| Misc Problems |
Dropsy:
Recognition of the Problem:
This is more usually a problem with old pigeons that demonstrate a swollen
abdomen filled with watery tissue. Ascites is another name - the accumulation of
lymph or tissue fluid in the tissue between cells. The bird gasps for breath with
constant panting and signs of exhaustion.
Causes of the Problem:
There are several causes - obesity at laying, lack of exercise; over-breeding,
weak heart, worms (severe), Coccidiosis, digestive problems, injury and internal
tumor. Birds rarely recover from this condition and there is NO TREATMENT for
the same.
Recognition of the Problem:
This is more usually a problem with old pigeons that demonstrate a swollen
abdomen filled with watery tissue. Ascites is another name - the accumulation of
lymph or tissue fluid in the tissue between cells. The bird gasps for breath with
constant panting and signs of exhaustion.
Causes of the Problem:
There are several causes - obesity at laying, lack of exercise; over-breeding,
weak heart, worms (severe), Coccidiosis, digestive problems, injury and internal
tumor. Birds rarely recover from this condition and there is NO TREATMENT for
the same.
Egg Bound:
Recognition of the Problem:
This is more common than dropsy and can affect hen pigeons of all ages. The
pigeon is unable to pass the egg due to obesity or poor condition. In some cases
the egg is being miscarried or aborted while at the soft shell stage. This
happens when the female has started egg production but, contact with the mate
has ceased (male or female) and has neglected to consume sufficient food or grit.
In both cases the egg will require surgical removal or nursing assistance taking
care not to break a shelled egg internally. This may be done by using your
vaccination syringe (without needle) to insert warm olive oil (body temperature)
into the vent and leaving nature to take its course after applying a very gentle
massage. The process could need repeating 2-3 times. Most hens recover from
the experience.
Recognition of the Problem:
This is more common than dropsy and can affect hen pigeons of all ages. The
pigeon is unable to pass the egg due to obesity or poor condition. In some cases
the egg is being miscarried or aborted while at the soft shell stage. This
happens when the female has started egg production but, contact with the mate
has ceased (male or female) and has neglected to consume sufficient food or grit.
In both cases the egg will require surgical removal or nursing assistance taking
care not to break a shelled egg internally. This may be done by using your
vaccination syringe (without needle) to insert warm olive oil (body temperature)
into the vent and leaving nature to take its course after applying a very gentle
massage. The process could need repeating 2-3 times. Most hens recover from
the experience.
Feather Rot:
Symptoms of the Disease:
There are two causes - fungus/feather and boring mite. Both cases thrive in damp
patches i.e. residual damp from faeces on perches / nests/ floor corners. It is
usually found to affect birds of coarse webbed feather type. The fungus, microbe
or mite lives within the soft pulp of the feather shaft, gradually breaking to the
stubble until bald patches appear.
Treatment:
Affected pigeons may be bathed in Camphor water. Pigeons will moult clean but
the problem may reoccur at the next humid season. The modern veterinary
treatment is injectable Ivermectin, which also acts as a complete de-louser and
wormer. Ivermectin has proved safe for pigeons and has also shown a capability to
improve feather quality at subsequent moulting. Ivomec can be applied via a single
drop upon the skin, under the feathering at the very rear of the birds head - this
has proven to be remarkably effective for keeping the birds louse or mite free
for the season.
Symptoms of the Disease:
There are two causes - fungus/feather and boring mite. Both cases thrive in damp
patches i.e. residual damp from faeces on perches / nests/ floor corners. It is
usually found to affect birds of coarse webbed feather type. The fungus, microbe
or mite lives within the soft pulp of the feather shaft, gradually breaking to the
stubble until bald patches appear.
Treatment:
Affected pigeons may be bathed in Camphor water. Pigeons will moult clean but
the problem may reoccur at the next humid season. The modern veterinary
treatment is injectable Ivermectin, which also acts as a complete de-louser and
wormer. Ivermectin has proved safe for pigeons and has also shown a capability to
improve feather quality at subsequent moulting. Ivomec can be applied via a single
drop upon the skin, under the feathering at the very rear of the birds head - this
has proven to be remarkably effective for keeping the birds louse or mite free
for the season.
Fungus:
Symptoms of the Disease:
Fungus disorders in pigeons are not always readily recognized until their
manifestation into a more serious illness. These take numerous forms and reduce
resistance to secondary infections see - Aspergillosis, Chlamidospore, Feather Rot,
Thrush ( Candida albicans ) etc. Fungus disorders attack the respiratory system,
nervous system, reproductive organs, and air sacs etc. reducing performance and
yet the bird often displays apparent health. The causes are outlined under the
various disease headings but a couple of extra causes may be outlined here:
(Aflatoxin poisoning):
Aflatoxin is produced by a mould (Aspergillus's flavus) which may develop in any
badly harvested or stored grain or vegetable matter (straw, hay etc.) The mould
thrives upon changeable humidity when the grain (or growing plant) is exposed to
warmth after damp conditions. Unfortunately Aflatoxin develops unseen within the
centre of the grain; outwardly the feedstuff has the appearance of being sound.
Seasonal weather, incorrect storage plus several other factors, one of which could
be condensation within the silo or the corn bin may promote the fungal growth. At
its least severe condition Aflatoxin poisoning can result in brain damage, lung,
heart, liver, spleen, and kidney damage, at its worst sudden death. There are
pigeons that will not fly, yet appearing apparently healthy. The cause is almost
certainly a fungus disorder affecting either the brain or the air sacs.
Symptoms of the Disease:
Fungus disorders in pigeons are not always readily recognized until their
manifestation into a more serious illness. These take numerous forms and reduce
resistance to secondary infections see - Aspergillosis, Chlamidospore, Feather Rot,
Thrush ( Candida albicans ) etc. Fungus disorders attack the respiratory system,
nervous system, reproductive organs, and air sacs etc. reducing performance and
yet the bird often displays apparent health. The causes are outlined under the
various disease headings but a couple of extra causes may be outlined here:
(Aflatoxin poisoning):
Aflatoxin is produced by a mould (Aspergillus's flavus) which may develop in any
badly harvested or stored grain or vegetable matter (straw, hay etc.) The mould
thrives upon changeable humidity when the grain (or growing plant) is exposed to
warmth after damp conditions. Unfortunately Aflatoxin develops unseen within the
centre of the grain; outwardly the feedstuff has the appearance of being sound.
Seasonal weather, incorrect storage plus several other factors, one of which could
be condensation within the silo or the corn bin may promote the fungal growth. At
its least severe condition Aflatoxin poisoning can result in brain damage, lung,
heart, liver, spleen, and kidney damage, at its worst sudden death. There are
pigeons that will not fly, yet appearing apparently healthy. The cause is almost
certainly a fungus disorder affecting either the brain or the air sacs.
Aspergillus:
Symptoms of the Disease:
Two of the main causes are moldy maize or peanuts, which by definition are also
two main ingredients of the pigeons diet. Maize should be checked regularly and
peanuts purchased only if fit for human consumption and fed in small amounts only
due to their limited storability.
Another cause of fungus disorder may lie due to bad loft management i.e. damp
hay or straw. A further cause comes by the addition of Brewers Yeast to the
feed whilst treating the bird with antibiotics, as the bird caretaker adds a mould
to a mould and in many cases negates the medical treatment. Young pigeons in the
nest are very susceptible to fungus disorders; there is a time to use Yeast and a
time to withhold it. These are two of them.
Treatment:
Fortunately most mild fungus disorders can be controlled by the addition of weak
tincture aqueous iodine to the water and this may also have a tonic effect when not
abused (1 teaspoon per Gallon). Sometimes fungus problems may be mistaken for
PMV. in their symptoms.
Symptoms of the Disease:
Two of the main causes are moldy maize or peanuts, which by definition are also
two main ingredients of the pigeons diet. Maize should be checked regularly and
peanuts purchased only if fit for human consumption and fed in small amounts only
due to their limited storability.
Another cause of fungus disorder may lie due to bad loft management i.e. damp
hay or straw. A further cause comes by the addition of Brewers Yeast to the
feed whilst treating the bird with antibiotics, as the bird caretaker adds a mould
to a mould and in many cases negates the medical treatment. Young pigeons in the
nest are very susceptible to fungus disorders; there is a time to use Yeast and a
time to withhold it. These are two of them.
Treatment:
Fortunately most mild fungus disorders can be controlled by the addition of weak
tincture aqueous iodine to the water and this may also have a tonic effect when not
abused (1 teaspoon per Gallon). Sometimes fungus problems may be mistaken for
PMV. in their symptoms.
Gapes:
Symptoms of the Disease:
The symptoms of Gapes are gasping for breath, head shaking and coughing without
any sign of apparent illness. The cause is – the small red Gape worm (Syngamus
Trachaelis), which develops inside another host i.e. earthworm, maggot, snail etc.,
that thrives around soiled ground near poultry, ducks and geese. The parasitic
worm once ingested feeds within the lung upon blood for ten days. It then makes
its way after rapid growth to the windpipe. The adult male attaches itself to the
female forming a letter “Y”, causing the bird to gasp or “Gape” when it is
eventually coughed up onto the ground or water.
Treatment:
There may be a homeopathic cure: Drosera and Dulcamara given on alternate
days. Also Ignatia, Lacesis and China.
Symptoms of the Disease:
The symptoms of Gapes are gasping for breath, head shaking and coughing without
any sign of apparent illness. The cause is – the small red Gape worm (Syngamus
Trachaelis), which develops inside another host i.e. earthworm, maggot, snail etc.,
that thrives around soiled ground near poultry, ducks and geese. The parasitic
worm once ingested feeds within the lung upon blood for ten days. It then makes
its way after rapid growth to the windpipe. The adult male attaches itself to the
female forming a letter “Y”, causing the bird to gasp or “Gape” when it is
eventually coughed up onto the ground or water.
Treatment:
There may be a homeopathic cure: Drosera and Dulcamara given on alternate
days. Also Ignatia, Lacesis and China.
Going Light:
Symptoms of the Disease:
This again is a symptom rather than an illness and may be related to a number of
causes. The bird suffers rapid weight loss, listlessness and emaciation. This may
possibly be due to Coccidiosis, Ornithosis, Psittacosis, a fungus related disorder,
is when an apparently healthy bird with full body appears extremely light (not fit)
is when an apparently healthy bird with full body appears extremely light (not fit)
in”. Often these birds will rarely leave the loft floor or struggle to reach their
and seems to lack vitality, will not fly and when made to do so appears to be “all
perch; somehow they just seem lifeless in the hand. It could be suffering from
over exertion and all will and physical power is destroyed and somehow the bird
never recovers its former character. Monitor all offspring for signs of vigor loss!
Treatment:
Give a multi vitamin solution like Vimril or Alviton-5 drops in the morning and 5 in
the evening for a week.
Symptoms of the Disease:
This again is a symptom rather than an illness and may be related to a number of
causes. The bird suffers rapid weight loss, listlessness and emaciation. This may
possibly be due to Coccidiosis, Ornithosis, Psittacosis, a fungus related disorder,
is when an apparently healthy bird with full body appears extremely light (not fit)
is when an apparently healthy bird with full body appears extremely light (not fit)
in”. Often these birds will rarely leave the loft floor or struggle to reach their
and seems to lack vitality, will not fly and when made to do so appears to be “all
perch; somehow they just seem lifeless in the hand. It could be suffering from
over exertion and all will and physical power is destroyed and somehow the bird
never recovers its former character. Monitor all offspring for signs of vigor loss!
Treatment:
Give a multi vitamin solution like Vimril or Alviton-5 drops in the morning and 5 in
the evening for a week.
Indigestion:
Symptoms of the Disease:
A symptom is that the pigeon fails to digest its full feed overnight. This may be
due to probably gorging after being hungry. If it has affected more than one bird
the grain was probably kiln dried and too hard to soak and digest. Too much
barley; irregular feeding; too heavy feeding , lack of grit in gizzard are other
reasons.
Treatment:
Convalesce by feeding sparingly then gradual build up in quantity; replenish fresh
clean grits and minerals; bicarbonate of soda in drinker. Give the bird a liver tonic
like Liv 52 (vet), antibiotics-Oxytetracycline or Enrox. If the bird has a grain or
any other feed stuck in its throat, help induce regurgitation (vomiting). Pour warm
water (not hot) into the bird’s beak with a dropper and then press the crop lightly.
The other possibility is hernia of the gizzard which has NO CURE.
Symptoms of the Disease:
A symptom is that the pigeon fails to digest its full feed overnight. This may be
due to probably gorging after being hungry. If it has affected more than one bird
the grain was probably kiln dried and too hard to soak and digest. Too much
barley; irregular feeding; too heavy feeding , lack of grit in gizzard are other
reasons.
Treatment:
Convalesce by feeding sparingly then gradual build up in quantity; replenish fresh
clean grits and minerals; bicarbonate of soda in drinker. Give the bird a liver tonic
like Liv 52 (vet), antibiotics-Oxytetracycline or Enrox. If the bird has a grain or
any other feed stuck in its throat, help induce regurgitation (vomiting). Pour warm
water (not hot) into the bird’s beak with a dropper and then press the crop lightly.
The other possibility is hernia of the gizzard which has NO CURE.
