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SOME COMMON AVIAN DISEASES
(updated May 2016)
Ornithosis/Chlamydiosis / Psittacosis (Chlamydophila psittaci)
This disease is caused by Chlamydia psittaci.
Transmission
Elementary bodies (infective parts of the organism) are commonly found in the loft. They are found on feather dust (bloom), dried faeces, loft surfaces and in respiratory system discharges (aerosols) of infected birds and birds that are carriers.
These organisms are then spread by air circulation within the loft. They then settle on the mucous membranes of upper respiratory system and eyes where, depending on the immune status of the bird, can cause mild to severe illness. These organisms can also be transmitted from the hen to the egg (vertical transmission,) resulting in chicks being born with the disease.
Symptoms
The organism is wide spread and can live in the environment for several weeks. It is unlikely that there are any pigeons that have not been exposed to varying numbers of the organism, with race baskets being the biggest source of infection.
Symptoms shown vary tremendously and are very dependent on immune and nutritional status/stress levels etc. of the birds
Symptoms most commonly found are:-
• Poor race performance.
• Unwillingness to fly around loft.
• Red throats sometimes with mucous “strings"
• Brown wattles especially the area directly above nostril opening.
• Conjunctivitis “one eyed cold”. Bubbles are often seen in the excessive tears produced. Birds often rub their heads on their wing butts (shoulders).
• Respiratory distress.
• Green diarrhoea if liver is affected.
• Death in severe cases.
Diagnosis
This can be made in the live bird by doing various tests on blood and throat samples.
A rapid test is now available from Medpet where results are available in 10 minutes.
Treatment
Doxybiotic Plus (Doxybiotic S in cage birds) is the treatment of choice.
Various treatment protocols can be used:-
• When the disease has been confirmed with laboratory tests, treat for 20 days.
• When the disease has been a problem in previous years, treat for 10 days before the race season (April/May in SA)
• As a preventative treatment during the race season treat for 3-7 days.
• During treatment all sources of Calcium (e.g. grit and minerals) must be removed.
• Lewerstim can be added to the Doxybiotic every 3rd day. Enteroplus or Intestum can be given with, and after the Doxybiotic.
• Wherever possible, boost immunity with Medimune, Enteroplus, Vitaton 34 and Intestum.
• Doxybiotic should be used every 6 weeks during the race season. This is done as a preventative measure.
• Avoid stress situations e.g. overcrowding.
Salmonella / Paratyphoid
This disease in pigeons is caused by Salmonella typhimurium (var copenhagen). Salmonella bacteria are species specific meaning that each animal and bird species has its own Salmonella. It is not transferable from one species to another. Wild birds, rats, mice etc. play no direct role in the transmission of the disease. Recent research done on this problem has shown that the beliefs we have had all these years have been incorrect. Only symptomless carriers and clinically ill pigeons are a source of infection.
Transmission
The organism is transmitted from carrier and ill birds via food, water, faeces, dust, air etc.
Infected hens can transmit the organism to the egg (vertical transmission). This results in “dead in shell”.
Symptoms
Vary tremendously depending on age of bird, immune status, overall general health of the birds and the organs affected. Symptoms shown (starting with mildest to most severe), can be:-
• Mild to no symptoms (symptomless carriers)
• Poor performance
• Poor fertility if sex organs are affected
• Poor hatchability of eggs
• Diarrhoea
• Swollen joints
• Nervous symptoms (neck and head twisting. loss of balance). Here the symptoms are
• similar to Paramyxo.
• General signs of poor health, poor appetite, listlessness, weight loss, ruffled feathers etc.
• Death, which in many cases can be sudden.
(See Colin Walker's photos below)
Diagnosis is made by bacterial isolation of Salmonella in the faeces of live birds and isolations from internal organs in the dead bird.
A Rapid test available from Medpet can be done on the faeces of the birds. Results are available in 10 minutes.
See the link for pictures.
Pictures below (courtesy Dr Colin Walker) showing a pigeon with meningeal form of paratyphoid (severe case on the right).
www.medpet.co.za/news/common-avian-diseases_Apr2008.htm
Treatment
Mediprim, Avivet or Trimethoprim Sulfa are used for 10-14 days.
Supportive treatment in form of immune boosters, Vitamins and probiotics (Intestum, Entero-Plus, Medimune, Lewerstim and Vitaton 34) can be used during and after treatment.
Isolate sick birds. Disinfect loft regularly especially during treatment.
Follow good husbandry practice to ensure birds are in optimum health. Use probiotics and immune boosters wherever possible.
New introductions and strays should be isolated and treated preventatively as above.
(updated May 2016)
Ornithosis/Chlamydiosis / Psittacosis (Chlamydophila psittaci)
This disease is caused by Chlamydia psittaci.
Transmission
Elementary bodies (infective parts of the organism) are commonly found in the loft. They are found on feather dust (bloom), dried faeces, loft surfaces and in respiratory system discharges (aerosols) of infected birds and birds that are carriers.
These organisms are then spread by air circulation within the loft. They then settle on the mucous membranes of upper respiratory system and eyes where, depending on the immune status of the bird, can cause mild to severe illness. These organisms can also be transmitted from the hen to the egg (vertical transmission,) resulting in chicks being born with the disease.
Symptoms
The organism is wide spread and can live in the environment for several weeks. It is unlikely that there are any pigeons that have not been exposed to varying numbers of the organism, with race baskets being the biggest source of infection.
Symptoms shown vary tremendously and are very dependent on immune and nutritional status/stress levels etc. of the birds
Symptoms most commonly found are:-
• Poor race performance.
• Unwillingness to fly around loft.
• Red throats sometimes with mucous “strings"
• Brown wattles especially the area directly above nostril opening.
• Conjunctivitis “one eyed cold”. Bubbles are often seen in the excessive tears produced. Birds often rub their heads on their wing butts (shoulders).
• Respiratory distress.
• Green diarrhoea if liver is affected.
• Death in severe cases.
Diagnosis
This can be made in the live bird by doing various tests on blood and throat samples.
A rapid test is now available from Medpet where results are available in 10 minutes.
Treatment
Doxybiotic Plus (Doxybiotic S in cage birds) is the treatment of choice.
Various treatment protocols can be used:-
• When the disease has been confirmed with laboratory tests, treat for 20 days.
• When the disease has been a problem in previous years, treat for 10 days before the race season (April/May in SA)
• As a preventative treatment during the race season treat for 3-7 days.
• During treatment all sources of Calcium (e.g. grit and minerals) must be removed.
• Lewerstim can be added to the Doxybiotic every 3rd day. Enteroplus or Intestum can be given with, and after the Doxybiotic.
• Wherever possible, boost immunity with Medimune, Enteroplus, Vitaton 34 and Intestum.
• Doxybiotic should be used every 6 weeks during the race season. This is done as a preventative measure.
• Avoid stress situations e.g. overcrowding.
Salmonella / Paratyphoid
This disease in pigeons is caused by Salmonella typhimurium (var copenhagen). Salmonella bacteria are species specific meaning that each animal and bird species has its own Salmonella. It is not transferable from one species to another. Wild birds, rats, mice etc. play no direct role in the transmission of the disease. Recent research done on this problem has shown that the beliefs we have had all these years have been incorrect. Only symptomless carriers and clinically ill pigeons are a source of infection.
Transmission
The organism is transmitted from carrier and ill birds via food, water, faeces, dust, air etc.
Infected hens can transmit the organism to the egg (vertical transmission). This results in “dead in shell”.
Symptoms
Vary tremendously depending on age of bird, immune status, overall general health of the birds and the organs affected. Symptoms shown (starting with mildest to most severe), can be:-
• Mild to no symptoms (symptomless carriers)
• Poor performance
• Poor fertility if sex organs are affected
• Poor hatchability of eggs
• Diarrhoea
• Swollen joints
• Nervous symptoms (neck and head twisting. loss of balance). Here the symptoms are
• similar to Paramyxo.
• General signs of poor health, poor appetite, listlessness, weight loss, ruffled feathers etc.
• Death, which in many cases can be sudden.
(See Colin Walker's photos below)
Diagnosis is made by bacterial isolation of Salmonella in the faeces of live birds and isolations from internal organs in the dead bird.
A Rapid test available from Medpet can be done on the faeces of the birds. Results are available in 10 minutes.
See the link for pictures.
Pictures below (courtesy Dr Colin Walker) showing a pigeon with meningeal form of paratyphoid (severe case on the right).
www.medpet.co.za/news/common-avian-diseases_Apr2008.htm
Treatment
Mediprim, Avivet or Trimethoprim Sulfa are used for 10-14 days.
Supportive treatment in form of immune boosters, Vitamins and probiotics (Intestum, Entero-Plus, Medimune, Lewerstim and Vitaton 34) can be used during and after treatment.
Isolate sick birds. Disinfect loft regularly especially during treatment.
Follow good husbandry practice to ensure birds are in optimum health. Use probiotics and immune boosters wherever possible.
New introductions and strays should be isolated and treated preventatively as above.