http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/ http://www.eblah.com en http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1225728299/ http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1225728299/#num1 start to breed next month

   thanks
]]> Mon, 3 Nov 2008 17:04:59 jack http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1224957879/ http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1224957879/#num1
Ps I have enclosed two pictures of one of the birds with the problem. The majority of the birds are showing the same symptoms. ]]> Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:04:39 rasbull http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1224529226/ http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1224529226/#num1 just thought i would post this for any new starter or any old hand


1) Canker – Trichomoniasis
Causes and Clinical Signs
Canker is due to a parasitic organism called Trichomonas colombi and three forms are recognised affecting the pharynx, navel and internal organs respectively.  The majority of adult pigeons are symptomless carriers of the organism but clinical cases may occur if the bird is under stress and in young pigeons the disease may be severe and even fatal.  The disease is spread from adults to squabs in the crop milk and between pigeons by the oral route.
  

A.     Pharyngeal Form
Cheesy yellow deposits are seen on the membranes of the pharynx at the back of the mouth.  The deposits can affect food intake and also breathing.  Severely affected birds are depressed, food intake is reduced and they become emaciated.  Affected birds may have diarrhoea.  Water intake may increase.
  

B.      Navel Form
This form occurs in young birds that are affected in the nest box from affected crop milk dripping onto the nest box floor.  A typical cheesy yellow deposit is present under the skin at the navel and it may spread from here to the internal organs.
  

C.      Internal Form
The internally affected organs include liver, crop and lung in which the cheesy yellow deposits may be found.  The clinical signs of the internal form vary depending upon the organ involved but usually diarrhoea and emaciation are a feature of this condition.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis has to be based on the clinical signs in the living birds.  Samples of crop smears are positive in the majority of adult birds and diagnosis is dependent on the number of organisms present.  Post mortem examination of cadavers will give a positive diagnosis of the internal form.  The disease needs to be distinguished from Pox, Tuberculosis, Aspergillosis and Salmonellosis.
  

Treatment
Dimetridazole is very effective against Trichomonas.  All susceptible and in contact birds would be treated for a period of seven days.  In some a broad-spectrum antibiotic or multi vitamin may be recommended.
  

Prevention  
No flock can be permanently kept free of this organism. Due to its severity in young birds we recommend a treatment of all birds at the end of the flying season and the treatment of adults for a period of five to seven days after egg laying and before the squabs are hatched.
    


2) Coccidiosis
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.
    


3) External Parasites
Causes and Clinical signs
Ticks, mites and lice can all live on the body of pigeons and will cause damage of varying degrees depending on the type and severity of infestation.  
Anaemia, feather damage, respiratory problems (air sac mites) and poor growth in young birds may all result from external parasite infestation.  
Some external parasites spend their whole life cycle on the bird and spread is by direct bird to bird contact e.g. mange mites, plumage lice, feather mites, quill mites and scaly leg mites.  Other parasites spend most of their time in the environment only visiting the pigeon to feed e.g. red mites and ticks.
  

Diagnosis
Ticks are common during the warm summer months and are visible to the naked eye.  Mites are very small and can rarely be seen by the naked eye.  If infestation is suspected samples need to be submitted to the laboratory for microscopical examination.  
Lice are just visible to the naked eye – if in doubt their presence can be confirmed by microscopic examination.  
The red mite spends it days in cracks and crevices of the pigeon loft only visiting the pigeon at night to feed.  
Where cases of anaemia or reduced performance and agitation are obvious in birds external parasites should be suspected and regular visual inspection of the birds should be undertaken to identify the presence of ticks and lice.
  

Treatment
Treatment of birds with a parasiticide together with a thorough cleaning and disinfection of premised is necessary where external parasites cause problems.  
External parasites are a particular problem to young birds. Thorough cleaning of the loft before the breeding season together with any treatment of the birds if examination shows them to be infected would be recommended.
  

Prevention
Regular cleaning and disinfection of the loft will help control the population of external parasites.



4) Ornithosis
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.
    


5) Paramyxovirus
Causes and Clinical Signs
Paramyxovirus infection is due to a virus known as PMV3.  Affected birds will at first have an increased thirst and will pass liquid faces - this may be followed by nervous signs.  The nervous signs seen include paralysis, torsion of the neck and uncoordinated body movements – not all these signs will necessarily occur in each affected bird.  
  

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based largely on the clinical signs and it can be confirmed by blood tests. The disease needs to be differentiated from Salmonellosis, other causes of wet droppings and other causes of nervous signs including poisoning.
  

Treatment
As this condition is due to a virus no specific treatment is available.  Antibiotics and multi vitamins may be used if the birds are under stress.
  

Prevention
As treatment of Paramyxovirus is unrewarding due to the absence of useful antiviral agents, prevention of this disease is very important.  There are vaccines licensed for use in pigeons in the U.K.
  

Timing of Vaccination
The best time to vaccinate young birds is during the last two weeks of March and the first week of April.  The young birds should be at least 3 weeks old and vaccination should be complete 10 to 14 days before the onset of the old-bird racing season.  This will prevent infection of susceptible young birds by virus mechanically brought back to the loft by the older birds.  If vaccination cannot be completed before the old bird racing season then young birds must be kept separate from the older birds and vaccination must be completed 10 to 14 days before the start of the young-bird racing season.  The best time to vaccinate older birds is during November and December before the start of the laying season.  
Vaccines are given subcutaneously in the midline of the neck with the needle towards the tail of the bird.  Great care must be taken to keep the needles, bottles etc as clean as possible.  Needles should be changed after every ten birds or more often if they become contaminated.  Take care in disposing of used needles; they should be returned to the practice in a solid container so that they can be disposed of correctly.  Any post vaccine reaction in the bird should be reported immediately to the veterinary surgeon.
    


6) Poisoning
Causes and Clinical Signs
Poisoning in pigeons can be due to a wide variety of products hence the clinical signs can vary greatly but they are likely to include nervous signs, diarrhoea, depression and sudden death. Poisoning may be from substances encountered away from the loft e.g. Organo Phosphorous compounds or substances found around the loft e.g. Phenolic compounds, vermin baits and veterinary medicines used incorrectly. Where poisoning is suspected then any dead birds together with a full clinical history should be submitted to the practice.




7) Pox
Causes and Clinical Signs
Pigeon pox is caused by a virus infecting the bare skin around the eyes, on the beak, on the feet and internally within the mouth and throat area.  On occasions infection of a wound on a feathered area of the body can occur.  
The lesions are typically scabby in appearance with pus often being present due to secondary bacterial infection.  
The internal form can be so severe that feeding and breathing are affected to the point that death occurs.  Lesions typically occur 4 to 14 days after initial infection and may be present for several weeks.  
Diagnosis
This is based on the clinical signs – the internal form affecting the mouth and throat may need a laboratory diagnosis to confirm this condition.  
The disease needs to be differentiated from canker with which the mouth form could easily be confused, and from Candida infection caused by a fungal infection of the mouth.
  

Treatment
As with paramyxo this condition is due to a virus and no specific treatment is available.  Antibiotics may be used under veterinary direction to combat secondary infections and multi vitamins may be of benefit in some birds during the recovery phase.
  

Prevention
As no specific treatment is available the prevention of the disease by vaccination is very important.  
All birds over six weeks old should be vaccinated and vaccination should be done in all birds at the same time.  Annual re-vaccination should be done between the 30th September and the 31st December each year.  If birds are vaccinated at any other time of the year it is important that they are withheld from racing for a period of six weeks after vaccination.  
Vaccination of young birds in Spring would be advised in lofts where pigeon pox is endemic.    
The pox virus is very resistant and will remain infective for many months.  It can be transmitted by biting flies and other insects.  As a result good loft hygiene is important in the control of the disease.  
  

  

Mycoplasma
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.
    


9) Salmonellosis  
Causes and Clinical Signs
Salmonellosis is caused by a bacterial infection and a number of different strains of Salmonella are capable of causing disease in pigeons.  
The disease is particularly severe in young birds and can be introduced into a loft by an apparently healthy carrier bird that can excrete the organism in faeces or saliva but which shows no clinical signs of disease itself.  Young birds can be affected from crop milk or affected faeces.  Salmonellae most commonly affect the intestinal tract.  Affected birds have enteritis which may be blood stained, they are depressed, rapidly become dehydrated and emaciated and death quickly follows if they are not treated.  
It is possible for Salmonellae to enter the blood stream and a generalised infection will result.  On post mortem examination the organism can be recovered from various body organs.  
In addition to the two forms of Salmonella recorded above cases are seen where the organism localises in one or more joints.  Affected joints are swollen and painful and movement of the joint is lost due to the pain involved.  If the organism localised in the brain nervous signs will be seen depending upon the area of brain involved.
  

Diagnosis
Laboratory testing is required to confirm a diagnosis of Salmonellosis.  Positive cases must be reported to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) under the Zoonosis order.  The disease needs to be differentiated from other causes of diarrhoea (viruses, other bacteria, parasites etc) injury to the joint and other causes of nervous signs including Paramyxo-virus and poisoning.  
Where dead birds are available for post mortem examination cultures from the birds should determine whether or not the organism is present.   In live birds faecal and mouth swabs may detect the organism but as birds can be intermittent excreters a single negative result does not definitely preclude the presence of Salmonella.
  

Note:
Most strains of Salmonella can cause disease in man.  This can be very serious in the young, old and debilitated.  Strict personal hygiene after handling birds and loft equipment and before eating /smoking is therefore essential.
  

Prevention.
Isolate newly introduced birds and if there is any doubt have faeces and mouth swabs cultured for Salmonella.  
Good loft hygiene will reduce spread within the loft and where a loft is known to be affected then an eradication and control programme, which will depend upon conditions in the loft and facilities etc., needs to be agreed with the attending veterinary surgeon.
    


10) Worms
Causes and Clinical Signs.
Worms are intestinal parasites that can affect birds of all ages but due to some degree of resistance in older birds the more extreme clinical signs are more commonly seen in the younger birds.  
In mild infestations clinical signs may not be obvious.  Weight gain in young birds may be adversely affected and in more severe infestations diarrhoea, depression and loss of condition, even emaciation, may be obvious, as may anaemia.  
Two types of worms affect pigeons, Roundworms and Tapeworms.  Both large and small Roundworms will inhabit the bird’s intestine and these worms pass their eggs into the gut and these are voided by the pigeon in its faeces.  In the environment these eggs develop and are then ingested by the other pigeons.  
Tapeworms require ‘intermediate hosts’ and these include snails, slugs and insects.  Within these creatures the eggs develop and when swallowed by a pigeon another mature Tapeworm can develop.  


Diagnosis.
In the live bird worm egg counts on faeces are a reliable indication of the level of infestation.  Visual and microscopic examination of gut contents can identify worms post mortem.
  

Treatment.
Either water or food medication is available to treat for roundworms, treatment for Tapeworms is not as easy.  
We recommend that all birds in a loft are wormed at the end of the racing season and again before pairing and at other times when egg counts show worming to be necessary.
  

Prevention.
Regular removal of faeces from the loft (every other day) is recommended as is the control of insects that may be intermediate hosts of the Tapeworm.  
A programme of regular worm egg counts should be started and birds treated when the counts show this to be necessary.  
Routine treatment of birds after the flying season and before pairing will help reduce the worm burden for young birds.
    


11) Haemophillus.
Cause and Clinical Signs.
Birds infected with Haemophillus bacteria suffer from a severe conjunctivitis, which affects both eyes.  In this condition the eyelids are markedly swollen and there is purulent discharge.  
Affected birds often show respiratory signs due to infection of the upper respiratory tract.  
The disease spreads by direct contact and droplet infection from one bird to another.
  

Diagnosis.
Diagnosis is on clinical signs and laboratory culture from the eyes or nasal discharge.
  

Treatment.
As this is a bacterial infection a suitable antibiotic such as a Tetracycline can be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon once the disease has been confirmed.
  

Prevention.
Isolation of suspect infected birds together with a correct diagnosis and suitable treatment is necessary to prevent the rapid spread of this condition in a loft once an infected bird is present.

did any one no lose of weight in ornithose




Ornithose Complex: Part 1 - Chlamydia

Signs: conjunctivitis, decreased performance, respiratory difficulty, fluffed, anorexia.

Transmission: ingestion or inhalation.

Pathology: swollen liver, grotty air sacs, sinus infection.

Diagnosis: Clearview Test, Chlamydia culture, Special stains.

Treatment: reduce dust, eliminate wet litter, Psittavet powder in water.



Ornithose Complex: Part 2 - Pasteurella

Signs: nasal discharge, eye wiping, swollen sinus, occasionally a head tilt.

Transmission: direct contact, faecal contamination, inhalation.

Pathology: swollen liver and spleen, diarrhoea, sinusitis.

Diagnosis: culture of slit, post mortem samples.

Treatment: Psittavet powder, Trimethoprim Sulfa powder.



Ornithose Complex: Part 3 - Mycoplasma

Signs: nasal and eye discharge, chronic sinusitis, eye wiping.

Transmission: inhalation, ingestion, lifelong carrier state.

Pathology: mild airsac infection. Often underlying other disease conditions

Diagnosis: special cultures from choanal slit.

Treatment: Spectovet powder and Psittavet powder.



Salmonella:

Signs: increased drinking, increased water output. Difficulty breathing. Fluffed. Dead in shell and dead at hatch, dying young birds, joint infections (eg: one wing droop, one leg lameness ).

Transmission: faecal contamination of feed and water, semen, ovary and egg shell transmission.

Pathology: pus in joints, liver and spleen congestion.

Diagnosis: cultures of faeces, gut, organs, joint fluid.

Treatment: Antibiotics based on cultures or Trimethoprim Sulfa combinations. Cull any bird with joint disease. Increase level of hygiene.



E.coli:

Signs: slimy green mucoid droppings, fluffed, anorexia, odd death, nasal discharge, squab deaths, weight loss, poor performance.

Transmission: ingestion, inhalation, through egg.

Pathology: swollen liver and spleen, enteritis, some air sac infection.

Diagnosis: culture of liver, vent, lungs, gut.

Treatment: based on culture results. Treatment may not be necessary if management is improved. E.coli. is often secondary to viral infections.



Candida:

Signs: mouth inflammation, crop inflammation and thickening, enteritis, delayed crop emptying.

Transmission: in population all the time, secondary to other factors, regurgitative feeding.

Pathology: thickened crop, smelly crop contents, weight loss.

Diagnosis: yeast bodies seen in smears from crop, gut or faeces.

Treatment: Aviclens ( flock ), Nystatin( individuals ).



Trichomonas:

Signs: mild strains - erosion of the “curtain”, mild throat inflammation severe strains- “wet canker”, cankers in the throat and nostrils. Possible cankers( abscesses ) at navel, vent and eyes. Very smelly breath, dehydration, weakness, breathing difficulties, weight loss, death.

Transmission: regurgitative feeding, faecal contamination of water.

Pathology: “curtain” erosion, cankers ( abscesses) in throat, on skin, in liver etc.

Diagnosis: microscopic examination of crop contents or throat swab.

Treatment: Ronivet 4 Pigeons. Given in drinking water, administered directly to crop or powder applied directly to cankers in throat.



Coccidia:

Signs: signs usually limited to juveniles - slow race performance, anorexia, weight loss, excessive urine output, dehydration

Transmission: faecal contamination of food and water.

Pathology: enteritis in young birds.

Diagnosis: dropping examination.

Treatment: Coccivet in water. Improve hygiene and prevent recontamination.



Note: all these common pigeon diseases use dropping contamination or inhalation as a major way of spreading. Reducing faecal load in the loft and maintaining water and air purity are the best ways to prevent the diseases affecting the flock.]]> Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:00:26 frank1 http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1224083711/ http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1224083711/#num1 either by mail order or a shop in london   vic]]> Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:15:11 vics1950 http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1218381705/ http://forum.pigeonbasics.com/m-1218381705/#num1
Ive found mites on 1 of my birds the rest are ok it's a yb in the nest 3 weeks old parent birds no mites now any other birds in loft
]]> Sun, 10 Aug 2008 17:21:45 jimmy_84