OUR STRANGLES FACT SHEET

Ø Highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi

Ø First FEVER > 3 to 14 days after exposure NASAL SHEDDING 2-3 days later for 2-3 weeks

Ø SYMPTOMS: swollen lymph nodes in throat area, nasal discharge, fever, swallowing difficulties,

Ø Other SIGNS: noisy breathing, respiratory distress, draining lymph nodes

Ø Transmitted by DIRECT contact with nasal discharge or secretion from draining lymph nodes

Ø OR contaminated buckets, tack, brushes, halters, PEOPLE or anything else that had direct contact with the sick horses DISCHARGE

Ø Treatment: ISOLATION of horses , hotpack, Banamine,

Ø Antibiotics only for certain cases

Ø 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