Pigeon Fever in Kentucky
An unusual outbreak of the bacterial disease ?pigeon fever,? also known as dryland distemper, has been occurring in Kentucky over the past three weeks, according to Doug Byars, DVM, a specialist in internal medicine and equine critical care. He
- Topics: Article, Pigeon Fever & Dryland Distemper
An unusual outbreak of the bacterial disease “pigeon fever,” also known as dryland distemper, has been occurring in Kentucky over the past three weeks, according to Doug Byars, DVM, a specialist in internal medicine and equine critical care. He said 15 cases have been confirmed with bacterial cultures in the last three weeks by Hagyard-Davidson-McGee veterinary associates in Lexington. He said about 15 more cases have been clinically diagnosed. Byars said there were mini-clusters of two or three horses on some farms.
“Pigeon fever has been reported east of the Mississippi before, but in solitary cases,” said Byars. “We found it in one individual about seven years ago (in Kentucky). I know Florida has reported increasing numbers in recent years. It should be going away when the winter weather sets in.”
Pigeon fever is one of the most commonly diagnosed bacterial problems in California (and several other western states). This disease is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and is seen worldwide. It usually is associated with very deep abscesses and multiple sores along the chest (hence the name pigeon fever, as the chest swells up and resembles a large pigeon breast). Occasionally there will be sores on the midline and abdomen, or even in aberrant places such as the back. Byars said there also can be times when the bacteria causes an ulcerative lymphangitis (which causes the hind legs swell and “bust out” in crusts). Horses also can suffer from internal abscessation.
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