Glanders in Horses — Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & Care

Glanders in horses is one of the most serious and highly contagious bacterial infections in the equine world — and one that every horse owner in India needs to understand. Caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei, glanders primarily affects horses, mules, and donkeys, and is classified as a zoonotic disease meaning it can — in rare cases — also infect humans. It is a notifiable disease in India, meaning any suspected case must be reported to veterinary authorities immediately. Here is everything you need to know about glanders — causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

 

 

Causes of glanders in horses

Burkholderia mallei, the bacterium responsible for glanders, is typically transmitted through contact with nasal discharge, saliva, urine, or pus from infected animals. Contaminated feed, water, equipment, or surfaces can also contribute to the spread of the disease.

 

Symptoms of glanders in horses

Glanders can manifest in two forms: acute and chronic.

Acute Glanders

• Fever
• Nasal discharge (often thick and purulent)
• Swelling and nodules in the nasal mucosa
• Ulcers and sores in the respiratory tract
• Respiratory distress
• Coughing
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Depression and lethargy

Chronic Glanders

• Skin lesions and nodules
• Formation of abscesses in internal organs
• Weight loss
• Lameness
• Occular symptoms, including conjunctivitis and discharge

 

It's important to note that some horses may be carriers of the bacterium without showing clinical signs, making detection challenging.

 

Treatment for glanders in horses

Glanders is a serious disease, and there is no specific treatment that guarantees a cure. Euthanasia is often recommended to prevent the spread of the disease. In some cases, affected animals may be treated with antibiotics, but success rates are variable, and the risk of relapse is high.

 

 

Prevention

Preventing the introduction and spread of glanders is crucial. Key preventive measures include:

1. Quarantine: Isolate new animals to prevent the introduction of the bacterium to a healthy population.
2. Testing: Regular testing of horses, especially those in contact with other animals, is essential for early detection.
3. Hygiene: Maintain strict hygiene practices, including regular cleaning and disinfection of stables, equipment, and feeding utensils.
4. Control of vectors: Manage and control insect vectors that can potentially spread the disease.
5. Avoidance of contaminated sources: Ensure that feed, water, and equipment are free from contamination.

 

Due to the zoonotic potential of glanders, strict biosecurity measures should also be in place to protect humans from potential exposure. In many countries, including India, glanders is a notifiable disease, and any suspected cases should be reported to veterinary authorities immediately.

Supporting your horse's overall immunity and liver health is an important part of their general health maintenance. Venttura EQUIliv+ supports liver detoxification and immune function — helping keep your horse in optimal health as part of a comprehensive preventive care routine.

 

Frequently Asked Questions — Glanders in Horses

 

Q1. What is glanders in horses and how is it transmitted?

Glanders is a highly contagious and potentially fatal bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia mallei — a bacterium that primarily affects horses, mules, and donkeys. It is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can in rare cases be transmitted to humans, making strict biosecurity essential for anyone handling infected animals. Transmission occurs primarily through direct contact with an infected animal's nasal discharge, saliva, urine, or pus from open lesions. Indirect transmission through contaminated feed, water, equipment, bedding, or stable surfaces is also common. Horses that appear healthy can carry and shed the bacterium without showing clinical signs — making regular testing critical in any facility where horses come into contact with each other. Glanders is a notifiable disease in India and globally — any suspected case must be reported to veterinary authorities immediately.

 

Q2. What are the symptoms of glanders in horses?

Glanders manifests in two distinct forms — acute and chronic — each with different symptom profiles. Acute glanders develops rapidly and is characterised by high fever, thick purulent nasal discharge, swelling and nodules in the nasal mucosa, ulcers in the respiratory tract, respiratory distress, coughing, enlarged lymph nodes, and severe depression and lethargy. Acute glanders can progress rapidly and is often fatal without intervention. Chronic glanders develops more slowly and is harder to detect — signs include skin lesions and nodules particularly on the legs and face, formation of abscesses in internal organs, unexplained weight loss, lameness, and ocular symptoms including conjunctivitis and discharge. Some horses carry the bacterium without showing any clinical signs at all — these subclinical carriers are among the most significant risks for spreading the disease undetected within a horse population.

 

Q3. Is there a treatment for glanders in horses?

There is currently no specific treatment that guarantees a cure for glanders in horses. Antibiotic treatment has been attempted in some cases — typically using combinations of sulphonamides and other antimicrobials — but success rates are variable, relapse rates are high, and treated horses may continue to shed the bacterium and act as a source of infection for other animals. Because of this, euthanasia of confirmed glanders cases is the standard recommendation in most countries including India — both to prevent suffering and to protect the wider horse population and public health. There is also no commercially available vaccine against glanders. The absence of effective treatment makes early detection through regular testing and strict prevention the only reliable strategy for managing this disease.

 

Q4. Is glanders a notifiable disease in India?

Yes — glanders is a notifiable disease in India under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act. This means that any veterinarian, horse owner, or caretaker who suspects a case of glanders is legally required to report it to the local veterinary authority immediately. The Glanders and Farcy Act of India provides specific legal provisions for the management and control of glanders outbreaks — including powers for authorities to order testing, quarantine, movement restrictions, and euthanasia of confirmed cases. Horses participating in competitions, racing, or interstate movement are required to undergo mandatory Mallein testing — the standard diagnostic test for glanders — before being permitted to travel or compete. Failure to report suspected cases is a serious legal offence in India.

 

Q5. How can I protect my horse from glanders?

Protecting your horse from glanders centres on rigorous biosecurity, regular testing, and careful management of new animals entering your facility. Always quarantine any new horse for a minimum of 21 to 30 days before allowing contact with your existing horses — and ensure they have tested negative for glanders during this period. Never share equipment, feed containers, water buckets, or grooming tools between horses without thorough cleaning and disinfection. Maintain strict stable hygiene with regular disinfection of all surfaces and equipment. Arrange regular Mallein testing for all horses in your facility — particularly those that travel to competitions, racing events, or come into contact with horses from other stables. Report any horse showing suspicious symptoms — nasal discharge, unexplained weight loss, skin nodules, or respiratory distress — to your veterinarian immediately rather than waiting. Supporting your horse's overall immune health with Venttura EQUIliv+ as part of a daily wellness routine helps maintain the strong immune function that supports your horse's natural disease resistance.

 

Conclusion 

Glanders is a disease that demands immediate action — early detection, strict biosecurity, and rapid reporting to veterinary authorities are the most effective tools available. Since there is no guaranteed cure, prevention is everything. Maintain rigorous hygiene, quarantine new animals, test regularly, and work closely with an equine veterinarian who understands the regulatory requirements in India. A healthy, well-nourished horse with strong immunity is your best defence against infectious disease.

 

Also read: Common Horse Health Problems in India — Prevention & Care

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