Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Pigeon's Disease??

Hi Sandy
It's dryland distemper and so far as I know, there is no vaccination for 
it and it is not lethal--- just messy. It is carried by flies and the 
horse frequently gets a bulging of the chest  (or sometimes a sheath in 
the case of a gelding---- ouch!!-- had it happen to one of ours)
You can give antibiotics, lance the absesses..... BUT the best thing 
we've found is to isolate the infected horse so much as possible (given 
the obvious reality that flies fly and there is not too much one can do 
to prevent the spread of it, other than to pray) and rub Icthanol all 
over the bulging area before and after it pops (to keep flies down) and 
then we apply some pressure once it erupts to help drain the pus (I'll 
tell you, you will NEVER want another eclair again!!!) and keep the area 
around it clean. It goes away fast once it pops--- like a boil--- and I 
have never had scarring or anything serious as an after-effect. It is 
just very gross and a pain in the pitoui.
Good luck--- tis the season now with all the flies!

SandyDSA@xxxxxxx wrote:

> Just what is this - can someone enlighten me? My husband heard something 
> about it on the news and called and told me to vaccinate the horses NOW. 
> Pronto. What is this?
> Sandy


--
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians
Home of 16.2h TLA Halynov
who lives on through his legacy
Hal's Riverdance!
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com


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