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In every instance these notes are a general guide only, if you are unsure of the illness, please seek the advice of a Vet.
Mycoplasmosis Catarrh
The chronical form of catarrh in pigeons often is called “Mycoplasmosis”. It is caused by a multiple infection with pathogens: bacteria (e.g. Cocci), viruses (e.g. Herpes) and pathogens which belong to the group of micoplasma organisms. It is assumed that mycoplasma causes severe conditions only in the presence of other infections.
Pathogen/Cause:
Outside the animal body, mycoplasma organisms are viable only for a short period (approx. 17 days at 20°C, but only 20 minutes at 50°C). Low temperatures favour their survival. Mycoplasma organisms are killed by almost all commonly used disinfectans. Transmission takes place through the faeces, the
water, feed, equipment and by droplet infection from pigeon to pigeon.
Symptoms of the disease:
Mucopurolent discharge from the nose, reduced flying performance, unwillingness to fly, flying awkwardly, throat inflammation, rattling and wheezing sound of respiration particularly noticeable by night. Air sac inflammation.
Recognition of the disease:
Cadaver examination: air sac inflammation
Serological blood test
Treatment
In air sac inflammation: see treatment plan for the application of Aviosan.
In rattling sounds of respiration: Injection (s.c.) of 0.5 ml Aviosan injectable per pigeon per day, for 3 days, subsequently chevimulin-t for 5 days at a dose of 1 sachet per 3 litres of water
Disinfection by using disinfectans.
Prevention:
Elimination of possible factors that reduce the birds resistance infection.
Such factors may be: overcrowding in the loft, lack of cleanliness, latent infections (e.g. ectoparasites, worm infestation, coccidial infection), excessive stress in breeding, deficient feed, poor water supply, stress during the racing season.
Products:
Aviosan - Chevita
Doxyvet - FOYS
Ornithosis
Ornithosis is an infectious disease that affects many bird species worldwide. It can also be transmitted to humans and other mammals. In Germany, ornithosis is a notifiable disease in pigeons.
Pathogen:
Chlamydia psittaci. Chlamydia are small, non-motile micro-organisms that invade cells parasitically. Infection occurs via inhalation of stirred-up dust containing the pathogen, uptake of faecally contaminated feed or water, or else billing or feeding of squabs.
Symptoms of the disease:
Ornithosis occurs in 2 forms:
The acute form can be recognised in young pigeons from: wheezing noises, uni- or bilateral conjunctivitis and muco-aqueous enteritis with diarrhoea.
The chronic form is more often found in adult birds, which, however, show few or no signs of the disease. Pigeons that have recovered are a dangerous source of infection for young pigeons and for humans due to their latent shedding of the pathogen.
Recognition of the disease:
The disease can be demonstrated in dead pigeons by microscopic examination of a smear or impression (“klatsch”) preparation of spleen, liver, conjuctiva or air sac that has first been stained using the method according to Stamp. I live birds, the pathogen is demonstrated in faeces, via a sink dab from the cloaca, or alternatively by serological identification of specific antibodies.
Similar conditions:
Infectious catarrh, salmonellosis, paramyxovirus infection.
Treatment:
Flocks are treated with chlortetracycline+, which has been successfully used for many years to control ornithosis. In order to maintain effective blood levels, administration of chlortetracycline+ must not be interrupted during the 25-day treatment period.
Notes:
Do not give the pigeons any feedstuffs containing calcium (e.g. grit) during treatment, since calcium binds chlortetracycline and thus reduces its efficacy.
No free flight for affected pigeons.
Remove bath water.
Products:
ORNICURE – Oropharma
Chlortetracyclin+ - Chevita
Orni Special – Belgica DeWeerd
Doxyvet – FOYS
Infectious catarrh (Coryza)
Diseases of the respiratory tract are very often mixed infections. Outbreaks of the disease result from the combined effects of pathogens and factors within the loft environment that reduce the birds’ resistance to infection.
Pathogens:
The door to infection is opened by mycoplasma and viruses, in addition to fungi and trichomonads. These lower the pigeons’ resistance and allow pathogenic bacteria – pasteurella, cocci and coli bacteria – to colonise and multiply. It is these secondary pathogens that engender the actual clinical picture of visible and audible catarrh (wheezing). Catarrh is not always caused by pathogens. Very often, inadequate ventilation and waste-air extraction, drafts, a deficient supply of oxygen and high concentration of noxious gases and dust in the loft reduce the pigeons’ resistance, making them extremely susceptible to infection.
Symptoms of the disease:
Initially the pigeon fancier notices sneezing and an aqueous nasal discharge, which in the acute form of the disease becomes mucopurulent and yellowish brown colour. This is accompanied by the first signs that the birds’ general condition is impaired, namely reduces feed and water intake, cessation of down moulting and a reluctance to fly. The wattle and bridge of the nose turn grey and there is scratching of the head and nose. When the beak is opened, stringy mucus can be seen stretching from the retrolingual region (behind the tongue) to the palate. Additional clinical signs are a reddening and swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa (pharynx).
In the advanced stage of the disease, whitish-yellow deposits are formed in the laryngeal region. The inflammatory processes extend to the windpipe and the lower respiratory tract (air sacs).
Recognition of the disease:
The diagnosis “infectious catarrh” can usually be established simply by the behaviour of affected pigeons, the inflammatory changes in the head region and respiratory tract and the characteristic sounds of respiration (wheezing). Veterinary examination and bacteriological demonstration of the pathogen are recommended on first suspicion of disease.
Similar conditions:
Ornithosis, trichomoniasis
Treatment:
Removal of factors that lower resistance and cause stress: examination of the loft (ventilation and waste-air extraction), stocking density and atmospheric dust levels.
To reduce air-borne bacteria, spray the loft twice daily with a working solution of chevi-air (approx. 5 pump actions per compartment: avoid formation of droplets on the walls).
Working solution = 60ml (3 dosing heads) per 2 litres of water.
Notes:
Do not give the pigeon any feedstuffs containing calcium (e.g. grit) during treatment, since calcium binds chlortetracycline and thus reduces its efficacy.
No free flight for affected pigeons.
Do not provide bath water.
Products:
AMOXICURE – Oropharma
Chevimulin-t - Chevita
Mycoplasmosis Catarrh
The chronical form of catarrh in pigeons often is called “Mycoplasmosis”. It is caused by a multiple infection with pathogens: bacteria (e.g. Cocci), viruses (e.g. Herpes) and pathogens which belong to the group of micoplasma organisms. It is assumed that mycoplasma causes severe conditions only in the presence of other infections.
Pathogen/Cause:
Outside the animal body, mycoplasma organisms are viable only for a short period (approx. 17 days at 20°C, but only 20 minutes at 50°C). Low temperatures favour their survival. Mycoplasma organisms are killed by almost all commonly used disinfectans. Transmission takes place through the faeces, the
water, feed, equipment and by droplet infection from pigeon to pigeon.Symptoms of the disease:
Mucopurolent discharge from the nose, reduced flying performance, unwillingness to fly, flying awkwardly, throat inflammation, rattling and wheezing sound of respiration particularly noticeable by night. Air sac inflammation.
Recognition of the disease:
Cadaver examination: air sac inflammation
Serological blood test
Treatment
In air sac inflammation: see treatment plan for the application of Aviosan.
In rattling sounds of respiration: Injection (s.c.) of 0.5 ml Aviosan injectable per pigeon per day, for 3 days, subsequently chevimulin-t for 5 days at a dose of 1 sachet per 3 litres of
waterDisinfection by using disinfectans.
Prevention:
Elimination of possible factors that reduce the birds resistance infection.
Such factors may be: overcrowding in the loft, lack of cleanliness, latent infections (e.g. ectoparasites, worm infestation, coccidial infection), excessive stress in breeding, deficient feed, poor water supply, stress during the racing season.
Products:
Aviosan - Chevita
Doxyvet - FOYS
Ornithosis
Ornithosis is an infectious disease that affects many bird species worldwide. It can also be transmitted to humans and other mammals. In Germany, ornithosis is a notifiable disease in pigeons.
Pathogen:
Chlamydia psittaci. Chlamydia are small, non-motile micro-organisms that invade cells parasitically. Infection occurs via inhalation of stirred-up dust containing the pathogen, uptake of faecally contaminated feed or water, or else billing or feeding of squabs.
Symptoms of the disease:
Ornithosis occurs in 2 forms:
The acute form can be recognised in young pigeons from: wheezing noises, uni- or bilateral conjunctivitis and muco-aqueous enteritis with diarrhoea.
The chronic form is more often found in adult birds, which, however, show few or no signs of the disease. Pigeons that have recovered are a dangerous source of infection for young pigeons and for humans due to their latent shedding of the pathogen.
Recognition of the disease:
The disease can be demonstrated in dead pigeons by microscopic examination of a smear or impression (“klatsch”) preparation of spleen, liver, conjuctiva or air sac that has first been stained using the method according to Stamp. I live birds, the pathogen is demonstrated in faeces, via a sink dab from the cloaca, or alternatively by serological identification of specific antibodies.
Similar conditions:
Infectious catarrh, salmonellosis, paramyxovirus infection.
Treatment:
Flocks are treated with chlortetracycline+, which has been successfully used for many years to control ornithosis. In order to maintain effective blood levels, administration of chlortetracycline+ must not be interrupted during the 25-day treatment period.
Notes:
Do not give the pigeons any feedstuffs containing calcium (e.g. grit) during treatment, since calcium binds chlortetracycline and thus reduces its efficacy.
No free flight for affected pigeons.
Remove bath water.
Products:
ORNICURE – Oropharma
Chlortetracyclin+ - Chevita
Orni Special – Belgica DeWeerd
Doxyvet – FOYS
Infectious catarrh (Coryza)
Diseases of the respiratory tract are very often mixed infections. Outbreaks of the disease result from the combined effects of pathogens and factors within the loft environment that reduce the birds’ resistance to infection.
Pathogens:
The door to infection is opened by mycoplasma and viruses, in addition to fungi and trichomonads. These lower the pigeons’ resistance and allow pathogenic bacteria – pasteurella, cocci and coli bacteria – to colonise and multiply. It is these secondary pathogens that engender the actual clinical picture of visible and audible catarrh (wheezing). Catarrh is not always caused by pathogens. Very often, inadequate ventilation and waste-air extraction, drafts, a deficient supply of oxygen and high concentration of noxious gases and dust in the loft reduce the pigeons’ resistance, making them extremely susceptible to infection.
Symptoms of the disease:
Initially the pigeon fancier notices sneezing and an aqueous nasal discharge, which in the acute form of the disease becomes mucopurulent and yellowish brown colour. This is accompanied by the first signs that the birds’ general condition is impaired, namely reduces feed and water intake, cessation of down moulting and a reluctance to fly. The wattle and bridge of the nose turn grey and there is scratching of the head and nose. When the beak is opened, stringy mucus can be seen stretching from the retrolingual region (behind the tongue) to the palate. Additional clinical signs are a reddening and swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa (pharynx).
In the advanced stage of the disease, whitish-yellow deposits are formed in the laryngeal region. The inflammatory processes extend to the windpipe and the lower respiratory tract (air sacs).
Recognition of the disease:
The diagnosis “infectious catarrh” can usually be established simply by the behaviour of affected pigeons, the inflammatory changes in the head region and respiratory tract and the characteristic sounds of respiration (wheezing). Veterinary examination and bacteriological demonstration of the pathogen are recommended on first suspicion of disease.
Similar conditions:
Ornithosis, trichomoniasis
Treatment:
Removal of factors that lower resistance and cause stress: examination of the loft (ventilation and waste-air extraction), stocking density and atmospheric dust levels.
To reduce air-borne bacteria, spray the loft twice daily with a working solution of chevi-air (approx. 5 pump actions per compartment: avoid formation of droplets on the walls).
Working solution = 60ml (3 dosing heads) per 2 litres of water.
Notes:
Do not give the pigeon any feedstuffs containing calcium (e.g. grit) during treatment, since calcium binds chlortetracycline and thus reduces its efficacy.
No free flight for affected pigeons.
Do not provide bath water.
Products:
AMOXICURE – Oropharma
Chevimulin-t - Chevita
