Pigeon Fever in Horses: Signs, Abscess Care & Isolation
- Horse Education Online
- 22 hours ago
- 10 min read
Pigeon fever (aka “dryland distemper”) is a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Most horses show firm, painful swellings that mature into abscesses—often over the chest (pectoral area), along the belly midline, or on a limb. Cases rise in warm, dry months and spread via flies and contaminated equipment or hands.
Your first move is safety: isolate the horse, start a vitals log every 30–60 minutes (temperature, heart rate, respirations, gums/CRT), and call your veterinarian before any lancing. Use normal ranges from The Horse’s Vital Signs to spot trends. Red flags that need same-day guidance include fever, dullness or going off feed, limb swelling/cellulitis, or any suspicion of internal abscesses.
TL;DR (What to do first)
Isolate now. Dedicated buckets, halter, and tools; gloves on.
Log vitals q30–60 min. Use ranges here: Vital Signs.
No lancing at home. Wait for vet exam, imaging/culture as needed.
Comfort care. Clean, dry stall; fly control; warm compresses only if your vet okays it.
Escalate fast for fever ≥102.5 °F (39.2 °C), rising HR/RR, limb swelling/lameness, or poor appetite.
Level up: Get the member Pigeon Fever Isolation & Drainage Log → Plans & Pricing.
What pigeon fever looks like
Pigeon fever is an infection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis that most owners first notice as a firm, painful swelling that later softens and drains. The “pigeon-breast” look comes from abscesses over the pectoral muscles, but the midline of the belly and the limbs are also common sites.
The three common presentations
1- External abscesses
These start as heat and tenderness in a single spot, then develop a fluctuant center. Skin may feel tight and the horse can resent pressure or movement. As the abscess matures, the horse often becomes more comfortable after controlled drainage directed by a veterinarian.
2- Ulcerative lymphangitis (limb form)
When lymph vessels in a leg are involved, the limb becomes hot, swollen, and painful, with thick discharge tracking along the skin. Horses may be noticeably lame and uncomfortable standing. This form needs rapid veterinary attention and meticulous hygiene to prevent spread.
3- Internal infection
A smaller subset of cases develop internal abscesses. These horses look “off” without a clear source—low appetite, weight loss, fever that comes and goes, or vague belly discomfort. Bloodwork, ultrasound, and sometimes advanced imaging help confirm what the eye can’t see.
Snapshot table
Pattern | Hallmarks | What you’ll notice first |
External abscess | Warm, tender lump that softens then drains | “New chest bulge,” reluctant to move out, flinch on touch |
Ulcerative lymphangitis | Rapid limb swelling, painful cords, oozing tracks | Sudden stocking-up + lameness, sticky discharge on cannon |
Internal | Fever, weight loss, vague belly/chest pain | “Not himself,” off feed, temp spikes despite rest |
Season and risk
Cases spike in warm, dry months. The bacteria can persist in soil and on barn surfaces, which is why manure management and draining muddy areas matter. Flies move bacteria from horse to horse. Hands, halters, grooming tools, and shared tack can do the same if they aren’t cleaned between horses.
Not to be confused with other problems
Strangles usually targets the lymph nodes under the jaw and behind the throatlatch and is often paired with nasal discharge or cough. Pigeon fever tends to sit lower—chest, belly, or limb—without the classic submandibular bulges. For a quick comparison of strangles signs and isolation steps, see Strangles in Horses: Symptoms, Isolation & Vaccination. “Shipping fever,” by contrast, is a post-haul pneumonia with cough and increased breathing effort rather than discrete chest abscesses.
Why diagnosis matters
Your veterinarian may culture the drainage or use PCR to confirm the organism, then scan with ultrasound to map the abscess pocket or screen for deeper involvement. Getting this right early steers the plan—when to open, how to bandage, whether antibiotics are indicated, and how long isolation should last.
First-hour plan
Frist, move the horse to a clean, fly-managed stall or paddock away from herd contact. Use a dedicated halter, lead, buckets, and grooming tools. Put on gloves before handling any draining areas.
Step 1 — Check and log vitals
Take temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, gum color, and capillary refill time. Recheck every 30–60 minutes for the first few hours, then at least 2–3× daily. Use a simple notebook or your phone.
Normal ranges and “what’s off”: see The Horse’s Vital Signs
Quick HR refresher (palpation + stethoscope tips): Average Heart Rate for a Horse
Early illness clues to note in your log: How to Tell if Your Horse is Sick
Mini table — Normal vs. red-flag vitals
Check | Normal (adult) | Red flag today | Call now? |
Temperature | 99.0–101.5 °F (37.2–38.6 °C) Learn more | ≥102.5 °F (39.2 °C) or trending up | Yes |
Heart rate | 28–44 bpm | >60 bpm at rest or rising | Yes |
Respirations | 8–16/min | >30/min at rest or labored | Yes |
CRT (gum refill) | ≤2 seconds | >3 seconds, pale/dark gums | Yes |
Tip: Note time + number (e.g., “11:30 a.m. Temp 102.7 °F; HR 56”). Trends help your vet decide next steps.
Step 2 — Comfort care while you wait for the vet
Keep the horse clean and dry; bed generously to avoid sternum pressure.
Fly control: fans, masks/sheets, manure removal; avoid sprays near any open drainage (ask your vet). For options, see our Fly Spray Toolkit.
Warm, damp compresses on firm swellings 10–15 minutes, 2–3×/day to encourage maturation only if your vet approves.
Step 3 — Hands off the abscess
Do not squeeze, lance, or apply caustic topicals. Premature opening can force bacteria deeper and seed new tracts. Wait for veterinary assessment.
Example: If a pectoral swelling measures 8 cm across this morning and 10 cm tonight, note it and add a photo. Growth + fever = higher priority call.
Abscess care basics
Your veterinarian will decide if/when to open and drain, and whether imaging (ultrasound) or culture is needed. Follow the plan exactly, especially for bandaging, drainage hygiene, and rechecks.
After drainage: daily routine
Clean & contain
Hot-hose or saline rinse around the site as instructed; protect the opening from crusting shut.
Capture drainage with disposable pads/bandage layers. Double-bag waste; keep tools and surfaces disinfected.
Stall hygiene: pick frequently; reduce flies and dust.
Bandaging (if prescribed)
Keep layers snug but not tight; change as directed.
Mark the outer wrap with the date/time to track intervals.
Pain control & meds
Give NSAIDs and any antibiotics only as prescribed. Note doses/times in your log.
Encourage hydration (clean water in multiple spots) and consistent forage. If appetite dips, note it.
What to record each day
Vitals (temp/HR/RR/CRT).
Lesion notes: size, heat, pain on touch.
Drainage: color, odor, volume estimate (“quarter-sized on pad,” “soaked ½ pad”).
General: appetite, demeanor, limb swelling/lameness.
Tip: Use the same photo angle and a ruler or tape for scale. Visuals make progress obvious.
Simple tracking table (copy/paste for your log)
Date | Time | Temp (°F) | HR (bpm) | RR (/min) | CRT (sec) | Lesion size (cm) | Drainage notes | Pain (0–5) | Meds given |
Members: Download the printable Pigeon Fever Isolation & Drainage Log (pre-filled vitals boxes, drainage checklist, photo prompts) in our downloads area. Start a free trial here → Plans & Pricing
Example (what “better” looks like): Day 3—temp returns to 100.8 °F, drainage turns from thick/tan to thinner/serous, lesion less painful, appetite normal. Keep logging until the site fully granulates and closes and your vet clears you.
Isolation & barn biosecurity
Keep the sick horse separate until your veterinarian clears release. A quiet stall or small paddock works best. Give this horse its own halter, lead, buckets, and grooming kit, and label them clearly.
Stall setup & PPE
Bed deeply so the chest isn’t pressured when lying down. Post a simple “Gloves on before handling” sign at the door. Keep a small caddy at the entrance with gloves, hand sanitizer, and disposable towels.
Daily disinfection routine
Wipe high-touch points (latches, door rails, cross-ties) after each care session. Rinse and scrub buckets daily; store them away from the main aisle. Bag used pads and bandage materials, seal, and toss in a closed bin.
Traffic flow and gear segregation
Handle healthy horses first, then the isolated horse. Park the wheelbarrow and muck tools for the isolated area inside that zone to avoid tracking contamination through the barn.
Fly control that actually helps
Use physical barriers—fly masks/sheets, stall fans, manure removal twice daily. For product planning and rotation ideas, see our Fly Spray Toolkit. Keep sprays away from open drainage; ask your vet where they’re safe to apply.
Waste and laundry
Double-bag any pus-soaked materials. Wash towels on hot and dry on high heat. Don’t share saddle pads or girths until the case is closed.
When is isolation over?
Wait for complete healing/drainage cessation, normal vitals, and veterinary clearance. For broader prevention context at your barn (core vs. risk-based shots, scheduling by age/use), review our Vaccination Center.
Tip: Keep a small whiteboard on the stall with “today’s tasks” (meds, bandage change time, cleaning) so helpers follow the same plan.
Quick isolation checklist
Separate space with posted PPE reminder
Dedicated buckets, tools, and grooming kit
Twice-daily manure removal + fly management
Disinfect touchpoints after each session
Double-bag drainage waste; hot-wash laundry
Release only after vet clearance
Red flags & when to escalate (call or trailer now)
Some cases stay straightforward. Others declare themselves with speed. When in doubt, call your veterinarian—early advice prevents bigger problems.
Fever, pain, and “going off”
A temperature ≥102.5 °F (39.2 °C), rising heart rate, marked depression, or not eating are reasons to escalate the same day. Track numbers in your log and share them during the call. See Fever in Horses: Temperature Chart & Red Flags for what’s urgent versus watchful waiting.
Limb swelling or cellulitis
A hot, swollen leg with thick drainage and lameness suggests ulcerative lymphangitis. This needs rapid treatment and tight biosecurity. Keep the horse quiet, continue isolation, and prepare to trailer if your vet requests imaging or hospital care.
Concern for internal abscesses
Weight loss, on-and-off fever, dullness, or vague belly discomfort raise suspicion for internal disease. Your vet may run bloodwork, ultrasound, or other tests. Escalate sooner rather than later—these cases benefit from early mapping and a longer, structured plan.
Not improving or spreading
If a lesion isn’t shrinking, new swellings appear, drainage smells foul or turns copious, or another horse shows signs, treat it as a barn-level problem and call immediately.
When diarrhea enters the picture
Fever paired with acute diarrhea—especially in late summer through fall—deserves a wider lens. Review differentials and decision points in Potomac Horse Fever: Symptoms & When to Act and compare real timelines in PHF Case Studies.
Simple triage table
Situation | Action in the next 0–6 hours |
Temp ≥102.5 °F, rising HR/RR, dull/off feed | Call vet now; continue isolation; prep for trailer if advised |
Limb hot/swollen with discharge, lameness | Call vet urgently; strict biosecurity; no exercise |
No improvement by Day 3, or new abscesses | Re-exam with your vet; consider culture/ultrasound |
Fever + sudden diarrhea (seasonal risk) | Call vet now; discuss PHF testing and fluids |
Second horse shows compatible signs | Barn-level isolation measures; alert vet for herd plan |
Tip: When hauling, bring your log, a few labeled drainage photos, and a list of meds given. That packet saves time and sharpens decisions.
Conclusion
Most pigeon fever cases are manageable when you act early and stay organized. Isolate first, track vitals like a pro, and let your veterinarian guide if/when to drain—those three habits prevent barn spread and shorten recovery. Keep flies down, keep records neat, and photograph the site from the same angle each day so trends are obvious. If fever climbs, appetite drops, a limb swells painfully, or you suspect internal disease, escalate the same day.
If you only do three things tonight: set up a clean isolation space, start a vitals log, and call your vet with today’s numbers. Then follow through—hygiene, fly control, and consistent notes are what close the loop.
Ready to make this easier? Members can download the Pigeon Fever Isolation & Drainage Log to print or use on the phone—complete with daily vitals boxes, drainage prompts, and photo checklists. Start a free trial here → Plans & Pricing. For wider barn planning, review our Vaccination Center and refresh normal ranges in The Horse’s Vital Signs.
FAQ: Pigeon fever
Is pigeon fever contagious to other horses?
Yes. It spreads mainly by flies and contaminated hands, tack, buckets, and surfaces. Isolate the horse, assign dedicated gear, and disinfect touch points after each care session. Good fly control and manure management reduce barn-wide risk. See our barn setup in the Isolation section and review normal numbers in The Horse’s Vital Signs to monitor herd health.
Do I ever lance or squeeze a pigeon-fever abscess at home?
No. Premature or unsterile opening can drive infection deeper, seed new tracts, and lengthen recovery. Your veterinarian decides if/when to drain and how to bandage afterward. Until then, keep the horse clean, dry, and fly-managed.
Do antibiotics cure pigeon fever faster?
Not automatically. For uncomplicated external abscesses, routine antibiotics can delay maturation and drainage. They’re more often indicated for ulcerative lymphangitis (limb form) or suspected internal abscesses. Your vet will tailor the plan based on exam, ultrasound, and—when needed—culture results.
How long is isolation, and when is my horse no longer contagious?
Plan on isolation until the abscess has fully drained and healed, vitals are normal, and your veterinarian clears release. Expect weeks, not days. Keep dedicated equipment in the isolation area, double-bag soiled dressings, and disinfect door latches, cross-ties, and bucket rims after each session.
What’s a typical recovery timeline?
Straightforward external cases often resolve in 2–6 weeks from first swelling to closed skin. Limb involvement or internal disease can take longer. Track temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and gum refill daily so you and your vet can spot trends early. Numbers and step-by-step checks: The Horse’s Vital Signs and Average Heart Rate for a Horse.
When should I worry about fever or diarrhea with pigeon fever?
A temperature ≥102.5 °F (39.2 °C), dullness, off-feed, rising heart/respiratory rates, or sudden diarrhea are same-day vet calls. Fever plus diarrhea—especially late summer through fall—warrants a differential for Potomac Horse Fever. Review signs in Potomac Horse Fever: Symptoms & When to Act and compare timelines in PHF Case Studies.
Could this be strangles instead?
Strangles typically targets lymph nodes under the jaw/behind the throatlatch and often includes nasal discharge or cough. Pigeon fever more often affects the chest, belly midline, or limbs. Compare presentations in Strangles in Horses: Symptoms, Isolation & Vaccination and keep both horses isolated until your vet advises.
Is there a vaccine for pigeon fever? How do I prevent it?
There is no widely used U.S. vaccine for pigeon fever. Prevention relies on hygiene and vector control: reduce flies, segregate equipment, disinfect high-touch areas, and manage manure and mud. For broader barn planning and seasonal risk reviews, see our Vaccination Center.
When can my horse return to work?
After the site has fully granulated and closed, drainage has stopped, vital signs are normal, and your veterinarian approves. Start with light hand-walking, then gradual ridden work over 1–2 weeks, monitoring for heat, swelling, or pain at the former abscess site.
