NFED Equine Health & Welfare |
Strangles Strangles is highly contagious and can have very serious consequences for horses and ponies, signs include raised temperature, nasal discharge, cough and enlarged glands on the head and throat area which may abscess, these abscesses discharge highly infectious pus, the animal usually looks very depressed. With “bastard” strangles abscesses can form internally in the major body organs, in some cases it can be fatal, however it is not always realised how easily it can be caught and spread to other equines and areas. Strangles can be
carried by humans on boots and clothing, therefore it is essential that
clothing and foot wear is changed before going near other equines or taking
a trip to feed merchants or saddlers etc. You should also inform your
vet, farrier or anyone that may be travelling from your yard to another.
The disease can also be transferred on tack, buckets and grooming kits
and through the use of shared water troughs, infected horses will frequently
leave discharge in the water after drinking, bacteria can survive on wood
for 63 days, even longer in water. Strong disinfectant should be used
on yards, equipment and foot wear. Shirley Young
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www.nfed.co.uk
Connecting the central southern equestrian community.