Dunny and Pigeon Fever

Dr Darling and Kelly were here today and it's almost positive Dunny has pigeon fever. A blood sample will be sent to the lab to make sure, but we will treat it as pigeon fever.

The following information was taken from the Colorado State University Veterinary Report and Dr Darling.

Pigeon fever was once considered a California problem, but it is a world wide issue. It is known by any names-pigeon breast, breastbone fever, false strangles, dryland strangles, or dryland distemper.

It is caused by cornybacteruim psuedotuberculosis.

It can infect any horse of any sex, breed or age, though usually young adults are most vulnerable. Dunny is 4 years old.

The bacteria is not transmissible to humans, but people can carry it on their shoes, clothing, hands, or tools to other horses. It is not as contagious as strangles.

It lives in the soil and weather is thought to be the reason it becomes active. Our warm muggy days have been perfect for its growth. The bacteria enters through wounds or mucus membranes.

The disease has three forms: external abscesses, internal abscesses or limb infections called ulcerative lymphangitis which usually affects one leg at a time. This is what Dunny has. It is a form of lymphodema.

Sores can develop along the chest, the midline, the groin or the back. There are usually deep external abscesses.

Hot packs or poultices are used to encourage the opening of abscesses . The draining fluids are then disposed of to prevent others from being infected. Bute is used to keep the horse comfortable. Antibiotics are usually not recommended. There is no vaccine.


Clinical symptoms include lameness, lethargy, fever (Dunny had all three), weight loss, deep abscesses, and multiple sores- sometimes internal. You can see the poultice on Dunny's leg. He has no open sores yet. The poultice will help open the sores.

Pigeon fever is not caused by pigeons, but rather because abscesses are often formed in the pectoral muscles which swell and resemble pigeons' chests.

Recovery time is 2 weeks to 77 days.

The prognosis for Dunny is good. There may be scars where the abscesses were. Some horses experience a recurrence.
Others in the herd may get this as the bacteria live in all of Northern California soils. We will have to watch the herd carefully.

Dr Darling will be back to lance the abscesses if they do not open on their own.

Our volunteers can come (as long as we have no more strangles outbreak) because they will not be working with Dunny. He is in the upper barn area, isolated. He can see other horses and talks to his herd, Star and Dancing Drum, but he is not near anyone. Frankie and Moon Dancer are not happy about having to give up their stall.
The sunset was beautiful tonight.

We are ready to take on pigeon fever. Look out Corynebacterium psuedotuberculosis. Home At Last will defeat you.

Congratulations to Tawnee and Jason for their Post certificate.

Busy Monday

What better way to start the day than with an adorable Jonathan who sings so nicely for his meals? He leads the multicultural multi ethnic multi species chorus with a true director's hand- oops-hoof. When he hears us in the house there is usually a 30 minute delay and then the voices unite in the Feed Me song. Tiger Lily sometimes chooses to dine alone. Sometimes she eats with Quincy and sometimes she is so busy chasing every one away, she doesn't eat all all. Today she chose to eat by the side fence after chasing Brandie, Jenny, Jessie and Dobbin off.

Sweetie Pie and Tucker wait behind the barn, hoping for a little grain.

Juan and Mollie share two stalls and a turnout. Juan isn't turned out with the big herd because he still needs hoof work. Molly is in because she is so shy she gets run off her food. She does pack a mean kick, though, if someone makes her mad.

Charles has put on a lot of weight. He still is too thin for our taste, but we'll continue to grain him. He and Belle get all the hay they want. Isn't he shiny and such a beautiful color?

Breeze Bay, Jesse and Cash love being together. For old folks they can really rumpus. Breeze gallops at every meal and Cash has started joining her. Then Jesse gets involved and the dust is thick.

Fall and the cooler weather will be here soon and the zinnias will be just a memory. They are such great summer flowers. I love 'em.

Princess and Fiesty often watch the world go by while the rest of us hurry and scurry all over. Today was one of those go every where days. First to the Yankee Hill Post Office-Hardware Store then to Oroville and the bank and TSC. Then Chico and Dr D (to pay off some of the bill), lunch, and the 99 cent store. To Paradise to Jeannie's Consignment where Carol always has saved some goodies for us, then me to the Butte County Fire Safe Council office where I worked an hour or so and Jim went to a school board meeting. Back to Yankee Hill where we fed, then met Brian for dinner in Oroville.
Fiesty and Princess just watched.

Thank you Lin C and Carol for your donations.

Tomorrow Dr D will come to check on Dunny. His swelling has continued and we can't seem to help him. Callie will be checked, too.
No outbreaks today. Get ready volunteers. The day is coming .

Many Celebrations One Big Concern

Yesterday was magical. Of course, I forgot my camera, but it was dark anyway so I went back for some daylight pictures today.
Dear friends and Board members Su and Jerry Schlecht hosted a very successful fundraising event at their ranch. About 50 people attended and Dr Darling will be so happy with the generous donations.
Folks had popcorn, lemonade cookies and.......

First you must meet Fiddler's Solo

and his son Fiddler's Echo. They helped with the event.

No boys, no popcorn for you. You'll need to feel your best for later on.

I know. It looks really good. Sorry.

Lloyd Cooper and Tumbleweed productions had built a western town for the performance.

All the money raised was donated to Home At Last to help with our large vet bill. Lloyd, his horses and ponies, plus Solo and Echo put on a touching performance.

The town served as a backdrop for the performance.

The weather cooperated and the wind didn't blow- which is unusual for Wind Ridge.

The animals performed beautifully and seemed to really enjoy stealing the show. Thank you Lloyd for your generosity.

This morning Su and Lloyd finished the clean-up .

We were touched and so very grateful to the kindness and generosity of those presenting the program and those attending. Thank you every one. You really made it a special time.

When we got home we celebrated many more things- like having full water tanks at the end of a long dry summer.

And Callie's dry nose

We are glad that Lexi and Gracie did not get sick since they were in the barn the whole time

Although she is thin we are celebrating Tessie's recovery

and Amira's good health.

It makes us happy that Belle is still moving around.

We celebrate that none of Rico's herd have been sick.

Frankie's recovery and Moon Dancer's great appetite make us smile.

We are so grateful to Su, Jerry, Lloyd and Tumbleweed Productions, to CC Curtis and the stunning video made dedicated to us, and to the caring generous donors who gave to Home At Last.


Our big concern is Dunny's cellulitis. His leg is swollen and sore. He is making a little progress, but his condition is still "iffy."

We have had no new outbreaks. It could very well be we will be open again next Sunday. D Darling will check Dunny to make sure his condition is not contagious.. We'll let you know.

Camelot Equestrian Park in Butte Valley is a supporter of Home At Last. Sat. Oct 16 is their annual Ride and Dine. It is a great event . Don't miss it. Check out their website Camelot Equstrian Park. com Connie and Mike Ballou will make sure you have a wonderful time. Call them with your reservation.

Clearly Candid Photography does beautiful things. Contact CC at ClearlyCandid@gmail.com.

Special thanks to Sally and Fred Hugg, Bill and Nancy Lui, and Michelle at Summit Property Management.

Marti is a special friend who gives generously to Home At Last. Thank you , Marti, for all you do.

We are going to start the week more optimisitically that we have for quite a while.

Hopeful Saturday

Not only do the horses have strangles but Sal the computer (couldn't name it HAL could we) and Cameranna the camera seems to be infected with a choking disease, too. Every once in a while every thing shuts down. Nothing moves. No messages in nor out. Will try to finish this before the next episode hits.
The cats got a new friend, Mr Mouse. Mr Mouse is supposed to be for scratching but mostly he is for sniffing. Every once on a while he gets jumped on. Mr Mouse is good, but the box is better.

Another day with out a new outbreak. However, Dunny has a swollen leg from his shoulder to the foot. It could be a reaction to his vaccines, an injury or Pigeon fever. He is getting 4 shots a day. We'll have to wait and see. The vets at Davis say there is an outbreak of Pigeon fever in the Valley. We don't need that.

Last night the clouds were beautiful. The rain is predicted to come in on Sunday.

Should have some great pictures tomorrow. Having a special fundraising event tonight at Su and Jerry's.
If Cameranna will work I'll have some good pictures

All but Callie mule seem to be doing well. Callie has a runny nose still, but is eating and drinking. The horses who lost weight during their illnesses are starting to gain it back. Babe, Tess and Amira are eating lots and lots. Smokey and Brandie are back to their usual weight and Jet, Lucky and Maggie never lost weight.

This has been an overwhelming and exhausting chapter in our lives. We hope it is about over.

Thank you for all the kindnesses you have shown us.

Vet Day

The computer is being goofy so I'll try this once again with no pictures.
A huge thank you to Intervet who provided Home At Last with rabies and 5 way vaccines at no charge. They have a wonderful program that helps rescues. Aaron and Helen came to help catch horses. We got almost everyone done.
No new sickness!!! Callie still has a runny yucky nose, but no one else yet. If we can stay clear for another week we should be OK. The virus hangs around in the ground, etc for over a month after the last outbreak. Visitors and volunteers with horses will need to wash really well and change their clothes and shoes before they go home. Maybe by Sun Oct 3 we will be back in business. Keep your fingers crossed.
The funniest part of the day was the Tucker experience. In the past he has been a real pickle when getting treated. We were all ready for a fight. We took a deep breath and in a second it was all over. No fuss. No muss. Tucker looked at us and said "What?" What a good good boy.
It was a busy, but productive day. Thanks Dr D, Kelly, Helen and Aaron.

A New Day, An Old Memory and A New Box

The sun was bright this morning reminding us that we get to start anew each day. That reminded me of a visit I had with my dad several years ago.
We lived next to my folks in So Calif and shared 5 acres. My dad loved farming and would be up early each morning to tend his trees and his garden. One day he went out in his pajamas to get the paper. That was odd, so I asked him about it. He said, "I'm 75 years old now and I want to read the obituaries before I get dressed." "Why, Dad?" With a twinkle in his eye he said, "Because if I'm in there I'm not going to get dressed."
So every day I wake up not dead is a good day.

Day 4 of no new outbreaks. The herd is looking good and seems to be feeling good.

Do your cats play in the bathtub? Ours do. Patches carries things into the tub then invites the others in for a good time.

Fiesty couldn't resist.

Come on, Princess. It's fun.

Yep. It is fun.

Told you so.

A while back we did a cat in the box blog. Well, a new box arrived and the fun began again. Princess in the box.

Fiesty in a box.

Fiesty asleep in the box.

Patches in the box.

Thought I'd seen it all, then Fiesty and Princess got in the box.

Tomorrow Dr Darling will be here to give inoculations. We'll see what he says about the strangles.

Thank you for all the kind words and good thoughts you have been sending our way. It really helps.
We have paid some on our vet bill but it is still over $2000.00.