Archive Case #19: Equine Strangles

Clinical Clues

1. A 3-year-old horse presents with fever, depression, and reduced appetite.
2. Several other horses on the property have recently developed upper respiratory signs.
3. The horse has a mucopurulent nasal discharge and enlarged submandibular lymph nodes.
4. Within days, the lymph nodes become painful and fluctuant.
5. Sampling supports infection with Streptococcus equi subspecies equi.
6. This contagious equine upper respiratory disease commonly causes abscessation of lymph nodes around the head and throat.

Diagnosis

Equine Strangles

This case is most consistent with Equine Strangles because the horse has fever, nasal discharge, and characteristic submandibular lymph node enlargement progressing to abscessation. The most important clues are the contagious herd history, lymph node involvement, and confirmation of Streptococcus equi, which distinguish it from less specific respiratory infections.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.