[sinlia]

Hello,

I've read that pigeons usually are contagious for up to 6-7 weeks after infection with PMV. There is very little data on it so I wanted to hear other people's experiences.

I rescued a pigeon on November 12th in 2022. At the beginning of January I did a PMV test and it came back positive with very high antibody count (>1/256), the vet said that it means the virus is currently active. She must have gotten infected on the streets, so at that point it must have been almost 8 weeks since infection.

At the end of February I did another test because I wanted her to be with one of my other pigeons, but of course I wanted to make sure she'S not contagious anymore.

The result came back and it had the same high antibody count. The vet said that resources say that they are contagious up to 7 weeks but it's possible she's still contagious, but I also read that high antibodies doesn't equal being contagious?

It's been 4 months now since she got infected, she's doing well besides that she doesn't fly anymore and is a bit clumsy, everything else is perfect, she seems happy and healthy.

At this point should I still be worried or would it be okay to have her around other birds?

Thank you!

 

[Marina B]

Did the vet say the antibody count reduces when they are not infectious anymore? I've also read 6 to 8 weeks isolation is necessary. The virus gets shed in the droppings and saliva. Put him in a seperate cage away from the others so that they can view each other from a distance.

 

[sinlia]

Did the vet say the antibody count reduces when they are not infectious anymore? I've also read 6 to 8 weeks isolation is necessary. The virus gets shed in the droppings and saliva. Put him in a seperate cage away from the others so that they can view each other from a distance.

she said there isn't enough research to answer that question. research says the virus runs its course in 7 weeks so then they shouldn't be contagious anymore. having high antibodies doesn't necessarily mean they are contagious, it just means they recently got in contact with the virus...
But I read in one study pigeons were shedding the virus for more than 6 months... every other resource says 6-8 weeks...