Definition

1. Noun:
   • An acute bacterial disease of horses: "Strangles" is a specific infectious illness affecting horses, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi.
   • Characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes: The primary symptom is severe swelling and abscess formation in the lymph nodes of the head and neck, often leading to difficulty breathing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The veterinarian was called to the stable to treat a case of strangles.
  • Outbreaks of strangles can lead to quarantine measures for the affected horses.
  • The main signs of strangles include fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes.

Advanced Usage

• "To come down with strangles": to become infected with the disease.
  • Several foals in the paddock came down with strangles.
• "A strangles outbreak": a sudden occurrence of multiple cases of the disease in a population.
  • The equestrian center implemented strict biosecurity after a strangles outbreak was confirmed.

Variants and Related Words

• Strangler (n): This is not a variant of the disease "strangles." It is a separate word meaning a person or thing that strangles or chokes.
• Strangle (v): A distinct verb meaning to choke or squeeze the throat of someone or something, which is etymologically related but refers to a different action.

Synonyms

• Equine distemper: An older, less specific term sometimes used for similar respiratory infections in horses.
• Shipping fever: This is a different condition (pleuropneumonia) and not a true synonym, but it is another serious respiratory disease in horses that may be confused by non-specialists.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "strangles" is almost exclusively used in veterinary medicine and equine care. Its meaning is highly specific to the bacterial disease in horses.
• It is not used to describe human illnesses or general choking. The related verb "to strangle" has a much broader application.

Noun

1. an acute bacterial disease of horses characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes