Pigeonbasics.com

mechanical stage - means you can move the slide side to side and up and down so you can view the whole of the slide.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Microsco.....eZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

ordinary one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MICROSCO.....eZWD3VQQcmdZViewItem

cheers cheq, we are learning every day

hi was at my local LIDL today and got another microscope not like the one i have which connects to the pc etc, but yes its a pocket microscope with light and is 60-100x magnification, yes its great cant get it away from my gran/son he is at everything with it, they are very good, about 6inch long and 2inch wide, been playing all day with it going down 2 moro to get another one, it has a focus wheel and a swivel light on it and works off 2 aa batteries,

Best thing you can do is to get in touch with David Parsons (Vet) and book on to one of his Microscope teaching courses (£30). He is usually full, but give it a try. Not only does he teach, and teach well, but shows you what, where and how to look properly. And he gives you photos, plus spare spatulas, cotton buds, slides in  addition. You'll be surprised at who could be sitting beside you on the bench. Cheers, Bill.

Quoted from Bilco

Best thing you can do is to get in touch with David Parsons (Vet) and book on to one of his Microscope teaching courses (£30). He is usually full, but give it a try. Not only does he teach, and teach well, but shows you what, where and how to look properly. And he gives you photos, plus spare spatulas, cotton buds, slides in  addition. You'll be surprised at who could be sitting beside you on the bench. Cheers, Bill.

Yes Bilco he is very approachable and more than helpful. He can normally be found working on a stand upstairs in the Blackpool show. Can also be contacted via this link   http://www.poultryhealthcentre.com/default.htm

I got one of those microscopes from Lidl over xmas - Will definately need someone to show me what im looking for!! i.e. for a throat swab, using a cotton bud - how far down their throat do I need to go etc. And whats the best time of day to test for cocci??

Just found a good link :- http://www.finchaviary.com/Maintenance/FecalSmear.htm

hiya all   ive got one of the microscopes from lidl hooked up to my computer they are great. I sent to AMERICA for a book it shows you all the good and bad bugs you might see under your scope. its in full colour and it tells you how to float droppings test blood you name it tells you its 306 pages and called VETERINARY CLINICAL PARASITOLOGY  its the seven edition written by ANNE M ZAJAC   AND GARY A CONBOY supplied to me by blackwell publishing 50 quid off the net if anyone wants a copy they can borrow my book i will be at the  blackpool show show

Hello Peter , dont loan it out all season , ill be needing to take a look myself . have got slides on order , awaiting news to pick them up !             andy  

dont worry andy you are on top of my list

Quoted from stevebelbin

I got one of those microscopes from Lidl over xmas - Will definately need someone to show me what im looking for!! i.e. for a throat swab, using a cotton bud - how far down their throat do I need to go etc. And whats the best time of day to test for cocci??

i believe its to the bottom of the throat,and freshest droppings as possible

Cheers Wiley - Will give it ago    

To take a throat swab - use long cotton bud - wet (but not drench)in cooled boiled water, 'swab' the throat with wet cotton bud - squeeze liquid onto slide, view through microscope as quickly as possible - I watched an 'expert' do the sample this way.

good idea wiley

Does anyone in the forum use a microscope to monitor the health of their pigeons ?

If so what tests and what is the specs needed on the microscope ?

I'm looking at starting this myself Craig, and basically getting nowhere fast.

I'm trying to track down the Home Doctor system, have seen references to it on other threads on the forum, but can find zilch on-line on its features, who supports it and whether the system will be upgraded in the future.

I'm particularly interested in visual aids or recognition systems, to help identify what is on the slide. Redcheqhen's post elsewhere has put me on to a book [under the microscope] but wondered if there was something out there specifically for pigeon fanciers.

i have the home doctor system give me a ring on 07900404806 newcastle

THE FLYING VET'S PIGEON HEALTH & MANAGEMENT -by Dr. Colin Walker. Dr. Walker is a very successful pigeon racing veterinarian in Australia, and he shares information gained during 30 years of racing his own birds that includes race fitness, race preparation and recovery, disease control during racing and breeding, behavior, droppings, loft design, feeding, and much more. Many of his Australian Pigeon Company products are discussed in this book. Hardcover with color photographs, 322 pp.
http://www.siegelpigeons.com/catalog-health.html

this is a great book with photo aids for yopu to compare when using your scope

Scopes in the post, from USA.  

Includes some prepared slides, and have seen others on offer. German firm also market them, dropped them an email but no reply.

Mines is a PC job so hope to be able to collect 'samples' on-line. Here's a sample pic -cocci

here are some shots saved from back in 2003 of Hair worm, round worm and coccie