Strangles in Horses

image of a horse with severe strangles, including swelling of the jaw from a large abscess

Strangles is a very common but unpleasant bacterial disease that can affect horses, ponies and even donkeys. Signs vary between individuals and can range from very mild to dramatic in appearance. Strangles is a disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (Strep. equi) and is highly contagious being spread by direct contact with infected discharges or with contaminated clothing or equipment. Horses can also be silent carriers of the bacteria displaying no outward signs but being capable of infecting others. Horses can be silent carriers of the bacteria…

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