On March 13, a provincial veterinarian was called out to examine a horse with an abscess. Due to the location of abscess and clinical signs, the veterinarian was suspicious of strangles and swabbed the abscess.
Laboratory confirmation on March 19 revealed Strep. equi equi (strangles). There are several other horses on the premise.
This latest case of strangles is in the south-eastern part of the province and not related to other cases reported. A quarantine of the premise and horses has been made along with visitor restrictions. These animals are being monitored and are being provided with follow-up care.
Strangles is a highly contagious and serious infection of horses and other equids caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi (S. equi). The disease is characterized by severe inflammation of the mucosa of the head and throat, with extensive swelling and, often, rupture of the lymph nodes that produces large amounts of thick, creamy pus.
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs