Four horses from the same barn east of Charlottetown have been diagnosed with Strangles, a very contagious bacterial infection of horses.
Strangles causes fever, cough, depression and reduced eating and horses will develop a nasal discharge. Abscesses develop under their jaw and throatlatch, which can make them quite uncomfortable, and the abscesses will rupture and drain.
A horse will develop clinical signs between three to 14 days after exposure to an infected animal but most recover within three to four weeks.
Government officials say the barn owner immediately implemented all control measures to prevent further spread of the disease. Strangles cannot be transmitted to other animals or people.