Although Strangles is not as deadly as some other diseases, it is one of the toughest horse ailments. Once a horse is infected, it can be so severe, and hard to contain because of its contagious nature. It is an upper respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi that mainly infects young and naϊve horses. It is a blockage of the airway that leads to suffocation. The infection enters through nasal and oral routes and is carried by infected purulent material.

Some classic clinical signs of strangles include:

• Nasal shedding and lymphadenopathy followed by a fever
• Depression
• Anorexia
• Nasal discharge

Accurate diagnosis can be achieved from the use of a bacterial culture of nasal swabs from an abscessed lymph node. If the horse is believed to be infected, it should be isolated immediately to prevent the infection of other animals. The use of penicillin is strongly discouraged as it causes the horse to be even more miserable and restless. It also causes Bastard Strangles, which spreads the infection to the thorax, abdomen, and brain.

The use of Karbo Combo, in field studies, has proven effective in resolving the symptoms associated with Strangles.

Karbo Combo consists of encapsulated enzymes, vitamins, bacteria, and large numbers of mannan, and glucan oligosaccharides. In addition, the formula also contains glycocomponents necessary for tying up and neutralizing various toxins.

The objective of Karbo Combo is to attach and bind to the surface lectins of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and toxins, therefore rendering them incapable of colonization and reproduction. The stimulation and modulation of the complex immune system by this formulation is not clearly understood at this time.