Denica Enterprises

Diseases

Specific Infectious Diseases:     Ornithosis:

Symptoms of the disease:

Ornithosis occurs in 2 forms:

The acute form can be recognized in young pigeons from:   Wheezing noises, uni- or bilateral conjunctivitis and muco-aqueous enteritis with diarrhoea.

The chronic form:   Is found more often in adult birds, which , however, show few or no signs of the disease.

Pigeons that have recovered are a dangerous source of infection for young pigeons and for humans due to their latent shedding of the pathogen.

Recognition of the disease:

The disease can be demonstrated  in dead pigeons by microscopic examination of a smear or impression preparation of the spleen, liver, conjunctiva or air sac that has first been stained using the method according to Stamp. In live birds, the pathogen is demonstrated in faeces, via a sink dab from the cloaca, or alternatively by serological identification of specific antibodies.

Similar conditions:

Infectious catarrh, Salmonellosis, Paramyxovirus infection.

Treatment:

Flocks are treated with Chlortetracyclin +, which has been successfully used for many years to control Ornithosis.

In order to maintain effective blood levels, administration of Chlortetracyclin + must not be interrupted during the 25 day treatment period.

NOTES:   DO NOT give the pigeons any feedstuffs containing calcium (grit) during treatment, since calcium binds chlortetracycline and thus reduces its efficacy.

NO free flight for affected birds and remove ALL bath water during treatment period.