Summary
Strangles is a bacterial infection that is caused by Streptococcus equi and targets horses. The first documentation of the disease was in 1251 and outbreaks have been occurring ever since. The name of the disease originated from one of the main symptoms, large infected lymph nodes that causes obstructed airways. Although the infection spreads quickly through farms and stables, if it is caught early and treated many horses will survive.
Gram Positive Streptococcus Equi
| Formal binomial name of microbe: | Streptococcus equi |
| Gram stain (gram positive, gram negative or neither): | Gram Positive |
| Is the microbe mobile or immobile? | Immobile |
| Primary habitat? (Where is the organism normally found or prefer to live?) | Farms |
| Can the organism infect humans? | No |
| Can the organism infect other species? If so, which ones. | Yes, horses |
| Documented cases of antimicrobial resistance? | Yes |
| Number of infections per year in the US | No current data available.
Became a reportable disease in 2017 |
| Number of infections per year in the world | N/A – no current data available. |
Symptoms
Strangles can be transmitted in many ways, including contaminated water troughs, food tubs, and equipment. Symptoms of the disease may appear in horses three to fourteen days after exposure. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Pus accumulation
- Anorexia
- Difficulty swallowing
- Depression
Enlargement of the mandibular lymph node and Retropharyngeal lymph node are symptoms of Strangles.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If owners suspect that their horse may have contracted Strangles, there are three different ways that the horse may be diagnosed. Veterinarians may culture the nasal discharge for the presence of the bacteria. They may also do a polymerase chain reaction which will detect Streptococcus equi or they may do a blood test. If Streptococcus equi is confirmed owners and veterinarians must take action. Antibiotics are a controversial treatment as they have been known to treat some symptoms of the disease such as fever, but if Strangles is in an advanced form drastic measures such as tracheostomies may be done.
Management and Prevention
There are many ways to manage an infection of Streptococcus equi. Owners can ensure that they disinfect all equipment after each use, clean water troughs, remove manure, and isolate infected horses. In order to prevent the infection from occurring, owners can vaccinate their horses, require a health certificate for new horses, and quarantine new horses for a couple weeks to monitor their health conditions.
News
Article #1
In the Paulick Report, it was documented that on June 29th a horse kept at Delaware Park had been diagnosed with Strangles and removed from the barn. Although it was reported that no other horses had been positively confirmed, no horses stabled at Delaware Park will be allowed into a Kentucky race track for a period of time.
Article #2
The Maui News reported that despite the presence of strangles in Maui horses, the rodeo that had been planned will continue on. For horses to participate in the rodeo, owners must show a certificate that proves vaccination. The committee will take extra precautions to ensure the infection is controlled.
Article #3
In Lincoln, Nebraska a camp counselor has become a hero. 1011 Now reports that as a camp counselor and her crew were taking their horse Moo to the vet they realized that he could not breathe. With a veterinarian on facetime, a pocket knife, duct tape, and a milk jug an emergency tracheotomy was performed and Moo who had contracted Strangles was saved.
References
“Camp Counselor Saves Horse’s Life with Emergency Tracheotomy”; 1011 now; https://www.1011now.com/content/news/Camp-counselor-saves-horses-life-with-emergency-tracheotomy–511259911.html
“Kentucky State Vet: Horses from Delaware Park Banned During Outbreak”; paulick report; https://www.paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/kentucky-state-vet-horses-from-delaware-park-banned-during-strangles-outbreak/
“Rodeo Takes Some Precautions After Spate of Strangles Cases”; the maui news; https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2019/06/rodeo-takes-some-precautions-after-spate-of-strangles-cases/
“Survival of Streptococcus equi on surfaces on an outdoor environment”; US national library of medicine national institutes of health; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726026/
“Understanding Equine Strangles”; american association of equine practitioners; https://aaep.org/horsehealth/understanding-equine-strangles