Strangles in horses
What is Strangles?
It is a commonly diagnosed infectious disease that affects all equine species.
It remains a feared disease because of its debilitating effects.
What causes this infectious disease?
It is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi.
Clinical signs are usually seen between 3 – 14 days after the horse has been in contact with the infection.
Strangles in horses can spread by direct contact, for example nose to nose contact.
Handling an infected horse then handling others can also pose a risk.
The infection can spread by sharing equipment such as feed buckets, brushes, and tack and also water troughs in fields as bacterium can survive for long periods.
Some infected horses become carriers and even though they have recovered and look normal and healthy they still Carrie the bacteria, which can survive for more than five years.
Only your vet would be able to determine if the horse is a carrier .
Prevention
An outbreak can last as long as 6 mths on a yard with inadequate isolation procedures.
New arrivals to a yard should always be isolated for a period of 2 wks, as this is the most effective way to prevent a strangles outbreak.
The “silent carrier” will always pose a risk on any yard.
A horse in quarantine should have no contact with other animals or share equipment used by other horses.
If you are looking after several horses make sure you do the quarantine horse last, so as not to pose a risk of infecting any other horse.
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Laminitis - 1
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How do i know if my horse is sick ?
What are the signs of a horse in good health?
What equipment do i need for a horse first aid kit?
When do i call a vet?
Poultice information!
Worming- 1
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Worming- 3
Horse temperature information
