Strangles in Horses: Managing an Outbreak with Welfare in Mind

Strangles caused by Streptococcus equi is one of the most common equine infectious diseases, requiring careful welfare management during outbreaks.

Key Facts

Strangles affects the upper respiratory tract and lymph nodes, causing abscess formation
It spreads rapidly through direct contact and fomites on equipment, clothing, and hands
Classic signs include fever, nasal discharge, swollen lymph nodes, and abscess rupture
Bastard strangles occurs when abscesses develop in internal lymph nodes - more serious and harder to treat
Penicillin is effective but controversy exists about antibiotic use timing during active abscesses
Guttural pouch infection establishes chronic carrier status in some recovered horses
Quarantine, isolation, and enhanced biosecurity are the cornerstone of outbreak control

Welfare Considerations

Strangles causes significant discomfort - fever, painful swollen lymph nodes, and difficulty swallowing are distressing. Horses with large abscesses may struggle to eat or breathe comfortably. Bastard strangles can be life-threatening and cause prolonged welfare compromise. Outbreak management involves difficult decisions about treatment, isolation, and personnel movement. Pain relief during the abscess phase, nutritional support for horses struggling to eat, and appropriate isolation without full social deprivation best serve welfare during outbreaks.

What You Can Do

Quarantine all new horses for 3 weeks before introduction to your property
Notify your vet immediately if strangles is suspected to begin outbreak management promptly
Isolate affected horses while maintaining social contact where possible
Provide pain relief and soft feeds to horses with painful lymph node swellings
Test recovered horses for guttural pouch carriage before ending isolation