REPORT: Equine Strangles cases reported in Saginaw, Clare counties

The Equine Disease Communicator Center has reported confirmed cases of equine strangles in Saginaw and Clare Counties.

Equine strangles is a contagious upper respiratory tract infection that affects horses.

In Saginaw County, a 9-year-old Quarter Horse mare had clinical signs of coughing and difficulty swallowing.

It was confirmed that she had on February 22. The horse is recovering.

RELATED LINK: See Equine Disease Communicator map here

In Clare County, three horses were confirmed with strangles at one location.

One quarter horse mare that was positive had onset of clinical signs on March 25.

There are approximately 30 horses at the facility, and nine additional horses have clinical signs consistent with strangles, but have not been tested.

Horses at this facility were exposed to a confirmed strangles-positive horse about 45 days ago.

Symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fever
• Yellow-colored nasal discharge from the nose and eyes