Ornithosis

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Ornithosis

Ornithosis is an infectious disease that affects many bird species worldwide. It can also be transmitted to humans and other mammals. In Germany, ornithosis is a notifiable disease in pigeons.

 

Pathogen:

Chlamydia psittaci. Chlamydia are small, non-motile micro-organisms that invade cells parasitically. Infection occurs via inhalation of stirred-up dust containing the pathogen, uptake of faecally contaminated feed or water, or else billing or feeding of squabs.

 

Symptoms of the disease:

Ornithosis occurs in 2 forms:

 

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The acute form can be recognised in young pigeons from: wheezing noises, uni- or bilateral conjunctivitis and muco-aqueous enteritis with diarrhoea .

 

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The chronic form is more often found in adult birds, which, however, show few or no signs of the disease. Pigeons that have recovered are a dangerous source of infection for young pigeons and for humans due to their latent shedding of the pathogen.

 

 

Recognition of the disease:

The disease can be demonstrated in dead pigeons by microscopic examination of a smear or impression ("klatsch") preparation of spleen, liver, conjunctiva or air sac that has first been stained using the method according to Stamp. In live birds, the pathogen is demonstrated in faeces, via a sink dab from the cloaca, or alternatively by serological identification of specific antibodies.

 

 

 

Treatment:

Flocks are treated with chlortetracyclin+, which has been successfully used for many years to control ornithosis. In order to maintain effective blood levels, administration of chlortetracyclin+ must not be interrupted during the 25-day treatment period.

 

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.

Remove bath water.

 

Severe unilateral inflammation of the entire eye which has become additionally infected with pusforming pathogens.

 

Breathing with half-open beak: In ornithosis this is oberved if air sacs and lungs are affected.

 

 

When do members treat and what brand of medication do you use?

 

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Causes and Clinical Signs

 

Ornithosis is due to a micro-organism called Clamydia.  It is susceptible to antibiotics like bacteria but lives within and destroys body cells like a virus.

 

Clinical signs vary from poor performance to an acute disease causing a marked conjunctivitis, decreased appetite, respiratory disease, diarrhoea and death.

 

The acute form is particularly prevalent in young birds and older birds under stress.  In some cases the conjunctivitis can lead to secondary bacteria infection of the eye resulting in blindness.  Recovered birds are likely to carry the disease and subsequently spread it to other pigeons.

 

 

 

Diagnosis

 

Diagnosis of this disease in the live bird is difficult and must rely heavily on the clinical symptoms present.  Blood tests will identify birds that have been exposed to the organism but are not a good indication of the present disease status.

 

Where dead birds are available, samples from the liver or spleen can give a positive diagnosis in the laboratory.  The disease needs to be distinguished from Mycoplasma infection, Haemophylus infection and “One Eyed Cold”.

 

 

 

NOTE

 

There is a very real danger of this infection being transmitted to man.  Pigeon fanciers who suffer from a prolonged flu-like disease are recommended to consult their doctor who should be aware of their contact with pigeons.  Where cases are diagnosed in pigeons the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) must be informed.

 

 

 

Treatment

 

Due to the danger of human infection, the risk to young birds and the fact that chronically infected birds are more prone to other diseases, the treatment of affected birds with Chlortetracycline for an adequate period is essential.  Treatment lengths of 30 to 60 days would be recommended.  The use of multi vitamin may also be advised.

 

 

 

Prevention

 

No specific measures are available to prevent the condition.  Try to maintain birds in good bodily condition and make sure the loft is regularly cleaned and disinfected.  If the disease is suspected veterinary advice should be sought.