YOUNG BIRD SICKNESS

[Guest]

Well, this is a REALLY long one this time, but with due respect to you all, none of you appear to fully appreciate, understand or give the birds' own immune the credit it deserves. Stucky has again repeated the general misunderstanding that nothing can tackle a viral infection. Please feel free to copy the following (8) pages, it will take a little time to digest (good pun again  :'( ) but I think it will be worth your trouble:

 

 

Volume IV, Issue 1

 

The HolisticBird Newsletter Devoted to Health and Healing of Avian Mind, Body, Spirit. Spring 2004

 

The Immune System  

 

 

The primary role of the immune system is to provide the bird with the ability to resist invasion and injurious effects from pathogens (disease causing organisms.) A bird’s immune system consists mainly of lymphatic vessels and lymphoid tissues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Lymph Organs

 

The two major immune system organs are: Bursa of Fabricius (associated with B-cells) and the Thymus Gland (associated with T-cells).

 

Bursa of Fabricius is predominate in young birds and is situated adjacent to the cloaca. It is the source of antigen-producing B-lymphocytes in embryonic stage. B-lymphocytes, the cells that produce antibodies, are initially produced in the embryonic liver, yolk sac and bone marrow, then move through the blood to the Bursa of Fabricius where they mature. Gradually, as birds grow older, the Bursa of Fabricus becomes smaller. At about the time of the bird's sexual maturity, it has atrophied and no longer functions.

 

The Thymus gland is located in the neck along the jugular vein and functions at peak levels in the young. It produces hormones that program certain lymphocytes against certain antigens. T-lymphocytes begin as the same stem cells as the B-cells, but are programmed in the thymus rather than the Bursa of Fabricus.

 

The Spleen is divided into red and white pulp. The white pulp is where the T-lymphocytes reside. The spleen filters and cleans the blood of debris and destroys worn out red blood cells. The bone marrow produces lymphocytes and macrophages. The lymph nodes filter lymph.

 

Secondary Lymph Organs

 

The secondary lymphatic organs are the spleen, bone marrow, mural lymph nodules and lymph nodes along with the lymphatic circulatory system of vessels and capillaries that transport lymph fluid throughout the body. Unlike mammals, birds do not have organised lymph nodes.

 

The immune system is divided into non-specific and specific immune mechanisms and has three types of defences. The first two defences are considered non-specific while the third is specific.

 

The non-specific defence system responds immediately to protect the bird from all foreign substances. It is provided by intact skin, mucous membranes, the inflammatory response, white blood cells and a number of proteins produced by body cells. This system reduces the workload of the specific defence system by preventing entry and spread of micro organisms throughout the body.

 

The specific defence system puts up an attack against particular foreign substances. While certain body organs are involved, the immune response consists mostly of a variety of molecules and immune cells (lymphocytes and macrophages) which inhibit the lymphatic tissues and circulate in body fluids.

 

When the immune system is functioning properly, it will protect against most invading bacteria, viruses, and cells that have turned on its own body. It does this by cell attack and by releasing mobilising chemicals and protective antibody molecules.

 

First Defence (non-specific)

 

The first defence is the feathers and skin, which provide a physical barrier that some disease organisms cannot penetrate. Another is the normal micro flora found in the stomach along with a thick mucus layer. When the microbial population is dense and stable in the stomach, mucus helps to prevent the invading organisms from gaining a foothold. In the respiratory tract there are fine hair-like projections called cilia that help to sweep invading bacteria back up toward the beak keeping it from entering the lower respiratory system. When the first defence is penetrated and the pathogens invade deeper tissues the second line of defence comes to defend the body.

 

Second Defence (non-specific)

 

The second line of defence is made up of cells and a chemical defence. These are circulating in the blood and organs. Phagocytes are large white cells that attract the pathogen and engulf it and digest it. Phagocytes include monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils.

 

Monocytes circulate in the blood and travel to the site of infection. Once at the site they turn into macrophages. Macrophages are found in tissues throughout the body. They act as scavengers secrete a wide variety of powerful chemicals and play a role in activating T cells. Neutrophils form a primary defence against bacteria and move out of the blood to infected tissue when needed. In a serious bacterial infection, neutrophils will be produced in increased numbers resulting in a higher than normal white blood count.

 

Natural killer cells (NK) patrol the body in the lymph and blood. They attack the membrane of target cell and release chemicals that cause the target cell’s membrane and nucleus to disintegrate. They kill cancer cells, tumour cells and virus-infected cells before the specific immune system gets involved. Natural killer cells can act upon any target cell by recognising certain sugars on the invading cell’s surface.

 

The inflammatory response begins with a chemical alarm. When cells are injured they release inflammatory chemicals such as histamines and kinins that activate pain receptors, cause blood vessels and capillaries to become dilated and leaky (causing heat, redness and swelling) and attract phagocytes and white blood cells to the area. The inflammatory response prevents the spread of damaging agents to nearby tissues, sends the phagocytes to dispose of cell debris and pathogens, sends clotting proteins to the area, and sets the stage for repair.

 

Anti-microbial chemicals are another defence. These include, interferons, complements (20+ plasma proteins that circulate in the blood inactive until they attach to a foreign cell) and fever. Interferons are proteins released by virus-infected cells that protect uninfected tissue cells from a viral take-over. Complements break down micro-organisms and help to intensify the inflammatory response. Fever inhibits multiplication of bacteria and enhances the body repair process.

 

The Immune System (specific defence)

 

The immune response immensely increases the inflammatory response and provides protection that is carefully targeted against specific antigens. Once it has been exposed to a new antigen it will store it in its memory bank and react to it more intensely the next time around.

 

An antigen is any substance that gets the immune system excited so that it induces a response. Antigens can be foreign proteins, large carbohydrates, pollen, bacteria, fungi, virus particles, and some lipids. Antigens are usually large molecules, but small molecules may link up with the body’s own proteins and seem foreign to the immune system, therefore triggering an immune response (like allergies).

 

 

Cells of the Immune System

 

The major cells of the immune system are lymphocytes and macrophages. There are two types of lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and T-lymphocytes created in the embryonic liver, yolk sac, and bone marrow. The T-cells travel to the thymus to become capable to responding to specific antigens by binding to them. B-cells travel to the Bursa of Fabricius (for approximately 6 weeks) where they get programmed for their specific antigen. Once capable, they circulate in the blood and lymph and travel to the other lymph organs where they encounter antigens. Once they have recognised and bound to an antigen they become mature lymphocytes and only attack that certain antigen.

 

B-cells produce antibodies. Antibodies are soluble proteins made up of amino acids. They inactivate antigens by binding to the antigen, breaking down the cell wall and release molecules that enhance the inflammatory process. Antibodies can bind to more than one antigen at a time. This process produces clumping and immobilisation, which allows the phagocytes to capture and engulf the antigens more easily.

 

There are three classes of antibodies, known as immunoglobulins (Ig), produced in birds after exposure to a disease organism: IgM, IgG, and IgA. IgM appears after 4-5 days following exposure to a disease organism and then disappears by 10-12 days. IgG is detected after 5 days following exposure, peaks at 3 to 3 ½ weeks, and then slowly decreases. IgA appears after 5 days following exposure. This antibody is found primarily in the mucus secretions of the eyes, gut, and respiratory tract.

 

T-cells are not able to bind to free antigens. Instead, macrophages engulf antigens and present them on its membrane for recognition by the T cell bearing the same receptor for the same antigen. Macrophages also release a chemical that activates the T cells. Killer T cells bind to an antigen inserting a chemical called perforin into the foreign cell’s membrane that causes it to rupture. Helper T cells circulate through the body and recruit other cells to fight the antigens. Suppressor T cells slow down the body’s immune system when an antigen has been successfully inactivated or destroyed.

 

Protective Nutrients

 

While the immune system is responding against pathogens, it too can produce harmful substances. When the immune system acts, T-cells, B-cells and phagocytes are multiplying rapidly and are prone to peroxidative damage by free radicals. Certain antioxidants may help. Vitamin E is present in the cellular membranes and prevents oxidation of unsaturated lipids by free radicals. Vitamin E works closely with Selenium, which is a component of an enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) that removes active peroxides from cells before they oxidise unsaturated lipids. Vitamins C and A are both antioxidants. Vitamin C can inactivated free radicals directly in the cell and can act indirectly by regenerating the antioxidant form of Vitamin E.

 

Zinc is a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Zinc plays a role in cell division, cell stability, protein metabolism, and carbohydrate digestion. It aids in wound healing and lymphocyte productions. Deficiency can reduce the number of T cells and decrease natural killer cell activity. Copper enhances the development of red and white blood cells. Deficiency reduces the maturation of lymphocytes. Magnesium is crucial for lymphocyte growth. Deficiency reduces the levels of immunoglobulin and antibody forming cells and promotes production of free radicals and lipid peroxidation.

 

Some Herbs for the Immune System

 

Astragalus

 

Astragalus promotes healing and strengthens the immune system and is often used as a preventative at the onset of infection. It has been found to enhance the immune system by stimulating the responsiveness of T-cells. Research at the University of Texas took damaged immune cells from cancer patients and added Astragalus extract to the cells and compared them to normal immune cells. The Astragalus was able to completely restore the cancer patient’s cells to normal and in some instances the cells were stimulated to a more heightened response than that of a normal cell. Another study suggested long-term use (35 days) heightened the activity of spleen cells.

 

Echinacea

 

Echinacea helps to activate macrophages that are directly involved with the destruction of infectious agents. It also increases the production of interferon (a protein released by virus-infected cells that protect uninfected tissue cells from viral take-over), an important part of the body’s defence against viral infections. It has also been shown to activate natural killer T cells and is an anti-inflammatory. It also inhibits the bacterial enzyme hyaluronidase, to help prevent bacterial access to healthy cells.

 

Garlic

 

Garlic is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Helps to enhance phagocyte activity and proliferation of T cells and the sulfur compounds enhance natural killer cells. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of the yeast organism Candidiasis albicans.

 

Reishi Mushroom

 

Reishi mushroom has adaptogenic qualities that normalise bodily functions and improve stamina. It is an antioxidant that raises T-cell levels and inhibits bacteria and viruses.

 

[Guest shadow]

My theory about Y/B sickness is it is started by stress, years ago before  young on dakness and winning with Y/B's at all cost .  young birds were reared naturally. So their imune system was under no stress if you interfere with nature there will be a price to pay. I personally do not use Darkness and use young bird racing to educate my youngsters and am usually down at the low end of results, and have never had Y/B sickness in my loft. young birds are still developing  and growing they do not need to be flogged down the road as people are doing,  they are babys for a year but racing pigeons for the rest of their lives

 

fly hard fly fair

[Guest]

Rose & Shadow, agree with you about stress and young birds.  

 

And if in the space of just a few weeks 'we' can undermine an immune system which has been 60 million years in the making, and create serious illness in our young birds, I reckon what what 'we' are doing wrong must be more than just a wee bit wide of the mark.

[MsPigeon]

You are exactly right stucky 1, there is no cure for YBS and it is the secondary illnesses that kill them. But are you all even talking about the same thing when you talk about YBS? Has anyone actually had a post mortem done? This year at our Washington State one loft race I had an interesting chat with the loft manager. It seems that straight away when they were receiving birds from all over the state some started getting sick and dropping dead. Not knowing for sure what to treat for they took a pigeon to the University of Washington to have a post mortem. They found that it had circa virus. I'm not certain of the spelling and I believe this is a shortened version of the name. At any rate it was a virus with no known cure. It was the secondary infections that were killing the birds as the virus left the birds with no immune system to fight them off. The recommendation was to put bleach in the water to prevent the spread. Yes, that's right BLEACH in the water, 5cc's to a liter of water. The birds that recovered were immune and not pass it on there after.

Carol

[stucky 1]

HIms, you rite we all assume it y/b sickness wen it well may be something else, lot of the symptoms are the same, other thing we all logg it under y/b sickness have read about circa virus it deadly,

[Guest]

There is work published on Circovirus.  

 

Early in the bird's life it can attack the Bursa of Fabricius and wipe it out leaving the immune system in theory physically able to do its job, but in practice without 'the chemical instructions' on how to go about it.

 

Copied from the earlier piece posted on the immune system:

 

"Bursa of Fabricius is predominate in young birds and is situated adjacent to the cloaca. It is the source of antigen-producing B-lymphocytes ... the cells that produce antibodies .... Gradually, as birds grow older, the Bursa of Fabricus becomes smaller. At about the time of the bird's sexual maturity, it has atrophied and no longer functions."

 

[Guest]

Got ‘time-barred’ on edit on last post (81) which is incomplete. This is what I meant to put up:  

 

There is work published on Circovirus. An article appeared in the BHW a couple of years back.  

 

Early in the bird's life it can attack the Bursa of Fabricius leaving the immune system in theory physically able to do its job, but in practice without 'the chemical instructions' on how to go about it.

 

Copied from the earlier piece posted on the immune system:

 

"Bursa of Fabricius …is the source of antigen-producing B-lymphocytes ... At about the time of the bird's sexual maturity, it has atrophied and no longer functions."

 

The Thymus gland … programs …certain antigens. T-lymphocytes ..are the same as …B-lymphocytes, but are programmed in the Thymus rather than the Bursa. "

 

Antigens are chemical warriors educated & trained by the Bursa & Thymus to recognise an take out anything nasty in the bird’s body.

[ch pied]

hi if you see one bird with the so called YBS then you can bet the whole loft have it old birds to .but they have a stronger immune system and do not show  the same symptoms  no corn 48 hrs ,only grit and water with 1ml iodine to 3 ltrs. after 48 hrs rice or groats in small amounts twice daily also continue grit and iodine you should see the birds tighten up after 5 days . then up the feed to a light yb mixture  3days  .up the feed again 50% yb 50% w/hood this worked for me  no loft flying for 10 days  ..... and its AQUEOUS IODINE ....44 ybs in loft  lost 5 . 23 ob in loft lost 1 to the so called YBS  BEST OB/YB SEASON EVER 1995  LET THEM BUILD THEIR OWEN  IMMUNE SYSTEM BACK UP

[ch pied]

hi if you see one bird with the so called YBS then you can bet the whole loft have it old birds to .but they have a stronger immune system and do not show  the same symptoms  no corn 48 hrs ,only grit and water with 1ml iodine to 3 ltrs. after 48 hrs rice or groats in small amounts twice daily also continue grit and iodine you should see the birds tighten up after 5 days . then up the feed to a light yb mixture  3days  .up the feed again 50% yb 50% w/hood this worked for me  no loft flying for 10 days  ..... and its AQUEOUS IODINE ....44 ybs in loft  lost 5 . 23 ob in loft lost 1 to the so called YBS  BEST OB/YB SEASON EVER 1995  LET THEM BUILD THEIR OWEN  IMMUNE SYSTEM BACK UP

[Guest Big Blue]

WHAT IS THE BEST PRODUCT TO USE

[stevebelbin]

Ive used adenosan and that clears it up pretty quick  ;D, but also had to treat for cocci-canker etc

 

Also had my YBs on Trikonox this year and didnt seem to get YB sickness till I stopped using it for a month - so I put them back on it and they were fine after that  ;D

[Bilco]

Never seen anything faster than Xerek, and I don't say that because I discovered it. DAZER markets it at £5 a sachet, post free,  and it has the birds looking to go flying inside 4 hours.

[Roland]

Good to se you here William .. and I for one believe that to be the case... Pray answer e, how long does Xerek last till it has to be used?

The reason being that though I have never had Y/B's sickness, I feel a sachet or two of Xerek may well be a must to have on theshelf.

[REDCHEQHEN]

Good to se you here William .. and I for one believe that to be the case... Pray answer e, how long does Xerek last till it has to be used?

The reason being that though I have never had Y/B's sickness, I feel a sachet or two of Xerek may well be a must to have on theshelf.

 

I bought some 'just in case', and they come in foil sachets, there is no use by date, but would have thought they would be ok for a couple of years. Haven't had the need for them as yet, not had YBS either.

[Guest TAMMY_1]

Never seen anything faster than Xerek, and I don't say that because I discovered it. DAZER markets it at £5 a sachet, post free,  and it has the birds looking to go flying inside 4 hours.

 

I  have tried this product myself and found that it never made any difference at all to the birds,not saying it never worked for others just never helped me, the product i used that did work for me was a powder called Fural. this is the short name on the tub but has a longer one i can't remember

[seagull]

ive allways used nifamiycin best product arround

[john robo]

ive allways used nifamiycin best product arround

 

ive used this great product  ;D

hope to not use it next year

[nutverlal]

Hi

 

try using the aviform 7 in one.

 

works like a treat, but I use it on daily bases.

[Bilco]

Hi Roland and RCH (Molly ?),  Shelf life of Xerek is 5 years, just ensure it is kept dry, no nicks or tears in the foil sachet.  If it didn't work for Tammy_1 then it wasn't YB sickness, more likely some bacterial problem, the content of Fural is Furazolidone I suspect, which is excellent for gut complaints, but I thought that was off the market in UK ?

[Jeremy]

What does Xerek contain how does it work against YBS??? ;D

[Guest coxy]

is it not rite what i have heard tht cider vinegar can stop yb sickness??? theres and old fancier i knw tht uses it in the water and he aint had yb tht i knw of

[Bilco]

The content of "Xerek" is, as stated on the package, "Mixed Carbonates" - the actual Carbonates concerned and the percentages of each are a trade secret ! One that it does not have in it is Bicarbonate !   Apple Cider Vinegar won't cure YBS. I tried it myself over some weeks in varying dosages, it had no effect. The cause of YBS is fungal, in my opinion, and it comes from the corn I believe. I actually discovered the effect in Germany in the 1960's when I was reading up on a cure for Salmonellosis and/or E. Coli in a scientific paper from a cattle veterinarians association in the USA.  I then applied the scaled down dosages of what I believed was the correct mix of Carbonates to sick birds I had at that time. After altering the % twice I hit on the correct mix.  I kept the treatment to myself for 40 years until Colin McCarthy in Ebbw Vale old me he was packing up the sport due to YBS. I suggested he try the mix I would send him first, so he did, and stayed in the game. Then I conducted a field trial of 137 fanciers who had YBS and all but six (6) replied that it worked 100%, so I donated the formula to my old friend Richard Wylie of DAZER (UK) on condition the Fancy was not screwed on the price.  After manufacturing costs, emballagement in metal foil and advertising, it sells for £5 or less.  All of this was published in the BHW.

[Guest TAMMY_1]

Hi Roland and RCH (Molly ?),  Shelf life of Xerek is 5 years, just ensure it is kept dry, no nicks or tears in the foil sachet.  If it didn't work for Tammy_1 then it wasn't YB sickness, more likely some bacterial problem, the content of Fural is Furazolidone I suspect, which is excellent for gut complaints, but I thought that was off the market in UK ?

 

WOULD A BACTERIAL PROBLEM SHOW THE SAME SYMTOMS AS YBS,?    THE SYMPTOMS I HAD WERE BIRDS WOULD NOT FLY AND THEY WERE ALL BRINGING FOOD BACK UP IN THE NESTBOXES

[Bilco]

Yes.  Probably half a dozen or more causes would show the same symptoms, which is why it is important to be sure you know what you are treating, in order to use the correct cure.  "Gut" problems in general will react to Furazolidone medications, within reason. You mention nestboxes, were these OBs and not YBs?  Or did you mean perhaps box perches, and not nestboxes?

[Guest TAMMY_1]

Yes.  Probably half a dozen or more causes would show the same symptoms, which is why it is important to be sure you know what you are treating, in order to use the correct cure.  "Gut" problems in general will react to Furazolidone medications, within reason. You mention nestboxes, were these OBs and not YBs?  Or did you mean perhaps box perches, and not nestboxes?

 

SORRY WAS MEANING YOUNG BIRDS IN BOX PERCHES