Swollen chest on horse

[horse n' around]

Went to the barn today to check on my horse and hand walk him because his hind end has been a little sore. When I got there his right knee was swollen, chest and stomach right behind where girth would go is swollen and tender. Vet is coming tomorrow, but I am concerned because I have never seen this before. Did a search on google and came across pigeon fever. He looks exactly like the horses in the pictures. Has anyone else ever seen this before?:cry::confused:

[kashmere]

The first thing that came to mind when I saw the title of this thread was Pigeon Fever. However, I've seen the chest become swollen from allergies-- in my case it was too many bug bites happening at once, and while the horse normally isn't overly sensitive to them, the sheer number of them caused him to have quite a reaction. Since it's not exactly black fly or mosquito season right now, perhaps there's still an errant hornet or wasp in your neck of the woods? It could also be due to a foreign object, like a splinter, have you checked thoroughly, paying close attention and looking for even tiny little wounds?

Good luck.

[horse n' around]

Thanks for the reply. Vet came today and addressed his hind end issues. Knee is even bigger than yesterday and chest and stomach look about the same. Never got an answer on why thats all swollen. If it was bug bites, wouldn't he have welts or bumps where they bit him? Calling vet again tomorrow. :no:

[Horseymama]

I have had personal experiences with Pigeon Fever. It comes from a certain special environment for flies, which around here supposedly happens every seven years. It was an epidemic here last year. It comes from flies biting, drawing a little blood, and transferring a bacterial infection. It can cause huge, pussy abscesses that are similar to what you would see with strangles, but it can occur anywhere on the body. It is called Pigeon Fever because it commonly causes the pussy abscesses in the breast area and they look like a pigeon breast. If you catch it early enough, it's just a matter of draining the abscess and keeping it clean (with vet's help/instructions) and keeping fly spray on him so it doesn't happen again. If it is not caught in time, it can cause major internal complications (as the abscess can become internal and interfere with organ function, etc.)

Anyway, ask your vet to be sure, good luck!

[Acertainsmile]

Has the horses temp been taken?

I've only seen PF via pics. However, I did have a horse that had a severe reaction to Horse Fly bites... he was attacked at night. Some of his symptoms were, swollen area on tendon, hematomas on chest, girth area and hind quarters. We treated with Penn, Dex, and Banamine.

I find it strange that your vet wouldnt have anything to say about the swellings. Might be time to get a second opinion.