Two horses residing at a boarding facility in Douglas County, Kansas, have been diagnosed with strangles, with two more horses showing symptoms suspected to be positive for the disease.
Among the affected horses is a 26-year-old Quarter Horse gelding who tested positive for strangles on Sept. 3. The horse started showing clinical signs on Aug. 29, such as fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes.
As a precautionary measure, the impacted horses have been placed under voluntary quarantine.
EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that leverages data from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to produce and distribute verified equine disease updates. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization funded by industry contributions to offer accessible infectious disease information.
About Strangles
Strangles in horses is an infection caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and spreads through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Even horses not displaying symptoms can carry and transmit the bacteria, with recovered horses remaining contagious for up to six weeks, posing a risk of prolonged outbreaks.
Signs of strangles in infected horses may include:
- Fever
- Swollen and/or abscessed lymph nodes
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing or wheezing
- Muscle swelling
- Difficulty swallowing
Veterinarians typically diagnose strangles in horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with nasal swabs, washes, or abscess samples. Treatment usually involves antibiotics for severe cases based on clinical symptoms, although excessive antibiotic use can hinder the development of immunity in the infected horse. Most horses recover fully within three to four weeks.
While a vaccine is available, its effectiveness varies. Employing biosecurity measures such as isolating new horses and maintaining rigorous hygiene practices can help reduce the risk of an outbreak or contain one if it occurs.
unique version of the provided article by keeping the original HTML tags, images, HTML header, and main points intact. The revised content should be exclusive and suitable for integration into a WordPress platform.