Help my friends pigeons are dieing

[singing birdy]

My friend just got some birds about 3 weeks ago and about 4 days ago one died first she started rolling her head and eyes around and stubling around the cage and the same thing happend to another one of her birds yesterday please help before it happens again!


thanks,
carley

[maryco]

I am sorry to hear about your bird that died..

Maybe the other bird has PMV-1. birds will show "twisted neck" symptoms, many die.

Just a thought, i hope someone else more knowledgable can help you.

I hope there is still time to help these birds!

[WhiteWingsCa]

unfortunately, I agree with Mary...sounds like PMV. Or, it could be Paratyphoid. Both are very serious conditions.

Check out these sites, and see if anything seems similar to what your friend's birds are doing:
http://www.comanco.com/understa.htm
http://www.mainebiolab.com/text/7807list.html http://www.boglinmarsh.fsnet.co.uk/azdis1.htm http://www.malystryx.com/PMV1.htm
http://www.chevita.com/tauben/e-index3.html

Unfortunately if it is PMV, the only thing to do is let the disease run it's course, and hope that some of the birds survive.

[raynjudy]

While it's true that you cannot treat a virus, you can treat any secondary bacterial infections that take advantage of a compromised immune system. There are no guaranties...

If it is paratyphoid, a/k/a salmonellosis, it can be treated. Again, no guaranties.

In either case, the antibiotic of choice is Baytril. Each bird should be dosed by tablet or liquid, under the direction of a vet. If a vet is not available, you can get Baytril from one of the on-line suppliers. Ask Fred or one of our experienced members about dosing adult birds. Be sure to finish the full course of antibiotic.

I would also begin adding one tsp of plain, generic chlorine bleach, to each gallon of drinking water in the loft, and change that water daily.

If you go with treating the water with antibiotic, do NOT add the bleach until the treatment is completed.

--Ray

[iffan]

Hi,
Yes it would be good to add bleach to the water to help prevent further spreading of any disease. Whichever birds has the sypmtoms isolate them from the rest of the flock , giving them a course of baytril should help with any secondary infections if it is PMV that is affecting the birds. And if it is PMV, vaccinating them now may be too late so make sure that they are eating an drink, if not force feed and water them, they should get better but will be carriers of the disease. If it is something else like parathypoid or ornithosis, baytril is a good choice but it might be best to use a tetracycline drug if it is ornithosis, and if you do use it dont let the birds have access to grit.
Hope this helps,
Jim

[iffan]

opps, forgot to ask are the birds light and are they eating and drinking on their own, if so it could be just worms, check the poop to see if its green or runny or smelly, if so use some type of antibiotic
Jim

[turkey]

Originally posted by iffan:
...And if it is PMV,...
, they should get better but will be carriers of the disease.

Jim,

Are you saying they will never get rid of the disease? They will be contagious for the rest of their lives? Just curious.

Julie

[WhiteWingsCa]

To the best of my limited knowledge, birds who have had PMV are NOT carriers after they recover.

However, birds that have had PARATYHOID can be. Both diseases have that "twisted neck" symtom, so can be easily mistaken for one another.

PMV is a virus, so the disease itself cannot be treated with antibiotics. However, as some have already mentioned, secondary infections often occur, which ARE treatable.

Paratyhoid is a bacteria, and is treatable with antibiotics. Also, in some areas, if the health department finds that you have ParaT in your loft, they can take steps from either quarantine of the loft, to destruction of the birds AND loft, depending on the area you are in.

[singing birdy]

Thank you so much for the usefull info I'll look this stuff up

thanks again,
carley

if you have any more info please email me at carleydove@msn.com

[iffan]

Hello,
You didnt answer back about the appearance of the poop, let me just say that if its clear them it might be PMV, if not then treat with a antibiotic. I also forgot to include last time that if it is PMV it might be good to vaccinate the other birds, and the disease should halt. For the infected birds, feed and water them , and they should be fine in a month or two, then you may vaccinate them. Julie, i meant they will be carriers if you dont vaccinate birds that have recovered.
Hope this helps,
Jim