Following recent outbreaks of equine strangles in the Dronfield and Chesterfield areas of Derbyshire this past month, British veterinarians are alerting local horse owners of the dangers of this highly contagious disease.
Strangles: One of the most common bacterial infections
Following outbreaks of equine strangles, British veterinarians are alerting horse owners of the dangers of this highly contagious disease.
The name "strangles" was coined due to the strangled breathing sounds made by horses with enlarged lymph glands that are characteristic of the disease. A horse that is exposed to Streptococcus equi will begin to show symptoms within two to six days and the characteristic abscessed lymph nodes will develop within one to two weeks after exposure. The lymph nodes rupture and drain and the drainage is highly contagious.
Typical symptoms include lack of appetite, fever, listlessness, swelling of lymph nodes in throat area, nasal discharge that turns thick and yellow and difficulty breathing.
Separating or quarantining a horse at the earliest signs of the disease is important because the disease is highly contagious and may be passed from one horse to another via nasal secretions and pus from ruptured abscesses in the lymph nodes. Horses remain contagious for approximately a month after having the disease.
Up to ten percent of recovered animals become chronic carriers of the strangles bacteria and will subsequently spread the disease. Yards may need to close temporarily, should an outbreak occur, which can result in considerable inconvenience and economic loss.
Good horse management techniques are necessary to prevent the spread of the disease through contaminated water buckets, brushes, stalls, fences, or any other surface in the stable or pasture area. Bleach or other disinfectant should be used to wash down stalls including walls and floors, all equipment and tack, and any other surfaces that may have become contaminated by a horse with the disease. Fortunately, the bacteria die fairly quickly in the environment.