Figure 2. A foal showing the classic signs of strangles as a result of enlargement of abscesses in the lymph nodes, which are obstructing the airway.

Unsaddling Streptococcus equi infection of horses

Horses become infected with S. equi via the nose or mouth, most likely through ingestion of contaminated food or water (Figure 1) (Boyle et al, 2018). The bacteria attaches to and invades the mucosal...

Figure 1. Retropharyngeal and/or submandibular lymph nodes (pictured) are commonly abscessed during S. equi infection.

Nursing a horse with strangles

When a horse ingests or inhales S. equi, the bacteria move quickly to the lymph nodes around the head – most commonly the submandibular and retropharyngeal lymph nodes. By entering a lymph node,...