Strangles
This disease is a highly contagious debilitating respiratory bacterial disease of horses of all ages. Young horses are particularly susceptible and show signs of fever, thick nasal discharge, coughing, anorexia, lethargy and swollen glands, especially around the head and neck. The glands often abscessate, but can also enlarge to such a degree that airways can be restricted causing breathing difficulties. In some cases the abscesses can occur within other body organs, which can have fatal consequences.

In November 2004, Intervet UK Ltd launched a new vaccine which will control and markedly reduce the incidence and severity of the disease. This is a live vaccine which in trials has shown an average of 75% protection compared with the controls.

The vaccine is administered by a small pinprick injection under the upper lip. Foals can be vaccinated from four months of age and two injections are given four weeks apart. The vaccine has a three month duration following the second vaccination and horses in high risk situations should be re-vaccinated with a single dose four times a year. Medium risk horses can be vaccinated twice yearly, with a booster vaccination given immediately after an outbreak occurs.

Generally, it is not required to vaccinate low risk situations.