loss
to the equine industry worldwide due to its prolonged course, recovery
period and associated serious complications.
The International Collating Centre reports that strangles is responsible
for 30% of infectious diseases.
In Sweden, where strangles and equine flu are notifiable diseases, there
are approximately four cases of strangles for every case of equine flu.
Once inside a stable or yard, strangles can quickly spread through direct
contact with other horses or via indirect contact with :
- Human handlers who feed treats
- Horse tack and equipment
- Shared feed buckets and drinking bowls
- Clothing and rugs
- Riders and grooms hands
- Transmission frequently occurs through shared water sources where
the bacterium lives for longer periods of time.
The bacterium enters the lymph glands via the respiratory tract and may
harbour in the guttural pouch. The lymph nodes swell and can rupture,
shedding the bacteria into the environment.
It is thought that the bacteria can survive in water for at least four
weeks, and up to eight weeks on tack or wood.
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