Did you have a run with pigeon fever this year?

Pigeon Fever...hmmmm..it's a very common disease in the dryer climates, hence the name also known as dry land  strangles...the bacteria that is responsible for this is found in the ground and has a very long contamination window and life expectancy in the soil....This past year I had been informed of a few boarding stables that were over-run with pigeon fever and just when they thought that they eradicated it...it seemed to come back bigger and more powerful.  It is mainly transmitted via flies that feed on an infected wound and go to another animal and if that animal has an open wound...it is almost a given that this will take hold and make it's way through the herd...the ones with the exceptional immune system can go unaffected.

I had pigeon fever in one of my horses and it did not transmit it to any other horses thankfully...my place is small and a quarantine is not really practical at my establishment ..I just went prepared for the worst and hoped for the best.

It has several different ways to make itself known..the name pigeon fever came from the appearance of a pigeon like chest..this is the accumulation of infection, inflammation and pus in the chest area...it can penetrate the shoulder capsule and actually dislocated the shoulder from the amount of infection and the pressure that is imposes on the joint.  In this case the horse will be lame, not putting any weight on the side that is most effected...this is a very contagious horse and the abscess will either pop on it's own or a vet will have to lance and drain to promote healing.

Swelling of the genital area is a common sign, along with very obvious pitted sores that are painful and hot to the touch...at this point..you may notice a horse off it's feed, a high fever for a few days and you may be thinking the horse is near death...within a few days the horse builds up immunities and overcomes the disease and it has been said that the horse will generally not be affected once is survives the first run-in..I found this to not necessarily be true..I have seen it come back and when it does come back..it take a different look.  For instance..if you have an affected groin..it may come back in the chest..if in the chest ..it may come back in the legs..but I have seen with my own eyes..this fever come back. 

Summer sores should not be mistaken for this that at times can look similar.  Summer sores are from flies as well but initially it is a worming issue and treatment with ivermectin is in order and will usually clear up a summer sore issue.

Now..it has been a controversial treatment protocol...either you are knowledgeable enough and comfortable enough to treat this on your own and comfortable with your decision..the kick is this..no antibiotic is recommended..  The reason for this is that the infection will not be totally treated and the horse will suffer internal abscesses that are fatal in most cases.  The use of antibiotic seems to make the horse better for a minute but it drives the infection inward and before too long..you may have a more serious situation on your hands that is only evident when it may be too late .  Now if you can believe that your horse will recover.. and can stand to see him suffer...a little less with some banamine or bute..let this fever run its course...it is the best course of action in my opinion.  It is hard to watch your horse suffer but it is no more than you having the flu or a bad cold and in about three days..you have improvement and your horse will be on the mend....

Thanks for reading and I look forward to any comment or concern..