Pigeon Fever breaks out in Sisters

If you're a horse owner in the Sisters area, a recent outbreak of the contagious bacterium commonly called Pigeon Fever (Corynebacteriun Pseudotuberculosis) will have you increasing your fly-control vigilance.

This nasty condition, so called because of the swelling most commonly present over the pectorals and belly, has nothing to do with pigeons - or birds of any sort. The swelling, which leads to pus-draining abscesses, makes some horses have a pigeon-breast appearance.

The swelling is alarming to look at and is something most horse owners will notice immediately.

The disease is contracted through fly bites or open wounds, via flies that have been in contact with the bacterium. It lives in dry soil or manure and most cases appears in the late summer/early fall.

Dr. Jessica Evans, of Bend Equine Medical Center said in a recent article that recovery can be lengthy. Most horses do recover completely, though treatment is messy and owners must be diligent in their hygiene to minimize the spread of the bacterium. She also states that diagnosis is often achieved through clinical signs, though she recommends blood work to ensure healthy internal organ function.

Sandy Marlow of Sisters is currently treating her Paint gelding, Hanson. About two weeks ago, she noticed a large swelling in his sheath area, and immediately thought he'd either been stung or his sheath needed cleaning. Closer inspection showed a clean sheath, but a very painful area on one side. Her neighbor suspected Pigeon Fever, and when Marlow took her horse to her vet, that was diagnosed.

Her vet, Dr. Tim Phillips, said he's seen several recent cases in geldings where the swelling is localized in the sheath area. He gave Marlow a poultice to apply, and about a week later the abscess began to drain. Through it all, Marlow said Hanson had a normal appetite and displayed no discomfort other than pain while the abscess was forming.

Marlow said it's an unlucky situation, one that can be prevented to a certain extent with generous applications of fly spray. "Be diligent," she said. "But you can't stop flies from being around horses."

Application of a product called Swat on the center line of the belly is also a good preventive measure, according to Dr. Phillips. The product is a fly-repellent wound dressing.

One good thing about the freezing mornings is that the flies are thinning out a bit. A few more weeks should see the end of fly season, but in the meantime, don't stop the fly spray just yet.