Birds going blind

[martinalison]

A few weeks ago I attended a young bird pigeon show.Since then a couple of the birds have gone blind in both eyes.I have spoken to a couple of fanciers who also exhibited at the show and they have also lost birds due to eye blindness.

The birds appeared OK on return from the show,then after about a week the eye pupils started to loss colour until the eye was completely clear.

As anyone heard of anything like this before.

[Guest Doostalker]

Martin, I have never esperienced blindness in any of my birds. Although I have which is 18 years old is starting to show cateracts in one eye.

 

I had a quick look at a couple of vet books and they say that blindness in pigeons can be as a result of a few specific illnesses. They would also display other physical symptoms associated with these illnesses though.

 

An ovedose of Metronidazole (Emtryl) can cause blindness. It is a treatment for canker.

 

Temporary blindness for up to six hours, can be caused by an overdose of Ivermectin, which is used to get rid of internal and external parasites.

 

Hope this helps, and if not that someone else has got the answer for you. You may be best getting a pm done if any of them die??

[Guest]

With due respect to Doostalker, all these birds have nothing in common except that they were at a show, handled by a judge(s), (probably) without gloves and who has passed on 'something' from bird to bird.

 

I haven't a clue what has happened to your birds eyes. The colour in the birds eyes is down to one thing (and one thing only) and that is the masses of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the iris (the part surrounding the pupil). If the colour has gone, it can only be because the blood has gone, probably by the blood supply being 'shut off' after the blood vessels have been attacked and 'killed' by something.

 

You DEFINITELY need to do three things:

 

(1) Isolate all the birds that have been at the show from your others and take the affected birds to a vet that knows something about birds.

 

(2) Contact the show organisers as a matter of urgency and advise them of this problem. They must advise everyone at that show that there's a problem.

 

(3) Clean and disinifect EVERYTHING that these birds have been in contact with.  

 

Other than cold tea, or saline water (both previously boiled) I don't know of an antimicrobial eyewash (for the unaffected birds). Perhaps others may be able to advise you of an eye wash 'specific'.

 

I do hope things turn out OK for you and your birds.  

[Guest]

Maybe not so bleak after all. Still a vet job though: Does this look and sound like your problem?:

 

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis ………….is characterised by ………conjunctivitis, and varying degrees of corneal opacity.

 

Infection with Chlamydia psittaci is most common; Non-chlamydial infections may be caused by Mycoplasma, and other bacteria.

 

[Chlamydial and mycoplasmal infections: most likely treatments are, respectively, topical tetracycline, oxytetracycline/polymyxin B, or erythromycin ointments are the treatments of choice. These preparations are all effective against Chlamydia or Mycoplasma and should be applied 3-4 times daily... I've only included this to show your birds' condition can be treated]

 

Separation of infected animals from normal animals is beneficial when possible. Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight may enhance the disease, therefore, affected animals should be provided with shade.

 

[Guest shadow]

Well done Bruno you certainly come up with the goods. I did not know what caused it but an older fancier told me never keep any strays in your loft not even overnight as a friend of his did keep a stray in his loft for 3 or 4 days and all his old birds went blind and he had to dispose of them. Since then if any get in my loft usually Y/Bs they are out and in an old widohood hen box in the garage, and I never attend to it until I have finished seeing to my own birds even then I wear disposable gloves to minimise the chance of giving any thing to my own birds

 

fly hard fly fair

[martinalison]

Many thanks for everyone’s help. The birds are losing body weight, don’t know if there are other problems but the eye loss is the one easiest to spot.

[Guest Doostalker]

Bruno, no umbrage taken.

 

I was indicating that I had never experienced this in my own birds and that a quick browse through some books failed to turn up anything like it. You must have a bigger library than me!!

 

I then mentioned the emtryl and ivermectin merely as general information but aware that they were not the likely cause of this incident. I had hoped that someone would come up with a possible answer and you turned up trumps.  

 

Best option is the vet. I would have some concerns about Martin's description of the eye, quote "the eye pupils started to loss colour until the eye was completely clear." Most that I have read about IK on the web indicates opacity in the eye and not a clearness. Keratoconjunctivitis can occur in most mammals including man for a variety of reason. I found an article on it in birds. Very technical, but of value if most people are like myself and never seen it before. See next post.

 

[Guest Doostalker]

"Birds.

 

There is considerable variation in the shape and anatomy of the avian eye in different orders.  This has practical significance when considering enucleation – some globes (especially in some raptors) are too large to extract intact through the orbital opening.  Voluntary control of the iris sphincter is especially well developed in birds making it difficult to interpret pupillary light reflexes in these animals.

 

In birds (probably occurs in lower vertebrates as well if investigated) ocular malformations (eye size and shape) can occur in response to rearing under particular lighting conditions.

 

Inflammation and infection of the eyelids and conjunctiva in birds have been related to various organisms.  Poxvirus commonly causes proliferative lesions of the eyelids in many species (often seen in psittacines).  Lesions may be limited to the lids and beak and resolve spontaneously with lid scarring and chronic  secondary keratoconjuctivitis or occur in a fatal form involving the mouth and respiratory tract.  No specific therapy is effective although prevention of secondary bacterial dermatitis, keratoconjunctivitis and pneumonia relies of topical and systemic antibiotics and topical lubricants.  Vitamin A deficiency can present with similar lesions.  Vitamin A should be supplemented when treating any suspected poxvirus infections.

 

Various other viruses (including Marek’s disease (herpesvirus), Newcastle disease (paramyxovirus) may affect poultry and other exotic species causing keratitis, uveitis and cataracts.

 

 

 

 

 

Various bacterial species can be isolated from the periocular sinuses of birds with conjunctivitis and swelling in the sinuses.  Incision into the sinuses is required to obtain exudate for culture and sensitivity.  Pus in birds is often inspissated and requires curettage and flushing to drain the affected areas (especially the infraorbital sinus).  Systemic broad spectrum antibiotics (eventually based on culture/sensitivity results) are  needed to treat these infections.

 

In general Gram +ve bacteria predominate in the normal conjunctival sac (as in mammals).  A wide spectrum of pathogens (including Gram +ve bacteria, Gram –ve bacteria such as Pseudomonas, E. coli, Salmonella,  Mycoplasma, and Mycobacterium have been isolated from birds with conjunctivitis.  Culture and use of appropriate antibiotics topically and systemically are indicated.

 

Inflammation of the eyelids can result in scarring and blepharophimosis – a condition seen in birds more often than other species.  Surgical therapy is rarely effective.  Other causes of periocular inflammation and keratoconjunctivitis include fungal infections (Candida), and various endo- and ectoparasites (spirurids, trematodes and Knemidokoptes).

 

 

 

 

 

Cataracts occur with some frequency in birds – inherited or associated with inflammation or trauma (or possibly diet).  Cataract surgery (phakofragmentation) may be effective in some of the species with larger globes (especially raptors).  Visual limitation (with cataracts or aphakic after surgery) may limit the ability of some species to be rehabilitated to the wild.

 

Corneal ulcers and uveitis occur occasionally in birds.  Ulcers should be cultured in view of exotic pathogens, which might be involved.  We have safely used aminoglycosides and quinolones topically for therapy of corneal ulcers in birds.  Uveitis is usually treated empirically with topical NSAIDs (flurbiprofen) or corticosteroids and if indicated systemic antibiotics.

 

Retinal degenerations may be inherited or occur secondary to inflammation  or trauma.  Retinal lesions are quite commonly diagnosed in raptors presented with ocular trauma and can influence decisions about release back into the wild.

 

Enucleation should be approached with caution in birds,  apart from the anesthetic risks, the possibility of blood loss and damage to the normal optic nerve or cardiac arrest.  In owls the large globe can be removed by extension of a lateral canthotomy to the aural opening or by collapsing the globe prior to removal"

 

 

Here's a link:-

http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00524.htm

 

 

[Guest Doostalker]

Another photo

 

[Guest]

Hi, Martinalison, thanks for coming back.  

 

With respect, the birds WILL lose weight - they cannot see, therefore they cannot eat.    You'll need to pop over a handful of corn each daily.

 

Can you confirm please if there were other animals or only pigeons at this show?

 

Any news on a visit the vet or from the show's organisers? (And I think they'll be liable for your costs.)  

 

Doostalker: Good information, the only thing I turned up related to animals, not birds. Hence my question on 'other animals' at this show. I think the photos work wonders in giving us a glimpse of what the symptoms look like and allows instant recognition of this is in the future. Do you think that Martinalison's birds have an 'exotic' disease rather than a common one? A result of temperature increase (Global Warming) perhaps?

 

 

 

 

[Guest Doostalker]

Bruno, have to confess being at a total loss. Have searched all afternoon and found only what I posted earlier (wife says I have to get a life!!) :D

 

Thing that puzzles me is Martin's description of the eye going clear. Does that mean the iris has lost has lost its pigmentation?  ??) Sounds weird.

 

I am hoping that Martin gets a precise description from a vet so that we all know for the future, but more importantly that he gets a cure for his birds.

[Guest]

Doostalker: The bits and pieces I've picked up point to only the cornea being affected, (the outermost protective membrane or lining covering the 'front' part of the eyeball) with the inner parts, including the iris, unaffected.

 

That's why I think the condition is treatable and the 'cloudiness' reversable.  

 

I'm particularly concerned because I have already picked up that there were 'eye problems' doing the rounds this year and wondered if something  'new' was on the go. In addition, conjuctivitis is the 'common symptom' for avian flu. So its something to be taken very seriously until its proven its the 'common-or-garden' type.  >  

 

 

[MsPigeon]

Bruno,

I am interested in ready more about "Infectious keratoconjunctivitis" that you posted along with picture of the eye gone white. Where did you find this info?

Carol

[Guest]

Hi, MsPigeon, I've posted the Merck Veterinary Manual web site up elesewhere: the page that you are looking for is at:

 

 

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/toc_30500.htm

 

 

[Guest]

I've heard that a bird can loose colour in the eye due to kidney problems, I can't remember who told be I think it was Jack Barkel.

 

will have a look through Jack's Book and Colin walker (Oz vet tomorrow)

[Guest]

Just a note to keep you advised of the current position with Martin's birds:  

 

PM from him yesterday that they were as yet unable to locate a vet that knew anything about birds. They are hand feeding the birds, but they're still losing body

 

My first response was to recommend he phone Lizzie Rigby, who advertises in the BHW., to see if she could help, or recommend a local avian vet. I've no idea where Martin lives or whether they could get down to Grays, Essex.   However, dawned on me later to try www.yell.com for Avian Vets, UK and this turned up more than 100 addresses / telephone numbers, and I've PM'd Martin to try this too.

 

The show was for birds only, fantails, with 12 exhibitors showing 80 birds. Most of the original stock originates from America, but it isn't known whether that is relevant to the illness.

 

I think there are lessons here for us all:

 

(1) Our Pigeon Shows season is approaching and I think organisers will need to examine how they do things and where needed, introduce reasonable precautions which will prevent what happened at the show Martin attended happening again.

 

(2) Many 'illnesses' in birds are beyond our 'layperson' knowledge. I think Clubs / Feds should at the minimum, know the names, addresses and telephone numbers of Avian vets either in their area, or near them.    

 

[Guest Doostalker]

Bruno/Martin, there is a vet called Graham Smith in Usk, Monmouthshire. He is very knowledgeable on pigeon ailments, and has a stand at the Welsh Spring Fayre and the WHU Annual Show each year. I have spoken with him several times and he is clued up on pigeons, and many of the Welsh fanciers use his services. His telephone is 01291 672637. He should be able to shed some light on the matter. Give him a try.

[Guest]

I have taken the liberty of copying Martin's original mail and posting it on The South African Pigeon Mailing list. Jack Barkel and Dr. Wim Peters contribute to this list and I hope they may come up with some dieas.

[MsPigeon]

Thank You Bruno,

I have a friend that said he had a pigeon that was so sick and near dieing that it lost all eye color. I thought it very odd. Oh, this is pink eye you speak of, I have seen this in cattle where the eye turns white. But most of all thanks for this wonderful link to the Merck Veterinary Manual. I have the book but it is old and I'm sure the web site is much more up to date.

Carol

[Guest]

Yes agree with you that this is a disease normally seen in cattle, MsPigeon, hence my question 'any animals at this show?'. (Could have been an agricultural or pet show.) But you'll recognise the disease-causing organisms in pink eye as amongst those that are also found in pigeons where they cause 'eye problems' too.  

 

I was pretty pleased to stumble upon the merck website myself.  ;D   A bit too technical for me at times though.    But the thing that astonishes and delights me at the same time is that it is 'public domain', a freebie!!! An excellent resource for at least trying to 'run down'  what a problem might be...and DOESN'T dispense with the need for a vet. Glad to be of help.  

 

 

[Guest slugmonkey]

I have had birds lose color in the eye but never go clear it usally just manifests its self as a graying of the eye usally these dont make it I have never had one return that has reached this stage I have never really had a large number of birds go sick like this so I usally just cull to avoid spreading the disease although I had a really good hen go this route so I isolated her and tried Bayatril but she just kept getting worse I dont think she was blind just really thin and listless with no twisting symptoms another time I had a commie show up like this I took her out of the loft and released her she went about 20 feet and fell over dead I was scared for several weeks if it had contaminated my flock but luckily nothing happened

[Guest slugmonkey]

I will also usally give elderberry concentrate for a couple of days followed by cider vinegar I do this anytime I show or have another bird enter my loft

[Guest shadow]

Personally if they were mineI would dispose of them, and disinfect the loft with a flame gun and smoke bombs

[Guest]

Tend to agree with you Shadow, at least about outing the bird, based on my own experiences this year. Stop short of burning the loft down though!!!

 

To recap, had two young cocks with eye problems - my first ever experience of this.

 

Reckon I'd cured the problems, but basically couldn't stop watching them - one seemed to be prone to injury in that eye, or it didn't look right, etc. Just plain damned unsettling for me. Only recently 'satisfied' that the bird is 100% and he remains for 2006.  >

 

But the other I just couldn't fathom - bull eyed bird, and the affected eye was left with the tiniest clear patch. If I've looked at that eye once, I've looked at it dozens of times for signs of spread or impaired vision. The crunch came in the last fortnight when the bird was involved in a right ding-dong with another cock who'd claimed his box - I'd left the place for 5 minutes to change the water and when I came back both birds were still in the box - a Mexican stand-off - and were covered in blood, eye ceres ripped - including the 'suspect' eye, with the clear patch now appearing 'corrugated'. So the bird was outed, (along with the aggressor).

 

It's difficult to tell whether problem solved, or simply dormant. And its unsettling wondering if you've cured the bird, or created a carrier. I think if I'm ever faced with this again, it's a definite vet job to find out what's behind it.

 

 

 

 

[jimmy white]

albeit an interesting subject, i would have to agree with shadow   DANGER