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Highly contagious
bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi
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First FEVER >
3 to 14 days after exposure NASAL SHEDDING 2-3 days later for 2-3 weeks
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SYMPTOMS: swollen
lymph nodes in throat area, nasal discharge, fever, swallowing difficulties,
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Other SIGNS:
noisy breathing, respiratory distress, draining lymph nodes
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Transmitted by
DIRECT contact with nasal discharge
or secretion from draining lymph nodes
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OR contaminated
buckets, tack, brushes, halters, PEOPLE or anything else that had direct
contact with the sick horses DISCHARGE
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Treatment:
ISOLATION of horses , hotpack, Banamine,
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Antibiotics only
for certain cases
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STRANGLES is NOT
an AIRBORNE disease!
What to do?
HYGIENE – HYGIENE – HYGIENE - ONE HORSE –
ONE BUCKET – NO SHARING!
STOP MOVEMENT of HORSES to and from BARN
SEPARATE into 3 groups:
1. Infected
horses
2. Horses
that have been exposed or contacted infected horses
3. Clean
horses with no exposure
ALWAYS handle clean
horses first if possible. Assign a separate person for infected horses
WASH YOUR HANDS - SEPARATE CLEANING EQUIPMENT – TACK - PASTURES
First CLEANING and
then DISINFECTION (BLEACH) of all used equipment – DAILY
Bacteria can survive up to several weeks (months) in the
environment (UV light kills Strept.)
Recovered horses may be potential SOURCES of INFECTION for
at least 6 weeks
There may be asymptomatic carriers!
For more info see:
www.aaep.org/horseowner
