Strangles, which affects the upper respiratory tract, is a serious contagious disease in horses.
The disease causes the lymph nodes of the head and throat area to swell.
“The swelling can be so severe that the horse cannot breathe and could cause the horse to strangle, hence the name,” said Dr. Bob Judd, host of the Texas Vet News on the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Radio Network.
The disease is caused by a strep bacteria and the most common symptoms are nasal discharge, coughing and swelling of lymph nodes under the throat area.
Strangles is commonly found in young horses, but all horses are susceptible.
The symptoms, Judd noted, can resemble many other respiratory diseases that are caused by other bacteria, viruses or even allergies.
He encourages horse owners to not immediately administer antibiotics with the disease.
“If antibiotics are used on a horse with strangles, it will only suppress the bacteria and will not allow the disease to run its course,” he said. “And even though the horse will respond initially to antibiotics, it is likely the disease will recur once antibiotics are stopped.”
Some horses can remain carriers for a long period by maintaining the bacteria in their guttural pouches and not show any symptoms, thereby spreading the disease to more horses.
“It is recommended to check all recovering horses to make sure they are not carriers,” Judd said.
Click here for more from Judd on the TFB Radio Network.