The bacterium infects the lymph nodes around the jaw and neck region by creating abscesses that bust. The infected lymph nodes swell and press on the structures in the upper respiratory system, making breathing difficult. Thus, the horse behaves or looks like it is being strangled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strangles affects horses, ponies, and donkeys of all breeds and ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nSigns and Symptoms of Strangles in Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The severity of the disease varies from young to older horses. Young horses show more severe clinical signs, while older horses show less severity in clinical signs. When a horse comes into contact with the bacterium, it takes three to eight days to show clinical signs. This is known as the incubation period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fever is the first sign of strangles and occurs two to three days after being infected. Fever is followed several days later by nasal discharges. Nasal discharges start as thin and watery and later become thick and yellow, resembling pus. The discharges are small initially but become voluminous over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a week, the horse gets swollen lymph nodes. Abscesses (collection of pus in an area) form in the swollen lymph nodes. The abscess on the lymph nodes may rupture after a week and drain into the guttural pouch and the skin around the jaw and neck. The guttural pouch is an air-filled sac that forms part of the eustachian tube (a passageway that connects your throat to the middle ear). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other signs and symptoms include; lethargy (sluggishness), depression, anorexia (loss of appetite), and cough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The enlargement of the lymph nodes can cause a respiratory obstruction characterized by heavy, labored breathing and difficulty in swallowing, leading to loss of appetite. The horse may hold its head down with its nose thrust forward to alleviate the pain and help respiration. There are also noises made during respiratory inspiration when breathing in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though there is respiratory obstruction, complete obstruction does not occur. Sometimes, an infected horse may develop all the signs and symptoms of strangles without the lymph nodes swelling and producing abscesses. This is known as an atypical or catarrhal form of strangles. Others too develop all the signs and symptoms of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is Strangles an Infectious Equine Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An infectious disease is caused by harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi. They tend to spread from one animal to the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strangles is an equine infectious disease with high morbidity (arising in sickness) but low mortality (death rate) – around 40%, usually from complicated cases. It is highly contagious. Younger horses are more affected, and older horses have an increased risk of infection or re-infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bacteria, Streptococcus equi<\/em> subspecies equi<\/em> is highly host-adapted, affecting only horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and zebras. Its ability to live in the environment depends on the temperature and humidity available. But S. equi <\/em>is highly subject to extreme heat, dryness\/dehydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Strangles in horses are diagnosed in the laboratory. Samples are taken from nasal swabs, guttural pouches wash, nasal washes, and needle aspirates from abscesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These samples are cultured to detect the presence of S. equi. <\/em>Microbial cultures are relatively not expensive, and they are widely available. The disadvantage of microbial cultures is that detection is restricted when the infection is in the early stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way of diagnosing strangles is using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This method is swift and very sensitive, but it does not differentiate between a dead bacterium and a living one. Thus, with PCR, a positive result doesn’t always mean a present infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Imaging such as endoscopy, ultrasound of the retropharyngeal area, and radiography of the skull may be used to determine the location of abscesses in complicated cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood tests can also be taken from healthy-looking horses to determine whether they are carriers or have been previously exposed to the disease. Horses with a high antibody level in their blood signify a recent infection. However, it can also signify potential carriers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In cases like these, the only accurate way to differentiate a potential carrier from a recovered horse is to test the guttural wash. An endoscope is used to enter the guttural pouch, and it is flushed with saline, and the fluid that runs back out of the horse’s nose is collected. This fluid is analyzed for dead and living bacteria. Dead bacteria signifying recovered horse and living bacteria signifying carriers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no known fixed treatment for strangles. Usually, it is treated by supportive care and rest. Sometimes, depending on the severity, the horse’s immune system is allowed to recover on its own. If this is done, the horse builds a long-term immunity to strangles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensure that the horse is eating and drinking water during this period. Feed wet and sloppy food on the floor to encourage swallowing and allow the abscesses to drain easily. The environment for housing sick horses should be warm, dry, and free of dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since a bacterial infection cause strangles, it would be appropriate to treat them with antibiotics. The most common types of antibiotics given are penicillin, ampicillin, and ceftiofur. These drugs are given after the onset of fever when a veterinarian has diagnosed the disease. It is advantageous in the prevention of abscesses and to relieve airway obstruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people prefer not to give antibiotics when the abscess has already been formed. This is because the abscess forms a dense capsule which prevents the antibiotics from reaching it. Thus, the infection continues to spread and delays healing. Therefore, antibiotics are advised to be given at the onset of the condition before the formation of the abscesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Antibiotics should be given correctly and with the correct dose, and at the right time to prevent the bacterium from building resistance. Antibiotics are vital because it shortens the course of the disease and prevents complication. However, the disadvantage of giving antibiotics is that it prevents the horses from building immunity to the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), which are pain killers, are given to the horses to manage the pain, reduce fever and improve appetite. For horses with abscesses in their lymph nodes, hot packing or topical ichthammol is placed on the abscess to facilitate maturation and rupture. They may also require that the abscess be flushed with dilute povidone-iodine once they have been opened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In severe complications, tracheotomy (surgical opening of the trachea\/windpipe) is done in severe respiratory distress. For carriers, dried pus (chondroid) is removed from the guttural pouches, and also topical antibiotics like penicillin are also used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It may take up to several weeks until the infection is completely cleared up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prevention of every disease is key to promoting good health. However, shedding of the bacteria that causes strangles occurs even before clinical signs begin. Therefore, the best way to prevent strangles is to minimize exposure to the bacterium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These include avoiding overcrowding and excessive traveling to prevent picking up the bacterium from another farm\/ranch or an infected place. Also making sure your horses are well fed to prevent them from succumbing to diseases easily. Finally, avoid allowing your horses to interact with other horses from different areas. For example, do not allow your horses to share buckets, towels, water, and other equipment with other horses when you go for shows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vaccination is recommended on farms\/ranches with frequent and high outbreaks of strangles. The vaccine can be given inside the upper lip as a submucosal injection. Some are also given intranasally, with two doses given initially within two to three weeks and a yearly booster. The vaccine should be used in conjunction with good farm\/ranch practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Quarantine new horses and observe them for two to 14 days, frequently taking their temperatures to check for any diseases before adding them to your herd. Isolation grounds should be about 10m from the rest of the group, stud or string, and all equipment and other managements issues should be kept separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Horses can have their blood tested to determine those who are carriers and those who are not before they are brought to the farm\/ranch or at the end of the isolation period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensure that your farm\/ranch is regularly disinfected. Also, provide foot dips at the entrance to the farm\/ranch and every stable to prevent the spread of microorganisms from the farm\/ranch to the outside world and from the outside world to the farm\/ranch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The severity of the disease depends on the horse’s immune system, the dose of the bacteria in the body, and the strain (subtype) of the bacteria causing the infection. Complications arising from strangles are rare (about 10%). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Strangles complications usually present as metastatic strangles\/bastard strangles where the abscesses occur in other body lymph nodes like the brain, the mammary gland, and the abdomen instead of the neck region. This is fatal. Affected horses may show signs of colic and would have abscesses draining from different parts of the body aside from the jaw and neck region. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow is Strangles Diagnosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Known Strangles Treatment for Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow Can Strangles be Prevented in Equines?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Complications Arising From Strangles in Horses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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