[highsider]

Sorry to muddy up our bike site with this crap, but I know we have a good contingent of horse people on here, and frankly they seem more intelligent than other horse people, so I thought I'd try here first.

Ever heard of pigeon fever? Apparently I have a horse with this issue, which presents as a disgusting abcess on various internal organs. This morning, the vet excised about 2 1/2 pounds of what looked like rice pudding from my wife's pony's flank area.

He tells me its not especially curable, and is pretty contagious. Which all leads to a possible death sentence for said pony.

Anybody experience this sucky issue before?

[97BladeRider]

Originally Posted by highsider

Sorry to muddy up our bike site with this crap, but I know we have a good contingent of horse people on here, and frankly they seem more intelligent than other horse people, so I thought I'd try here first.

Ever heard of pigeon fever? Apparently I have a horse with this issue, which presents as a disgusting abcess on various internal organs. This morning, the vet excised about 2 1/2 pounds of what looked like rice pudding from my wife's pony's flank area.

He tells me its not especially curable, and is pretty contagious. Which all leads to a possible death sentence for said pony.

Anybody experience this sucky issue before?

I asked my wife, who's pretty up on all that stuff and she said almost exactly what you did. She's pretty sure the mortality rate is high with Pigeon Fever.

EDIT:

I stand corrected, the mortality rate is quite low, around 10%.

Read more:
The Horse: Pigeon Fever: Abscesses Within and Without

[Cowboyrider]

I found this ..

(Cornebacterium Pseudotuberculosis)

Pigeon Fever is the layman term for this disease. It gets it's name because the deep abscesses that form on the horses chest give the horse a pigeon breast appearance. The organism that causes the disease is a bacteria that is passed to the horse via a fly bite. The exact mechanism of the disease is not known however it is suspected that the disease cutaneous habronemiasis which is caused by a fly larvae that migrates in the tissues of the horse may be associated with Pigeon fever. I myself do not put horses with Pigeon fever on antibiotics unless the horse is acting sick. Usually the normal defense mechanism of the horse pushes the abscess outward for external rupture. Once the abscess is lanced then I will place the horse on antibiotics just as I would for any type of external wound. Do not take Pigeon fever lightly. Although the majority of horses make a full recovery some of these abscesses can internalize and kill a horse. It is always a good idea to have your vet take a look at the horse to make sure which course of action is appropriate.

was looking at some pics.

Hope the pony makes it!

[patricia929]

I've never heard of this but it sounds pretty scary. I hope you wife's pony gets better soon and that none of your other horses are affected.

[elissama101]

Usually the best thing to do with any abcess caused by bacterial infection in a horse is to let the abcess(es) rupture then start a course of antibiotics. Keep the animal on stall rest with monitored exercise (don't want to contaminate paddocks / other horse areas with bacteria.

Adding electrolytes to the feed or water can also be helpful to increase the animals water consumption. Just like people they say when sick to increase fluids - helps get things moving.

You probably want to start with a course of IM (intramuscular) antibiotics then switch to orally dosing after 10-14 days. (your vet will make the correct calls here)

Unfortunately, if you have an internal rupture it will probably make more sense to euthanize that to operate - operations on horses are very expensive and frequently the horse doesn't come out the same way it went into it. (Problem with such a large animal)

Good luck!

EDIT: if you do end up on antibiotics moniter the pony very carefully. They can become easily 'backed up' from the drugs and this can lead to lack of drinking, colic, death. It is a good idea to put horses on antibiotics on a hot mash (with mineral oil) at least every other day.