Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Pigeon Fever
Synonyms: Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis Infection, Colorado or False Strangles, Dryland Dystemper, Pigeon Breast
Summary
Pigeon Fever is a bacterial disease caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Historically, it was believed to be common only in in dry, dusty climates such as the West and Southwest, however it has spread to many regions of North America, including Canada and Mexico.
The reservoir for infection is soil, and the disease is transmitted by flies. Stable flies, house flies and horn flies have been found to carry the bacteria. The bacteria is introduced into the skin, via open wounds or abrasions. Inflammatory cells carry the bacteria deeper into the tissues and to local lymph nodes. The organism is resistant to the body’s defenses because it lives within the inflammatory cells.
Infection causes an abscess surrounded by a severe inflammatory response, resulting in massive swelling in the area of infection.
A small percentage of horses develop internal abscesses (less than 10%), which may manifest as mild to moderate weight loss, fever or other signs depending on which organ is involved. There may be no external signs of swelling and additional laboratory testing is required to diagnose.
Another type of infection with this organism is called Ulcerative lymphangitis, and appears as chains of draining sores on the legs of affected horses.
Abscesses may take weeks to months to develop. The disease can be seen year-round, but more cases are seen in summer, fall and early winter. Abscesses usually develop on the chest, lower abdomen or sheath, but they can occur anywhere on the body. When these abscesses rupture or are surgically opened (lanced) they leak tan, creamy or pus (with no odor) that should be properly collected and discarded, to avoid further contaminating the environment.
A veterinarian should examine affected horses with fever, lameness, depression or decreased appetite, because further tests for internal infection are warranted.
Diagnosis is usually fairly straightforward for abscesses that are near the skin surface. Very deep abscesses may be difficult to find, and require the use of ultrasound. I have had many cases that were chronically very lame. I found the cause to be a very deep abscess in the armpit, triceps, groin or deep muscle of the chest or thigh.
Whether or not the pus is cultured is up to you and your vet. It is a good idea to culture to confirm this disease and monitor for anti-microbial resistance in more complicated cases.
The reservoir for infection is soil, and the disease is transmitted by flies. Stable flies, house flies and horn flies have been found to carry the bacteria. The bacteria is introduced into the skin, via open wounds or abrasions. Inflammatory cells carry the bacteria deeper into the tissues and to local lymph nodes. The organism is resistant to the body’s defenses because it lives within the inflammatory cells.
Infection causes an abscess surrounded by a severe inflammatory response, resulting in massive swelling in the area of infection.
A small percentage of horses develop internal abscesses (less than 10%), which may manifest as mild to moderate weight loss, fever or other signs depending on which organ is involved. There may be no external signs of swelling and additional laboratory testing is required to diagnose.
Another type of infection with this organism is called Ulcerative lymphangitis, and appears as chains of draining sores on the legs of affected horses.
Abscesses may take weeks to months to develop. The disease can be seen year-round, but more cases are seen in summer, fall and early winter. Abscesses usually develop on the chest, lower abdomen or sheath, but they can occur anywhere on the body. When these abscesses rupture or are surgically opened (lanced) they leak tan, creamy or pus (with no odor) that should be properly collected and discarded, to avoid further contaminating the environment.
A veterinarian should examine affected horses with fever, lameness, depression or decreased appetite, because further tests for internal infection are warranted.
Diagnosis is usually fairly straightforward for abscesses that are near the skin surface. Very deep abscesses may be difficult to find, and require the use of ultrasound. I have had many cases that were chronically very lame. I found the cause to be a very deep abscess in the armpit, triceps, groin or deep muscle of the chest or thigh.
Whether or not the pus is cultured is up to you and your vet. It is a good idea to culture to confirm this disease and monitor for anti-microbial resistance in more complicated cases.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
Generally, the prognosis is good. Abscesses usually slowly come to a head and drain. Once an abscess is opened and drained, the horse feels better quickly. Abscess drainage by a vet can often shorten this process. Occasionally, complications do develop. Even rarer are abscesses within the abdominal and other body cavities.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
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Difficulty Advancing Front Limb or Leg
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Swelling on Chest
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Drainage from Anywhere on Body
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Swelling Under Belly or Lower Abdomen
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Drainage from Chest
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Swelling around Shoulder & Elbow
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Swelling of Upper Front Limb or Leg
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Drainage from Site on Upper Limb or Leg
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Wound to Sheath or Penis
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Depressed, Dull, Sick or Lethargic
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Not Eating, Loss of Appetite, Not Hungry
Less Common
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Swelling of Udder or Teats
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Lameness, Generally
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Soft, Jiggly Swelling Between Front Legs
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Swelling, Anywhere on Body, Generally
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Fever, Rectal Temperature Greater than 101.5 (in Adult)
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Swelling of Upper Hind Limb or Leg
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Lameness, Chronic Front Limb
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Lameness, Recent Hind Limb
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Eating Slowly, Taking Long Time to Finish a Meal
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Groin Swelling in Mare or Gelding
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Lameness, Recent Front Limb
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Crusts, Scabs or Hair Loss on Chest
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Lameness, Chronic Hind Limb
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Lameness, Severe, Cannot Support Weight on Limb
Rare
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What can I do to reduce the incidence of the problem in my horses?
- How does fly control affect the incidence of disease?
Prevention
There is no vaccine available as of the time of this writing. Good facilities management to decrease the population of flies is very important, including diligent manure removal and composting, the use of fans, screens, fly repellant and fly masks and sheets. Keep horses in protected stalls during times of high fly activity.
Monitor your horse for wounds, and keep them clean and covered. Collection and proper disposal of pus from opened abscesses is recommended. Remove the top layer of dirt from an area contaminated with pus, and dispose of it in bags. If you do have an infected horse, fly control becomes vital on the premises to prevent spread.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
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Related References:
Kilcoyne I, Spier S, Carter CN, et al. Frequency of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses across the United States during a 10-year period. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014;245(3): 309-14.