What are the symptoms of strangles in horses in the Okanagan?

Symptoms include high fever, loss of appetite, and swollen throat latch lymph nodes, which can form rupturing abscesses.

How is strangles spreading across Canada?

The disease is spreading through direct contact with infected horses or contaminated materials, and can be carried by seemingly healthy horses.

What precautions should horse owners take against strangles?

Horse owners should implement strict quarantine, biosecurity protocols, and monitor animals for symptoms like fever and nasal discharge.

Home / Health / Strangles Outbreak: Okanagan Horses Face Deadly Disease

Strangles Outbreak: Okanagan Horses Face Deadly Disease

12 Jan

•

Summary

Two Okanagan farms have confirmed strangles cases, with more suspected.
The disease causes fever, loss of appetite, and painful abscesses in horses.
Quarantine and biosecurity measures are crucial to prevent further spread.

Veterinarians in the Okanagan are issuing urgent warnings to horse owners nationwide as strangles, a highly infectious equine disease, continues to spread. Two farms in the Okanagan region currently have confirmed infections, with additional suspected cases raising concerns among local vets. The Equine Disease Communication Centre has also reported infections in Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, and numerous active cases across Ontario and Alberta.

The bacteria responsible for strangles can manifest in horses, leading to symptoms such as high fevers and anorexia. It targets the horse's lymph nodes, often causing abscesses that rupture and disseminate the infection. While not always fatal, the disease poses a significant risk to vulnerable equines and can lead to severe health complications.

To combat the spread, affected farms are advised to maintain a six-week quarantine, while neighboring facilities are voluntarily implementing shorter isolation periods. Horse owners are encouraged to monitor their animals for symptoms like nasal discharge and swollen throat lymph nodes. Though vaccines exist, they do not offer complete immunity, underscoring the importance of vigilance and preventative biosecurity measures within the equestrian community.