Strangles (Streptoccous equi var. equi)
What is Strangles?
The disease commonly known as “Strangles” is an upper respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Streptoccocus equi var. equi. This bacterium is not a normal inhabitant of the respiratory tract. Bacteria are shed into the environment via nasal secretions or abscess material. Exposure often occurs when a horse comes into contact with an infected horse that is shedding the bacteria but looks clinically normal. Other sources of exposure are contaminated water, feed and other fomites (inanimate objects like halters, shoes, clothes, buckets, etc.) that have been in contact with the infected nasal secretions or abscess material from […]