Dryland Distemper

One of the most commonly diagnosed bacterial problems in California (and several other western states) is dryland distemper, otherwise known as pigeon fever. This disease is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and is seen

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One of the most commonly diagnosed bacterial problems in California (and several other western states) is dryland distemper, otherwise known as pigeon fever. 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 and midline. Clinical signs can include lameness, fever, lethargy, and weight loss. Dryland distemper can occur in any age, sex, or breed of horse, but most cases occur in young animals (less than five years of age), according to Sharon Spier, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, of the University of California, Davis. The disease is seasonal, with the majority of cases seen in the late fall, but sporadic cases can “pop up” during other times of the year.


Some years have more cases than other years, but researchers don’t know why. Similar to strangles, outbreaks can occur when herd immunity wanes or naive horses are exposed.


The causative bacteria live in the soil and can enter the horse’s body through wounds or broken skin, and through mucous membranes. It can be transmitted by various flies, including house flies and probably horn flies.


Dryland distemper might take weeks or months for abscesses to develop fully after the horse is infected. This means that horses might be transported to a region where dryland distemper is unknown, develop active abscesses or sores, and because of the scarcity of the disease in that region, not be diagnosed properly, or at all. Abscesses usually form deep in muscles, such as the pectorals. This causes swelling that looks like a puffed-out pigeon breast, thus giving the name pigeon fever to the disease

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Written by:

Kimberly S. Brown is the editor of EquiManagement/EquiManagement.com and the group publisher of the Equine Health Network at Equine Network LLC.

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