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We have started seeing cases of Pigeon Fever in Santa Fe and the East Mountains since the first of September.
Pigeon Fever, also known as Dryland Distemper, is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. It is seen worldwide, but in the United States it is seen most commonly in the Southwest. We see it here in New Mexico fairly commonly. It seems to occur more in the East Mountain and Santa Fe areas than in Albuquerque, but can be seen anywhere in New Mexico.
Pigeon Fever causes deep abscesses, most commonly in the pectoral muscles, causing them to swell and protrude, thus the name “Pigeon Fever” in reference to the puffed-out appearance of a pigeon's breast. It is not related to having pigeons on a premises or anything contagious originating from pigeons. The bacteria lives in the soil and outbreaks seem to follow weather conditions that favor the bacteria's growth in the soil. Horses are infected by ingesting the bacteria, or having the bacteria enter through wounds, broken skin, or mucous membranes. It can also be transmitted by flies or other flying insects.
The disease can present in a number of different forms; external abscesses, internal abscesses, or lymphangitis. The abscesses can occur anywhere, but are typically seen in the pectoral muscles or along the bottom of the abdomen. These abscesses may become quite large, sometimes needing to be lanced and drained, and sometimes breaking open on their own. They are usually filled with a large volume of thick white to yellow, fairly odorless pus.
Internal abscesses may escape diagnosis for months, and may cause signs of lameness, fever, lethargy, weight loss, or just plain lack of thriftiness. When lymphangitis occurs, the horse's leg(s) will be extremely swollen, hot, and painful, and sometimes have small pockets of draining pus or serum.
Treatment usually entails lancing, draining, and flushing any abscesses near the surface. Others may need to be hot packed to draw them out. Once the abscess is open and draining, antibiotics are indicated. For deep or internal abscesses or lymphangitis, antibiotics may need to be started immediately. Antibiotics may have to be given long term (sometimes for several months).
Once a stall or paddock, water containers, feed buckets, fencing, and the soil are contaminated, they should all be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a diluted bleach solution to prevent spreading of the disease. It is recommended to try to isolate any horse with open draining abscesses to minimize contamination by either direct contact or through flies.
For more information read Common Disease, Uncommon Presentation - Pigeon Fever
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