Utah State Veterinarian Dr. Barry Pittman is urging horse owners to watch for signs of illness in their animals, especially when returning from shows or rodeo events. Eastern Utah is especially urged to be alert as an outbreak of “Strangles” has hit neighboring Western Colorado. The disease is highly contagious and associated symptoms include fever, trouble swallowing, noisy breathing, swollen lymph nodes and thick nasal discharge due to abscess formation in the head and neck. The disease affects horses, donkeys and mules but poses no threat to humans or other animals. The disease can be spread by direct contact with an infected horse or through water troughs, equipment, or people who have been in contact with an infected horse. When traveling with your horse, do not share tack, feed, tubs, water containers, trailers, pens or stalls with horses of unknown health status.
