On August 18, a 22-year-old Quarter Horse mare in St. Clair County, Michigan, was diagnosed with strangles. The mare started showing symptoms on August 16, such as coughing, depression, and increased respiratory rate. Luckily, she is currently on the path to recovery.
EDCC Health Watch, a marketing program by Equine Network, utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and share verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is a nonprofit organization supported by industry donations, providing open access to infectious disease information.
About Strangles
Strangles in horses is an infection caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi, transmitted through direct contact with other horses or contaminated surfaces. Even horses without symptoms can carry and spread the bacteria, remaining contagious for up to six weeks after recovery.
Clinical signs of strangles include fever, swollen or abscessed lymph nodes, nasal discharge, coughing or wheezing, muscle swelling, and difficulty swallowing. Veterinarians diagnose cases using PCR testing with nasal swabs, washes, or abscess samples, treating with antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can hinder immunity development, but most horses recover fully within three to four weeks.
While a vaccine is available, its effectiveness varies. Implementing biosecurity measures like quarantining new horses and maintaining high hygiene standards can help prevent or contain strangles outbreaks on a farm.