Equi can survive in the environment for weeks to months. Exposure of a horse to Strep. Equi does not necessarily mean that it will come down with strangles. Previously exposed horses are often immune to the disease, or do not get as sick as unexposed horses. During the first three to six months of life, foals are often protected by maternal antibodies.
Vaccination can also increase resistance to disease.
However, the most risk is from acutely ill or recovering horses that are still shedding bacteria in their nasal secretions. Treatment of Strangles Due to the possibility of serious complications, a veterinarian should always be consulted when Strangles is suspected. Since Strangles is a reportable disease in Maine, your veterinarian is obligated to report any confirmed cases to the State Veterinarian. Although strangles can be diagnosed based on symptoms alone, it is confirmed by identification of the causative organism in fluids from the throat, nasal passages or abscesses. Bacterial culture results have a turnaround time of two to three days.