Four Charlottetown-area horses ill

Animals from Charlottetown barn diagnosed with contagious infection

Four horses from the same barn east of Charlottetown have been diagnosed with a contagious bacterial infection called strangles.

The barn owner immediately implemented all control measures to prevent further spread of disease, according to a statement from the province.

Strangles causes fever, cough, depression and reduced eating. Horses will develop a nasal discharge that turns very thick and pus-filled. Abscesses develop under their jaw and throatlatch, which can make them quite uncomfortable.

A horse will develop clinical signs between three to 14 days after exposure to an infected animal. A small percentage of horses can develop more serious illness, but most recover within three to four weeks. Strangles cannot be transmitted to other animals or people.

For more information on equine strangles, visit www. equine-strangles.co.uk.

The most important practices to prevent spread of strangles to other horses is isolation of the sick animal as soon as possible. Disease can be spread through direct or indirect contact.

Barns experiencing outbreaks should impose no-movement policies, monitor the animals closely, restrict visitors and prohibit new animals from the premises.

Appropriate treatment should be discussed with a veterinarian. Antibiotics may be appropriate early in the disease but supportive care is the most important treatment to promote the rupture and draining of abscesses. Vaccines are not useful to prevent spread of disease on farms experiencing an outbreak.

In a non-outbreak situation, routine vaccinations are available and may be appropriate for animals that race, go to shows or routinely mix with other horses. This vaccine, along with others, should be discussed with a veterinarian.