Mycoplasma

[Guest CS]

Causes and Clinical Signs

 

Mycoplasma infection is endemic in the pigeon population and the majority of pigeons will be affected by the organism.  The Mycoplasma organism is bacteria-like in many of its properties and for diagnostic purposes it can be cultured on a special media in the laboratory.  Stress conditions favour the developments of the clinical disease in birds. The principle clinical finding is one of catarrh and initially there is a clear nasal discharge which in time becomes thicker due to the presence of pus.  Affected birds may breath through open beaks and clear rattles and wheezes may be detected when the bird is examined.  The disease appears to lower the bird’s resistant to other disease and chronic infection can markedly affect performance due to respiratory problems.

 

Internally the air sacs can be seen to be affected and secondary bacterial infections can occur at this site.

 

 

 

Diagnosis

 

The clinical presence of catarrh together with respiratory sounds are highly suggestive of this condition.  Reduced performance in an otherwise healthy bird may also suggest that Mycoplasma is present. Post mortem examination shows typical signs in the respiratory system and the organism can be cultured in the laboratory.

 

 

 

Treatment

 

Suitable antibiotic medication with Enrofloxacin, Tilmicosin, Tetracyclines, Tylosin or Tylamulin is effective against uncomplicated cases of Mycoplasmosis.  These antibiotics may be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon where their use is indicated by the presence of disease.

 

 

 

Prevention

 

The disease spreads rapidly from pigeon to pigeon. Prevention is very difficult as birds mix with birds from other lofts during the racing and show season.  Eradication for any length of time is hence virtually impossible.  The organism is easily killed by most disinfectants used to clean lofts.

 

In lofts where the disease is known or suspected to be clinically present strategic use of suitable antibiotics at times of stress may be recommended by a veterinary surgeon, e.g. when young birds are being raised and at the end of the racing season.

 

 

[Guest]

This in my oppinion is the bigest thing to stop a bird from reaching its full potential in raceing short term cure sleepsonal or cyder vinagar up the nose realy dont think there is a long term cure as the birds will mix with others the following week

[Guest]

I was puzzled by the claim that it is endemic in the pigeon population, yet haven't heard any of these symptoms being described by members on this forum?

 

How common is the disease here, endemic only in the Southern Hemisphere perhaps?

 

[Guest]

No its rife here Bruno jus doesnt show ovoius sighns the thing to look for is a bird that is bred right trained right and looked after right and all other aspects should put up a reasonable performance is say 10/15 min behind the pace that is in my mind a candate for mycoplasma infection