Coccidiosis

[Guest CS]

Coccidiosis

 

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease that is widely distributed among pigeons throughout the world. Coccidia inhabit the small intestine of nearly all pigeons.

 

Pathogen:

Along with trichomonads, coccidia are the most commonly found protozoa in pigeons, occurring in the form of two eimeria species: E.labbeana and E.columbarum. Both species only infest pigeons. Coccidia form permanent stages (oocysts), which only become infective after maturing in the environment.

 

Course of disease:

Following ingestion of the oocysts, their subsequent developmental stages damage the intestinal wall. Within 4-7 days of infection, the pigeon starts to excrete oocysts again.

There are two forms of coccidiosis:

The asymptomatic (or subclinical) form occurs most frequently. After ingesting small quantities of oocysts for the first time, pigeons develop an immunity to infection due to stimulation of endogenous defence mechanisms, without visibly succumbing to the disease. With this protection, which is reinforced by constant ingestion of low levels of oocysts, the birds live in a kind of equilibrium with the parasites, which also protects them against severe intestinal disease.

The visible form of the disease with an acute course and severe generalised disturbance - true coccidiosis - occurs when still unprotected young pigeons become infected by ingesting large amounts of oocysts or when the immunity of older pigeons is reduced or broken down by stress factors.

 

Symptoms of the disease:

Asymptomatic form:

Infested birds appear healthy, albeit rather less lively. The droppings are sometimes rather soft.

Acute course:

Visibly affected pigeons produce malodorous, muco-aqueous, greenish and sometimes bloody diarrhoea. They are listless, have puffed-up plumage and drink profusely, with reduced feed intake.

 

Recognition of the disease:

Coccidial oocysts can be demonstrated by microscopic examination of faecal samples (prepared according to the flotation method).

Asymptomatic form:

Only a small quantity of oocysts is identified in the faeces (finding = +).

Acute form:

The contents of the gut reveal moderate (finding = ++) or severe (finding = +++) oocyst infestation.

 

Treatment:

Asymptomatic form:

Pigeons suspected of infection that show mild infestation are not treated, in order not to disturb the host-pathogen equilibrium.

Acute form:

Diseased pigeons are treated with chevi-kok. Treatment is supported by administration of multivitamin EB12 and the best possible diet.

 

Note:

chevi-kok can be administered during the moult. Development of feathers will not be disturbed.

 

 

 

 

Pulpy mucoid faeces at the start of an intestinal disorder caused by bacteria or parasite infestation.

 

[peterpau]

Er why ???????????????????

[Keepsmilingqueen]

whats the flotation method of microscopy ???

 

can anyone explain the slide prep procedure for me ??

 

thanx

sharron ;D

[REDCHEQHEN]

 

http://www.rattlesnakeridgeranch.com/fecal_exams.htm

 

its for rattle snakes,  ;D ;D but the method is much the same, and better described than I could !!  :B

 

where it says 'beans' substitute 'pigeon droppings'  LOL  ;D ;D

 

i DID HAVE A PAGE FOR PIGEONS BUT CAN'T FIND IT  :-/

 

 

[Guest CS]

Causes and Clinical Signs

Coccidiosis is due to a parasitic organism that affects the birds intestines.  Two types of coccidia affect pigeons, Eimeria columbanum and Eimeria labbeanna.  The clinical disease due to these organisms is identical.

 

Most adult birds are affected to some degree but only when large numbers of parasites are present is treatment necessary.

 

In young birds and adults under stress an acute form of the disease may be seen.  The organism affects the lining of the gut causing diarrhoea and blood may be present.  Affected birds are depressed, rapidly become emaciated and may die.

 

The Coccidia in the gut produce ‘Oocysts’, which are passed out in the faeces.  These mature in the environment and will then affect other birds if ingested.

 

 

 

Diagnosis

 

Microscopic examination of faeces is necessary to diagnose the disease in live birds.  As many birds have a low level of disease it is the number of Oocysts present which is important when arriving at a diagnosis.

 

The disease needs to be distinguished from Salmonellosis, Trichomoniasis, bacterial gut infections and worm infestation.

 

 

 

Treatment

 

Treatment for Coccidiosis will be dispensed by the veterinary surgeon as necessary.  Follow up medication with antibiotics or multi vitamins may also be beneficial.

 

  

 

Prevention

 

Good hygiene in the loft is essential, as is the provision of clean uncontaminated food and water.  If birds show signs of diarrhoea an Oocyst count would be advised. Routine faeces analysis before pairing is also recommended.

 

 

[Guest CS]

flick over with blow torch is one of the best disinfectants after treatment

[Guest TAMMY_1]

when this is term is used  for young birds , what is the cause of it and is there any cure / prevention for it , excepy for old dusty, or is this just something that crops up occasionally with young birds

[Wiley]

see this very rarely, but the old hands white sesquins do the trick

[barlbylofts]

are these ybs you have just weened or have they been in the yb loft for somtime

[Guest TAMMY_1]

are these ybs you have just weened or have they been in the yb loft for somtime

 

been in about a week or so

[jimmy white]

old fashioned term used  " going light" by pigeon men,, not such a disease. and covers a multitude of ailments,,,, but most common causes are cocci, or worms or canker ,,or the dreaded e, coli , yb sickness , usually when they get to that stage they suffer from secondry infections also,, this can be common in the odd yb   when they are just building up their immunity,, and have never found any yb that has been "cured" of a set back,, to be of any good .only my opinion.

[Guest]

Think if they are newly in, then they are 'going back'. Basically don't eat or drink enough to sustain themselves and fall for everything they come up against in the new loft / section. Have always considered the few birds I've had go back a danger to the rest and removed them.

 

Agree with Jimmy on going light - something like YBS - just a name for a combination of things that causes serious illness in the bird.

 

 

[Guest Paulo]

Worms perhaps with Yb's

[Guest TAMMY_1]

Think if they are newly in, then they are 'going back'. Basically don't eat or drink enough to sustain themselves and fall for everything they come up against in the new loft / section. Have always considered the few birds I've had go back a danger to the rest and removed them.

 

Agree with Jimmy on going light - something like YBS - just a name for a combination of things that causes serious illness in the bird.

 

 

DONE!!!

[me]

 

DONE!!!

 

You probably have been! I would have tried a sulpha drug for a few days i.e. 3 to 5 to see what progress was made. Put it this way it would have helped to sort cocci and to certain extent e-coli so it would have pointed you in the right direction one way or the other as to what was troubling your bird Tammy.

 

If it was cocci or e-coli it will probaly revisit anyway. Depends on the age of your youngsters if they are all eating and drinking well it would have been worth a try and I can confirm that one bird I owned who most people would have said was "going light" lived to tell the tale and did well. The reason most birds who have a set back don''t do well is because most birds don''t do well