Strangles caused by Streptococcus equi is a highly contagious respiratory disease in horses causing painful lymph node abscesses and significant welfare suffering.
Horses with strangles experience significant pain from swollen and abscessing lymph nodes. The fever and discomfort of the acute phase prevent eating and drinking. Bastard strangles with internal abscess formation causes chronic debilitation, colic, and often death. Isolation of infected horses is necessary but creates social welfare costs. Welfare-focused management provides adequate analgesia during the acute phase, supports fluid and nutrition intake, and monitors for complications. Vaccination reduces clinical severity and disease prevalence.