Articles: Horse News
"Pigeon Fever" in Horses Update
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
"Serving Texas Animal Agriculture Since 1893"
2105 Kramer Lane ~ Austin, Texas 78758
512.719.0710 ~ bonnie.ramirez@tahc.state.tx.us ~ http://www.tahc.state.tx.us
For more information contact the Public Information office at
1-800-550-8242, ext. 710 or at bonnie.ramirez@tahc.state.tx.us
Contrary to what the name might imply, pigeons have nothing to do with
transmission of the equine disease known as "pigeon fever", which is also
called Dryland Distemper. "Pigeon Fever" causes abscesses and swelling in
the horse's pectoral region (breast muscles) causing a "pigeon-like"
appearance, and is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium
pseudotuberculosis. Pigeon fever is most common in dry areas of the Western
United States, but cases diagnosed in other parts of the country may be on
the increase.
Cases of pigeon fever tend to be seen more in summer and fall but can happen
anytime of the year. While the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC)
regulates a number of equine and livestock diseases, the TAHC has no
specific authority to regulate pigeon fever and therefore does not require
vets to report cases. However, the TAHC has noted an upswing in calls and
questions about this disease. The Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
obtained over 350 positive cultures for C. pseudotuberculosis in 2011
compared with less than 100 cases each year from 2005-2010. The Veterinary
Medical Teaching Hospital at Texas A&M diagnosed more than 4 times as many
cases in 2011 compared with 2010. A number of factors could be at play,
including the recent severe drought, as well as fly activity.
Horses affected by pigeon fever can show a variety of signs including fever,
weight loss, swelling of the breast muscles or ventral abdomen (belly), and
other areas of the body. Abscesses caused by the disease are usually
external, and so the swelling is visible. Less commonly, the abscesses form
inside the horse's body where they are more difficult to detect. Treatment
of horses with internal abscesses can be difficult, with major complications
possible. Prompt veterinary care greatly increases treatment success and
reduces complications in any case of pigeon fever.
It is important to realize the bacteria can live for extended periods of
time in dry soil. Research shows that flies carry the disease and are
crucial to transmission, so good fly control is a must. Basic sanitation is
also critical - affected horses should be isolated, and abscess drainage
(pus) should be disposed of properly. The draining material contains large
amounts of the bacteria and contaminates the area around the horse,
potentially spreading the disease. It is also important to promptly treat
any wounds that could become contaminated by flies or dirt.
Because of this infectious disease and many others that can affect your
horse, the TAHC encourages you to call your veterinarian at the first sign
of any illness or injury.
Additionally, if you organize an equine event, pigeon fever is one of many
infectious diseases for which planning is encouraged. The California
Department of Agriculture recently released a helpful Biosecurity Toolkit
for Equine Events. They include tips to prevent the spread of abscess
diseases like pigeon fever and strangles, as well as a wide variety of other
infectious diseases. The toolkit is available online at
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/pdfs/Biosecurity_Toolkit_Part_2.pdf
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) also has information
about pigeon fever available at
http://www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=358
The TAHC thanks Dr. Piper Norton of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for her assistance with this update.
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