Pigeon Fever - SW WA

[toeps]

portland.craigslist.org/clk/grd/843225885.html

*****HORSE OWNERS IN CLARK COUNTY BEWARE***** - $1 (every where)

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Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-09-16, 12:37PM PDT

HI all, I am passing on the information that I have recieved this week about a severe outbreak of Pigeon Fever in clark county. It has been found at Rockcreek horse trails and many others. Vets are recieving hourly calls of horses that have pigeon fever. This is a REAL outbreak. I have been advised to not move horses to any public facilities or trails for at least 55 days. The disease can be harbored in the soil for 55 days. It is passed by flies and is transmitable between horses and cattle. This is not usually fatal but is very NASTY! I have a link along with this e-mail to explain more. I will not be allowing any haul-ins for lessons untell further notice. For that safty of all animals. I will travel to your property to give lessons still if you would like. A barrel horse has been proven to have pigeon fever and is belived to have gotten it at rockcreek. The animal has sence been to the Saddle club and the Fair Grounds. So beware horse owners! There is no Vaccine for Pigeon Fever, and very little you can do for treatment.

www.completerider.com/ucolorado/PIGEONFEVERINEQUINES.html

Location: every where

[toeps]

HORSE PEOPLE PLEASE READ (clark county)

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Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-09-16, 12:38PM PDT



I have had several calls from friends/family who own horses in Battle Ground, Hockinson and Brush Prairie alerting me of an outbreak of "pigeon fever" in horses in this area. I personally know of 5 horses who are already symptomatic (pectoral abscesses growing) and many others who have been exposed to this highly contagious disease.

Meg Brinton has said that she is getting calls hourly reporting new cases and asking for info.
This disease is can be serious if abscesses grow internally or are not drained and treated properly. The best way to get info is to type "pigeon fever" into your internet search engine and follow the links. There is plenty of detailed information and some (gross) photos.

Please share this info with other horse owners/care givers that you know so that folks will check their horses thoroughly for bumps, lesions, swelling at least once a day. If you suspect that your horse is infected, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible and avoid contact with other horses (or cows).

Hope this will run it's course soon and go away.