Companion Animals

Pigeon Fever in Horses: Welfare and Surgical Management

Managing Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection to relieve pain and prevent complications.

Key Facts

Pigeon fever is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis — prevalent in western USA
Named for the chest swelling resembling a pigeon breast in affected horses
External abscesses are painful but manageable — internal abscesses are life-threatening
Spread by flies and contaminated soil — more common in late summer and autumn

Welfare Considerations

Pigeon fever causes welfare compromise through painful abscess formation that may develop on the chest, ventral midline, or inguinal regions. Welfare management involves surgical drainage of mature abscesses under anaesthesia, appropriate antibiotic therapy (avoiding penicillin which can worsen the condition), and fly control to reduce transmission. Internal abscesses require intensive medical management and carry a more guarded welfare prognosis.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment for any horse with swelling suggesting abscess formation
Do not use penicillin for pigeon fever — it is associated with worse outcomes in this disease
Implement fly control measures to reduce transmission between horses in affected areas