Vaccines And Vaccinations

[Guest white flight ZA]

white flight ZA - Vaccinations are they are optional and do they affect racing performance? Can anyone conclude otherwise?

 

The first recommended vaccination is round about the time of weaning and is for the very destructive Paramyxo virus using PMV 1 vaccine (Nobilis). About 6 weeks later it is recommended a booster be given using a different vaccine.

 

The next vaccination is for Pigeon Pox and can be done about ten days after the 1st PMV 1 vaccination using an avian pox vaccine.

 

All of the above MUST be done at least six weeks before the racing program commences, which would then suggest they affect racing performance?

 

The next vaccination, which can be optional, is against a bacteria, paratyphoid. However, caution is advised here and the pigeons must be treated with an antibiotic (eg. Altabactine, Chloramphenicol) for at least 5 days prior to the use of the vaccine. Is it necessary if no typhoid is present? Only an examination of the faeces will show this in most cases.

 

I would pose the question then: Can we conclude that to have a successful racing season these vaccinations must be done and in this sequence?

[Guest IB]

I'm sure you will get a variety of opinions / advice on this one.

 

Paramyxo is the only compulsory vaccine for racing pigeons (in the UK at least). We carry this out annually as per manufacturers' instructions - both of whom say a booster is only required annually.

 

The others are 'fanciers choice'.

 

Salmonella is an intracellular bacteria, and in my opinion unlikely to show up in birds droppings. Droppings have been 'clear' while infection is still present within the birds body.

[Guest white flight ZA]

I'm sure you will get a variety of opinions / advice on this one.

 

Paramyxo is the only compulsory vaccine for racing pigeons (in the UK at least). We carry this out annually as per manufacturers' instructions - both of whom say a booster is only required annually.

 

The others are 'fanciers choice'.

 

Salmonella is an intracellular bacteria, and in my opinion unlikely to show up in birds droppings. Droppings have been 'clear' while infection is still present within the birds body.

[Guest white flight ZA]

Thanks for your response! Yes, in our country (South Africa) Paramyxo vaccinations are also compulsory. Salmonella can be detected if faecal collections are done over a period of 5 days - daily collections are kept in the refrigerator until they can be analised. My concern is the avian pox or "pigeon pox" which we fanciers had in S.A this year. Pigeons that were vaccinated came down (with lesions) intermittently throughout the racing season with pox! I initiated this post to see if anyone wcould respond to this aspect as it impacted on loft performances for part of the season in some lofts here. The sorry part is that the bird first develops a fever before showing any outward signs of infection. You then wonder why the bird returned late or disappeared? We also then question the efficacy of the vaccine used and the number of "takes" - did the vaccine work? A survey conducted here by the main supplier of the vaccine showed that their product was not to blame but the modes of transport of the vaccine,i.e. cold chain not broken, method of vaccination, i.e. follicle method could all play a part in the success of the vaccination. Nontheless, you refer to this as "fancier's choice" in the UK - perhaps others on the forum have used another vaccine for the same purpose with results and success. I certainly do not want to experience another interrupted racing season with "sick birds!"

[Rentenier]

Thanks for your response! Yes, in our country (South Africa) Paramyxo vaccinations are also compulsory. Salmonella can be detected if faecal collections are done over a period of 5 days - daily collections are kept in the refrigerator until they can be analised. My concern is the avian pox or "pigeon pox" which we fanciers had in S.A this year. Pigeons that were vaccinated came down (with lesions) intermittently throughout the racing season with pox! I initiated this post to see if anyone wcould respond to this aspect as it impacted on loft performances for part of the season in some lofts here. The sorry part is that the bird first develops a fever before showing any outward signs of infection. You then wonder why the bird returned late or disappeared? We also then question the efficacy of the vaccine used and the number of "takes" - did the vaccine work? A survey conducted here by the main supplier of the vaccine showed that their product was not to blame but the modes of transport of the vaccine,i.e. cold chain not broken, method of vaccination, i.e. follicle method could all play a part in the success of the vaccination. Nontheless, you refer to this as "fancier's choice" in the UK - perhaps others on the forum have used another vaccine for the same purpose with results and success. I certainly do not want to experience another interrupted racing season with "sick birds!"

 

make your own vaccine for pigeon pox. Take a scab and place it in 10 ml distilled water and use it after a while.

[Roland]

I'm sure you will get a variety of opinions / advice on this one.

 

Paramyxo is the only compulsory vaccine for racing pigeons (in the UK at least). We carry this out annually as per manufacturers' instructions - both of whom say a booster is only required annually.

 

The others are 'fanciers choice'.

 

Salmonella is an intracellular bacteria, and in my opinion unlikely to show up in birds droppings. Droppings have been 'clear' while infection is still present within the birds body.

 

Yes I.B. varied and interesting are the whims of Paramyxo jabs. Karl Franks and other vets have taken the view of some continental vets and jab 3 TIMES in first 6 months of birth. Indeed this is very popular in Canada and many other countries.

Another sauce, a very knowledgeable fancier - whom travels worldwide in gleaning every ounce of knowledge and birds - related a very true story regards 'Why do they need boosters'?

He had inoculated some youngsters that were bred for stock. So he never bother with any booster as they stayed only in his loft and were not raced.

At the age of 7 years he sold some to an Australian fancier for his 'Stud' etc.

They were refused entry as the 'Paramyxo Jabs' done 7 years earlier showed up. Yes as Paramyxo etc.

[Guest Owen]

I used to think that the paratyphoid jab was essential but I have changed my mind these days. There are two problems as I see it. The first one is, that I am not convinced that it is possible to obtain the correct vaccines to actually target the disease organisms that we actually need. I think it can be done if you have the disease in the flock by employing the help of a Lab where they will identify the vaccine needed. I am reasonably sure that the vaccines sold for general use are a wast of money and can cause you to run the risk of damaging the birds for no good reason. The other problem is the fact that the bacteria can hide away in the germ cells of the bird, according to some informed sources, only to emerge later to cause major damage by spreading through the flock.

I recognise that this disease is always likely to crop up so I have chosen to treat the birds with antibiotics in the Autumn in an attempt to clear the birds' system of disease to give then a clean start before the breeding season starts. As I understand it, this is the solution that a lot of the Belgium Fanciers have adopted, with success, for some time now. It is worth noting that I have not seen any sign of the disease in my birds for some years.

[lanarkshire lad]

I used to think that the paratyphoid jab was essential but I have changed my mind these days. There are two problems as I see it. The first one is, that I am not convinced that it is possible to obtain the correct vaccines to actually target the disease organisms that we actually need. I think it can be done if you have the disease in the flock by employing the help of a Lab where they will identify the vaccine needed. I am reasonably sure that the vaccines sold for general use are a wast of money and can cause you to run the risk of damaging the birds for no good reason. The other problem is the fact that the bacteria can hide away in the germ cells of the bird, according to some informed sources, only to emerge later to cause major damage by spreading through the flock.

I recognise that this disease is always likely to crop up so I have chosen to treat the birds with antibiotics in the Autumn in an attempt to clear the birds' system of disease to give then a clean start before the breeding season starts. As I understand it, this is the solution that a lot of the Belgium Fanciers have adopted, with success, for some time now. It is worth noting that I have not seen any sign of the disease in my birds for some years.

Can you tell us which Antibiotic you are using?

[Guest Owen]

There are two suitable antibiotics as far as I am concerned. Baytril or Amoxyciline. I prefer the Amoxyciline because I think that Baytril is much too hard on the birds.