What is it and how is it contracted?

STRANGLES: streptococcus equi meaning sore throat of the horse.
It is a bacteria.

The disease is spread by discharge leaking from the nose or abscess found on the throat then contaminating paddocks, stables, dams, water and food troughs and tack.

If another horse comes into contact with this discharge there is a great chance of the horse contracting it.

Social and economic issues

Horses must be isolated for 3 months with out any work if placed back in environment before then the strangles disease may reappear.

horses infected would be difficult to sell and medications can be expensive

Your friends will not want to ride with you as your horse would be leaking pus every were.

Symptoms

Symptoms include a nasal discharge, fever, swollen lymph glands, depression and loss of appitite.

Incubation period is around 3 to 14 days with in exposure and the duration of the disease can be around a month if not longer.

Long term effects on host.

Asphyxia (not being able to breath) caused by the enlarged lymph nodes closing over the wind pipe.

Bastard strangles (strangles symptoms spreading all over the body) pneumonia, abscesses, heart disease and possably death.

mortality is usually 1 in 10 horses effected with strangles but if the horse that has strangles has no complications then the mortality is lower.