TTB asked me about this..We have one horse I suspect had it. A lady I supply cattle to for cutting training had one.....I never thought it "Post worthy" until TTb asked me about our area...I am copying what she sent me as it explains it.
The mare I suspect had it is doing well.....None of the other horses appear to have it,
It is relatively new to our area,
PPRM
PIGEON FEVER, EQUINE - USA (OREGON)
*************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: 18 Oct 2007
Source: Oregon Live [edited]
<http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-21/119269254119530.xml&storylist=
orlocal>
Signs of a contagious animal disease called pigeon fever have been
found in dozens of horses in Eastern Oregon this fall [2007].
Despite the name, the disease is not spread by the bird. Rather, the
bacterial infection can cause abscesses that lead a horse's chest to
swell like a pigeon's.
Dr. Fred Robinson of Riverside Veterinary Clinic in Pendleton said he
has seen an increasing number of cases this fall [2007], just as he
did in 2005.
"There were 80 or so horses treated then, and at this point, with the
season not over, we're approaching 50 horses."
Dr. Jason Down of the Hermiston Veterinary Clinic said he's only seen
4 potential cases this year [2007], but he noted that Idaho
veterinarians are noticing an up tick.
"This is the time of year that you see it, early fall, late fall," he
said. "It's endemic in California. It's really common to that area."
Though pigeon fever gets it name from the swelling in the chest, the
disease can cause swelling anywhere on the horse's body. The animal
feels pain when touched on a swollen area, so owners and caretakers
must look for the swelling, because horses don't give any other clues.
"They don't usually go off their feed, and the horse's attitude
doesn't change," Robinson said.
Down said a veterinarian can confirm the infection only with a
bacterial culture. The infection is contagious among horses, so
owners should isolate infected animals. Down said it's important to
drain the abscess so it doesn't infect other horses then clean up
well.
"People don't get it, but they can carry it among horses on their
clothing, boots, tools," he said.
The bacteria live in the soil and enter the animals' skin through
routine abrasions. The incubation period can run from a few days to
several weeks, and it's generally not fatal.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <[email protected]>
[Pigeon fever, pigeon breast, breastbone fever, dryland distemper,
dryland strangles, false strangles, false distemper are the names
that this disease -- caused by the bacterium _Corynebacterium
pseudotuberculosis_ -- are most frequently known by. Geographically,
it was at one time considered to be a disease of California, where it
is regarded as endemic. However, it is much more widespread now,
especially in the western states of the US, but it has a worldwide
distribution. It is a seasonal disease, usually appearing in late
fall but can appear sporadically at any time of year.
The signs of pigeon fever can also initially resemble those of other
diseases such as strangles. Sometimes the only initial signs are
lameness and a reluctance to move. It can strike a horse of any age,
sex or breed, but usually attacks young adult animals. There is a low
incidence in foals.
It has also been diagnosed in cattle, and a similar disease affects
sheep and goats. The disease is not transmissible to humans, although
humans can carry the infectious agent on shoes, clothing, hands or
barn tools and transfer it to another animal.
Clinical signs include lameness, fever, lethargy and weight loss and
usually is accompanied by very deep abscesses and multiple sores
along the chest, midline and groin area and, sometimes, the back.
Abscesses also can develop internally.
The disease is called pigeon fever because infected animals often
develop abscesses in their pectoral muscles, which swell and resemble
a pigeon's chest. Although the disease is considered seasonal, with
most cases occurring in early fall, a number of cases have been
confirmed during winter months and other times of the year as well.
The causative bacteria live in the soil and can enter the animal's
body through wounds, broken skin or through mucous membranes.
Additionally, some researchers believe pigeon fever may be
transmitted by flies.
Of the types of disease (external abscesses, internal abscesses or
limb infection [ulcerative lymphangitis]), the ulcerative
lymphangitis is the most common form worldwide and rarely involves
more than one leg at a time. Usually, multiple small, draining sores
develop above the fetlock.
The most common form of the disease in the United States is external
abscessation, which often forms deep in the muscles and can be very
large. Usually, it appears in the pectoral region, the ventral
abdomen and the groin area. After spontaneous rupture, or lancing,
the wound will exude liquid, light tan-colored, malodorous pus.
Internal abscesses can occur and are very difficult to treat. The
most common forms are external abscess and lymphangitis, with the
prognosis of a full recovery being generally good. Internal abscesses
are much more difficult to treat.
The contagious nature of the disease means an accurate diagnosis is
imperative, and treatment should be initiated as well as control of
insects and the rigid practice of biosecurity.
Horse owners should be aware of the clinical signs and understand
veterinary care must be timely. Infected horses should be isolated,
the abscesses properly treated and the drainage properly disposed of.
The area where the infected horse is kept must be properly cleaned
and completely disinfected, because this is a very hardy bacterium.
Bacteria in the pus draining from abscesses on infected horses can
survive from one to 55 days in the environment. They have also been
shown to survive from one to 8 days on surface contaminants and from
7 to 55 days within feces, hay, straw or wood shavings. Lower
temperatures prolong the survival time.
Pest control is extremely important. The bacteria may be transported
between animals by flies. Flies are also being investigated in the
role of instigator of this disease.
Horses may become infected but not develop abscesses for weeks. The
disease usually manifests in younger horses but can occur in any age,
sex, and breed.
A different biotype of the organism is responsible for a chronic
contagious disease of sheep and goats, _Caseous lymphadenitis_, or
CL. Either biotype can occur in cattle.
Treatment in horses often consists of hot packs or poultices applied
to abscesses to encourage opening. Open abscesses should be drained
and regularly flushed with saline. Surgical or deep lancing may be
required, depending on the depth of the abscess or the thickness of
the capsule, and should be done by your veterinarian. Ultrasound can
aid in locating deep abscesses so that drainage can be accomplished.
External abscesses can be cleaned with a 0.1 percent povidone-iodine
solution. Antiseptic-soaked gauze may be packed into the open wound.
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as phenylbutazone, can be
used to control swelling and pain.
Antibiotics are controversial. Their use in these cases has sometimes
been associated with chronic abscessation and, if inadequately used,
may contribute to abscesses, according to one study. The most
commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of this condition is
procaine penicillin G, administered intramuscularly, or
trimethoprim-sulfa. In the case of internal abscesses, prolonged
penicillin therapy is necessary.
Buckets or other containers should be used to collect pus from
draining abscesses, and this infectious material should be disposed
of properly. Consistent and careful disposal of infected bedding,
hay, straw or other material used in the stall is vitally important.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect stalls, paddocks, all utensils and
tack. Pest control for insects is also very important.
With treatment, animals usually recover between 2 weeks to 77 days.
Although some animals may have recurrences, generally recovery is
complete, and the prognosis is good.
Portions of this comment have been extracted from:
<http://www.completerider.com/ucolorado/PIGEONFEVERINEQUINES.html>.
For a map of Oregon, please see
<http://healthmap.org/promed?v=40,-97.6,4>.
- Mod.TG]
...............................................tg/msp/lm
*##########################################################*
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information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
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The mare I suspect had it is doing well.....None of the other horses appear to have it,
It is relatively new to our area,
PPRM
PIGEON FEVER, EQUINE - USA (OREGON)
*************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: 18 Oct 2007
Source: Oregon Live [edited]
<http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-21/119269254119530.xml&storylist=
orlocal>
Signs of a contagious animal disease called pigeon fever have been
found in dozens of horses in Eastern Oregon this fall [2007].
Despite the name, the disease is not spread by the bird. Rather, the
bacterial infection can cause abscesses that lead a horse's chest to
swell like a pigeon's.
Dr. Fred Robinson of Riverside Veterinary Clinic in Pendleton said he
has seen an increasing number of cases this fall [2007], just as he
did in 2005.
"There were 80 or so horses treated then, and at this point, with the
season not over, we're approaching 50 horses."
Dr. Jason Down of the Hermiston Veterinary Clinic said he's only seen
4 potential cases this year [2007], but he noted that Idaho
veterinarians are noticing an up tick.
"This is the time of year that you see it, early fall, late fall," he
said. "It's endemic in California. It's really common to that area."
Though pigeon fever gets it name from the swelling in the chest, the
disease can cause swelling anywhere on the horse's body. The animal
feels pain when touched on a swollen area, so owners and caretakers
must look for the swelling, because horses don't give any other clues.
"They don't usually go off their feed, and the horse's attitude
doesn't change," Robinson said.
Down said a veterinarian can confirm the infection only with a
bacterial culture. The infection is contagious among horses, so
owners should isolate infected animals. Down said it's important to
drain the abscess so it doesn't infect other horses then clean up
well.
"People don't get it, but they can carry it among horses on their
clothing, boots, tools," he said.
The bacteria live in the soil and enter the animals' skin through
routine abrasions. The incubation period can run from a few days to
several weeks, and it's generally not fatal.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <[email protected]>
[Pigeon fever, pigeon breast, breastbone fever, dryland distemper,
dryland strangles, false strangles, false distemper are the names
that this disease -- caused by the bacterium _Corynebacterium
pseudotuberculosis_ -- are most frequently known by. Geographically,
it was at one time considered to be a disease of California, where it
is regarded as endemic. However, it is much more widespread now,
especially in the western states of the US, but it has a worldwide
distribution. It is a seasonal disease, usually appearing in late
fall but can appear sporadically at any time of year.
The signs of pigeon fever can also initially resemble those of other
diseases such as strangles. Sometimes the only initial signs are
lameness and a reluctance to move. It can strike a horse of any age,
sex or breed, but usually attacks young adult animals. There is a low
incidence in foals.
It has also been diagnosed in cattle, and a similar disease affects
sheep and goats. The disease is not transmissible to humans, although
humans can carry the infectious agent on shoes, clothing, hands or
barn tools and transfer it to another animal.
Clinical signs include lameness, fever, lethargy and weight loss and
usually is accompanied by very deep abscesses and multiple sores
along the chest, midline and groin area and, sometimes, the back.
Abscesses also can develop internally.
The disease is called pigeon fever because infected animals often
develop abscesses in their pectoral muscles, which swell and resemble
a pigeon's chest. Although the disease is considered seasonal, with
most cases occurring in early fall, a number of cases have been
confirmed during winter months and other times of the year as well.
The causative bacteria live in the soil and can enter the animal's
body through wounds, broken skin or through mucous membranes.
Additionally, some researchers believe pigeon fever may be
transmitted by flies.
Of the types of disease (external abscesses, internal abscesses or
limb infection [ulcerative lymphangitis]), the ulcerative
lymphangitis is the most common form worldwide and rarely involves
more than one leg at a time. Usually, multiple small, draining sores
develop above the fetlock.
The most common form of the disease in the United States is external
abscessation, which often forms deep in the muscles and can be very
large. Usually, it appears in the pectoral region, the ventral
abdomen and the groin area. After spontaneous rupture, or lancing,
the wound will exude liquid, light tan-colored, malodorous pus.
Internal abscesses can occur and are very difficult to treat. The
most common forms are external abscess and lymphangitis, with the
prognosis of a full recovery being generally good. Internal abscesses
are much more difficult to treat.
The contagious nature of the disease means an accurate diagnosis is
imperative, and treatment should be initiated as well as control of
insects and the rigid practice of biosecurity.
Horse owners should be aware of the clinical signs and understand
veterinary care must be timely. Infected horses should be isolated,
the abscesses properly treated and the drainage properly disposed of.
The area where the infected horse is kept must be properly cleaned
and completely disinfected, because this is a very hardy bacterium.
Bacteria in the pus draining from abscesses on infected horses can
survive from one to 55 days in the environment. They have also been
shown to survive from one to 8 days on surface contaminants and from
7 to 55 days within feces, hay, straw or wood shavings. Lower
temperatures prolong the survival time.
Pest control is extremely important. The bacteria may be transported
between animals by flies. Flies are also being investigated in the
role of instigator of this disease.
Horses may become infected but not develop abscesses for weeks. The
disease usually manifests in younger horses but can occur in any age,
sex, and breed.
A different biotype of the organism is responsible for a chronic
contagious disease of sheep and goats, _Caseous lymphadenitis_, or
CL. Either biotype can occur in cattle.
Treatment in horses often consists of hot packs or poultices applied
to abscesses to encourage opening. Open abscesses should be drained
and regularly flushed with saline. Surgical or deep lancing may be
required, depending on the depth of the abscess or the thickness of
the capsule, and should be done by your veterinarian. Ultrasound can
aid in locating deep abscesses so that drainage can be accomplished.
External abscesses can be cleaned with a 0.1 percent povidone-iodine
solution. Antiseptic-soaked gauze may be packed into the open wound.
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as phenylbutazone, can be
used to control swelling and pain.
Antibiotics are controversial. Their use in these cases has sometimes
been associated with chronic abscessation and, if inadequately used,
may contribute to abscesses, according to one study. The most
commonly used antibiotic for the treatment of this condition is
procaine penicillin G, administered intramuscularly, or
trimethoprim-sulfa. In the case of internal abscesses, prolonged
penicillin therapy is necessary.
Buckets or other containers should be used to collect pus from
draining abscesses, and this infectious material should be disposed
of properly. Consistent and careful disposal of infected bedding,
hay, straw or other material used in the stall is vitally important.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect stalls, paddocks, all utensils and
tack. Pest control for insects is also very important.
With treatment, animals usually recover between 2 weeks to 77 days.
Although some animals may have recurrences, generally recovery is
complete, and the prognosis is good.
Portions of this comment have been extracted from:
<http://www.completerider.com/ucolorado/PIGEONFEVERINEQUINES.html>.
For a map of Oregon, please see
<http://healthmap.org/promed?v=40,-97.6,4>.
- Mod.TG]
...............................................tg/msp/lm
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
Become a ProMED-mail Premium Subscriber at
<http://www.isid.org/ProMEDMail_Premium.shtml>
************************************************************
Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>.
Send all items for posting to: [email protected]
(NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your
full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send
commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help,
etc. to: [email protected]. For assistance from a
human being send mail to: [email protected].
############################################################
############################################################