Originally published October 18, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 18, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Ore. horses coming down with pigeon fever
Symptoms of a contagious animal disease called pigeon fever have been found in dozens of horses in Eastern Oregon this fall. Despite the name, the...
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PENDLETON, Ore. — Symptoms of a contagious animal disease called pigeon fever have been found in dozens of horses in Eastern Oregon this fall.
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, 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 four potential cases this year, but he noted that Idaho veterinarians are noticing an uptick.
"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.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
Greenwood merchants nervous after 3 more arsons
UW to honor war heroes with Medal of Honor shrine
Nicole Brodeur: Praise pours on the water man
Soldier from Whatcom County is killed in Afghanistan

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
258 - House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
246 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
171 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
143 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
135 - Obama puts heat on Senate to speed health bill
123 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
119 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
100 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
69 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
69
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect





