Most horse owners have heard of strangles, but fortunately have never experienced the disease itself. With a positive strangles case identified on the Isle of Man, our vets have pulled together the following information to help both owners and yard managers navigate this tricky time.
Contact Strand Equine Vets immediately if you believe your horse could be affected by strangles.
How does strangles affect horses?
Strangles can affect horses, ponies and donkeys and is incredibly contagious. Caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi equi, the disease can potentially be fatal, but horses will usually recover in a matter of weeks if owners follow the correct treatment plan and isolation protocols.
In a small percentage of horses who have recovered from strangles, they will no longer display any clinical symptoms but will be a ‘carrier’ for the disease. This is dangerous as they can infect other horses whilst exhibiting no adverse health symptoms. Our vets can perform a guttural pouch endoscopy to check for signs your horse could be a ‘carrier’ – we will then treat them accordingly.
Why is the disease called strangles?
The disease is known as strangles due to the swelling of the lymph nodes around your horse’s throat. These will sometimes burst and the resulting pus is extremely infectious. This swelling can also lead to pain and difficulty when swallowing or breathing and your horse will usually present with a thick white or yellow mucus that drains from both nostrils.
Symptoms of strangles in horses
Strand Equine would like all owners on the Isle of Man to be vigilant for the following symptoms. If you suspect your horse could be suffering with strangles, contact us immediately on 01624 835424.
- Depression and lethargy
- Lowered head and neck or a dull appearance
- High temperature – over 38.5°C
- Persistent cough
- Thick yellow or white nasal discharge
- Reduced appetite or difficulty eating/drinking
How to keep your horse safe from strangles
This is what the team at Strand Vets recommend horse owners and yard managers action whilst we have positive cases of strangles on the island.
Stop movement
Stop any movement of equines on and off your yard. This helps to contain the spread of the outbreak amongst the island’s horse population.
Begin an isolation process
Firstly, research and understand the isolation procedures required to contain a strangles outbreak. Strand Vets recommend using the ‘traffic light’ method and can advise further on your individual yard’s requirements – contact us on 01624 835424.
If any horses are displaying symptoms of strangles, then these will be known as the red group.
Any horses that have been in contact with horses from the red group in the last 3 weeks become the amber group. Daily symptom checks and temperature monitoring should be carried out. If they become affected, this horse will then be moved to the red group.
Horses with no known contact with any red or amber groups will be classed as the green group. You should still isolate these horses away from amber/red groups, perform daily monitoring checks for clinical symptoms and stop any movement to other yards to reduce the risk of the outbreak spreading.
Inform visitors
Many of the yards we visit are regularly visited by equine professionals other than Strand Vets, such as your farrier, physiotherapist or instructor. Being honest and open with these individuals about your yard’s health status will help to reduce the spread of strangles.
For more information or to speak to one of our vets, contact Strand Vets Equine on 01624 835424.
Share this article with other local horse owners. Let’s work together to help contain the spread of strangles on the Isle of Man.
