21/02/2023
Stay vigilant
We have been made aware of strangles in the area.
Strangles is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi that can be easily spread directly through horse-to-horse contact and indirectly, for example through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. It’s so-called because the airway can become restricted by swollen lymph nodes.
While strangles is not spread through the air (airborne), the bacteria can spread when a horse coughs or snorts.
If you suspect strangles:
*Isolate the horse(s) affected.
*Call your vet.
*Contact owner(s) – including those of horses who have been in contact with the affected horse.
*Monitor other horses on your yard for signs of infection.
*Spread the word, not the disease – tell people such as your farrier and any nearby equine property.
Symptoms:
*Fever
*Loss of appetite
*Depression
*Marked ‘snotty’ nasal discharge
*Lymph node swelling and abscesses (mainly in the head and neck region)
*Coughing
Remember not all horses will show all (or any) of these signs
Most animals recover quickly and uneventfully often with minimal treatment. However, some horses become very ill for several days and a few (around 2%) may be more serious.
The incubation period of strangles varies from 7 to 14 days. However, because infected horses can shed the bacterium for long periods, the interval between new cases in an outbreak can be far longer, up to 3 weeks or more.
Prevention:
*Good bio security can reduce the likelihood of getting strangles in the first place
*At home use separate buckets, equipment and grooming kits for each horse
*Anyone moving between yards should wash hands, change clothes and disinfect boots between yards
*When at shows, don't let horses have nose to nose contact, don't share buckets
*Disinfect boots and clothing after going to a show
*Keep written records of all horses that enter and leave the premises
*All new horses should be isolated for at least 2 weeks, and after the 2 week period the strangles blood test should be done, to check for potential carrier status
*Vaccination- not widely used in the UK
The number of strangles outbreaks in the UK has increased in recent years and particular care must be taken to ensure that animals do not become infected and pass the infection on to other horses. We understand that these outbreaks are challenging for horse owners and yards as a whole but open, honest communication and early action can prevent these outbreaks becoming a huge problem. If you have any suspicions or concerns please feel free to call us for a chat and we will help in any way we can 01626 824600.