Mention the word "strangles" and many horse owners become anxious, agitated, and downright dismayed. But, why?
First of all, strangles is extremely contagious and means loads of work for the horse owner in addition to the anxiety of dealing with a sick horse.
Sick horse - Hoping it isn't strangles
Caused by Streptococcus equi, strangles is passed from one horse to another through nasal secretions and pus secreted from ruptured abscesses in the lymph nodes.
Caused by Streptococcus equi, the disease is passed from one horse to another through nasal secretions and pus secreted from ruptured abscesses in the lymph nodes. Nasal drippings and pus can be found on contaminated water buckets, brushes, stalls, fences, or any other surface in the stable or pasture area that the horse touches, making clean-up and disinfecting the environment difficult and time consuming.
Second, the main complications that can occur include extreme swelling of lymph nodes to the point that airways are compressed and the horse's ability to breathe becomes restricted. In this case, a tracheotomy may be necessary to create an open airway.
Third, another complication occurs when pus from the ruptured lymph nodes drains into the horse's lungs, causing a secondary infection of pneumonia. In a horse already weakened by the disease, treatment of the secondary infection becomes necessary and may have to include a round of antibiotics.
Fourth, another potential complication of strangles is a condition called "purpura hemorrhagica," which is a relatively rare but severe immune-mediated disorder that can arise several weeks after a horse develops strangles (or after vaccination). Horses with purpura hemorrhagica develop bruising and swelling over large parts of the body.
Treatment of strangles depends on the general health of the horse and the severity and stage of the particular horse's case. Penicillin has been effective, but should be administered during the initial stages of the disease or after any abscesses have ruptured. Once abscesses form, penicillin has been reported to delay the opening and draining of the abscesses, which can lead to complications.
As experienced horse owners know, strangles is no trifling matter when it comes to horse health and keeping the premises clean.
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