The first signs of strangles are usually a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and being slower. Usually in this stage the horse has a higher body temperature, 40° - 41° C are no exceptions. With a closer examination you can find enlarged and painful lymph nodes between the jaw arms. Sometimes the entire jaw area is swollen because of this disease.

 

In a later stage abscesses can arise. Often these abscesses occur between the jaw and the throat region. However they can occur in the entire body, also inside the body. Superficial abscesses usually break open after a while, some to the outside, others to the pharynx. In the last case an abundant outflow can appear out of the nose. Especially when there are abscesses close to the throat, horses can trouble swallowing or become even airless. In a small percentage of the cases the animals become so ill, the eventually die.

 

It seems to be that animals who have had the disease, develop a long resistance wherefor they don't often get the disease again. Some animals stay however the carrier of the bacteria and so they can remain contagious for sensitive congeners. And this while they don't show any symptoms anymore themselves.

 

 

A clear infection isn't actually treatable with medications. Although the disease is caused by a bacteria, it doesn't respond to antibiotics because the bacteria usually occurs in the abscesses where the usual antibiotics can't come Sometimes we can make it a little bit less unpleasant for the patient with certain medicins and maintain the appetite. In some cases (for example with an airless horse) it is necessary to open the abscess to decrease the pressure on the airways.

 

Sick animals are contagious from the first symptoms and mostly the animals nearby are already infected. Isolation of the patient, away from all the other horses, is a possibility to prevent spreading the disease. Taking away that animals that aren't sick (yet), but that are infected, out of the direct area of the patient can have as a result that the disease gets spread to other areas. Especially in bigger stables the disease can last for months. New animals can't enter the stable as long as the infection lasts. The bacteria can survive for a very long time (up to years) in an infected stable. Cleaning and disinfecting the stable where the patient has been standing thoroughly after it has recovered is desirable. Don't forget the manger and drinking through.

 

If you have any problems with strangles in your company or you think that one or more horses are infected with it, don't hesitate to contact us during our telephone surgery hour.