Please help

[nutverlal]

Hi there

 

I was at my friends this evening, and come across three birds with the following signs:

 

a. The birds are curled up.

b, One of the birds is breathing heavily, that you can hear him.

c.  One of the birds tail is cover with dropping?

 

I though it can be respoerary and or internal canker?

 

Would that be the case and what treatment would be the best?

 

 

please do advice

 

many thanks

 

 

[craighughes]

Worm infestation

Hairworms and roundworms are widespread in pigeon flocks, whereas tapeworms are less common. These worm types live as parasites in the small intestine of pigeons.

Pathogen:

The hairworm, Capillaria obsignata - a very slender, hair-like parasite - infests various poultry species in addition to pigeons. Hairworm eggs become infective in the environment after 8-9 days.

The pigeon roundworm, Ascaridia columbae, only occurs in pigeons. The eggs become infective in the environment after 2-3 weeks.

Two types of tapeworm, Hymenolepis columbae and Raillietina columbae, infest pigeons. Their emergence is dependent on suitable intermediate hosts (snails, beetles, ants), which they require in order to develop. Pigeons only become infected if they ingest an intermediate host.

The interval between ingestion of infective worm eggs, sexual maturation of the new generation of worms and the first excretion of eggs in the faeces (prepatent period) is 5-6 weeks for roundworms, 3-4 weeks for hairworms and approx. 2 weeks for tapeworms. All types of worms may also appear at the same time.

Symptoms of the disease:

Affected pigeons produce droppings of varying consistency 10-12 days after ingesting infective eggs or an intermediate host. Appetite is initially increased, but diminishes as infestation progresses. The birds lose weight. Heavily infested pigeons usually show impaired general condition and are listless and apathetic with dull, ruffled plumage.

Recognition of the disease:

Hairworm and roundworm infestation is identified by microscopic examination of faecal samples (prepared according to the flotation method). When the intestine is cut open during the cadaver examination, the yellowish-white roundworms are clearly visible, whereas the fine, white hairworms require a smear preparation, which is floated in a flat dish with a dark base.

In many cases, the intestinal mucosa also reveals inflammatory lesions and focal haemorrhages caused by the burrowing of parasites. Tapeworm infestation is demonstrated by the identification of tapeworm segments or eggs in the faeces.

Similar conditions:

Salmonellosis, coccidiosis, E.coli infection.

Treatment:

Deworm all pigeons in a flock at the same time using 1 capsule of ascapilla®+ per pigeon. Before administering the capsule, moisten it with edible oil. Introduce it through the opened beak, then gently massage the pigeon's throat in the direction of the crop to ensure the capsule slides down smoothly. Check that deworming has been successful 3-4 weeks after administering the capsule by microscopic examination of faecal samples.

Note:

Pigeons should not be dewormed while they are rearing the young or during the main moult.

 

my advice would be to get the droppings to a vet to see what he is dealing with it could be a few things that are wrong with them

[craighughes]

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 und trichomonads. These lower the pigeons' resistance and allow pathogenic bacteria - pasteurella, cocci und 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 concentrations 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 in colour. This is accompanied by the first signs that the birds' general condition is impaired, namely reduced 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 to the palate. Additional clinical signs are a reddening and swelling of the pharyngeal mucosa.

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 from 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 = 60 ml (3 dosing heads) per 2 litres of water.

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.

Do not provide bath water.

[craighughes]

Trichomoniasis (Canker)

Trichomoniasis occurs in pigeon flocks worldwide. It is especially feared as a rearing disease with severe losses.

Pathogen:

Trichomonas gallinae is a monocellular, motile flagellate. Nearly all pigeons are carriers of trichomonads, which live in the mucosa of the beak and throat, the gullet and the crop. Infected pigeons excrete the parasites in saliva and faeces. Adult pigeons infect the young when feeding crop milk.

Symptoms of the disease:

In adult pigeons and fledglings, there is a noticable decrease in vitality, reluctance to fly, diarrhoea and a reddening of the throat. As the infection progresses, "yellow buttons" appear on the palatal mucosa, developing into caseous yellow deposits (canker). Do not detach the deposits due to risk of bleeding.

Nestlings develop an umbilical infection and an abscess is formed which can spread to the internal organs. At 10-14 days of age, pungent-smelling liquid droppings and the first signs of retarded growth are observed, with the nestlings constantly squeaking for food.

Recognition of the disease:

Trichomonads are demonstrated microscopically in moist smears from the pharyngeal or crop mucosa of a living or recently killed pigeon. In a cadaver, it is possible to demonstrate the pathogen for up to 20 hours after death.

Similar conditions:

In adult pigeons, white dots appearing towards the back of the throat are not trichomonas foci. These firm, white or yellowish-grey nodules are, in fact, salivary calculi (sialoliths), formed from the hardened secretions of the mucous glands. They are harmless and should not be removed due to risk of bleeding.

Treatment:

When trichomonads are identified, all pigeons in the flock should be treated at the same time with chevi-col®+.

If increased drinking water is required (e.g. in the hatching period or hot weather), do not dilute medicated water. Instead, provide fresh water after the medicated water is finished. Do not provide bath water during the treatment period.

[jimmy white]

sounds to me like heavy respiratory desease ,,,causing secondry infections