Strangles is a highly contagious upper respiratory bacterial infection in horses.

Route

The disease is contracted through environmental contamination, nasal discharge, or direct contact with infected animals.

Symptoms

High fever of 103 to 106 degrees F, loss of appetite, a moist cough, clear nasal discharge that becomes yellow, difficulty in breathing and swallowing (as if strangling, hence the name), and swelling of submandibular (under the jaw) lymph nodes that rupture

Treatment

Isolation; antibiotics such as penicillin can be used before abscesses develop; antibiotic treatment should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis

Prevention

Vaccination

See Bacterial Diseases of the Horse for more information.