Strangles is a contagious disease that can affect horses’ respiratory systems. The bacterium Streptococcus Equi, which is found in horses’ noses and throats, is responsible for the disease. Although most common in young horses, the disease can also affect older horses. Strangles can be severe or mild and sometimes can even be fatal.
Strangles can be characterized by a fever. This fever can be as high as 101 or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Other symptoms include:
* The swelling of the lymph nodes in neck and head
* Remove the nose
* Difficulty in breathing
* A loss of appetite
Strangles are diagnosed using a combination laboratory testing and clinical signs. The treatment usually involves antibiotics and sometimes hospitalization.
Vaccination and biosecurity are the best ways to prevent strangles. Strangles can quickly spread through horses and is highly contagious. Horses who have come in contact with strangles-infected horses should be kept away from them and closely monitored.