A 20-year-old Quarter Horse cross gelding at a private facility in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, was diagnosed with strangles on Sept. 22. The horse showed clinical signs on Sept. 18, including nasal discharge and a mandibular lymph node abscess. He is currently recovering, and four other horses have been exposed to the infection.
EDCC Health Watch is a marketing program by Equine Network that provides verified equine disease reports sourced from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC). The EDCC is a nonprofit organization supported by industry donations, offering open access to infectious disease information.
About Strangles
Strangles in horses is caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and is transmitted through direct contact with infected equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses without clinical signs can still carry and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses can remain contagious for up to six weeks, potentially leading to long-term outbreaks.
Clinical signs of strangles in horses include fever, swollen or abscessed lymph nodes, nasal discharge, coughing or wheezing, muscle swelling, and difficulty swallowing.
- Fever
- Swollen and/or abscessed lymph nodes
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing or wheezing
- Muscle swelling
- Difficulty swallowing
Veterinarians diagnose strangles in horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with nasal swabs, washes, or abscess samples. Treatment is usually based on clinical signs, with antibiotics prescribed for severe cases. It’s important to avoid overusing antibiotics to allow the horse to develop immunity naturally. Most horses recover fully within three to four weeks.
While a vaccine is available, its effectiveness varies. Implementing biosecurity measures such as quarantining new horses and maintaining high levels of hygiene and disinfection can help reduce the risk of an outbreak or contain one if it occurs. Learn more about protecting your horse from strangles here.
Discover what to do in case of a strangles outbreak on your farm here.