Pigeons, their diseases and treatment. Pigeon diseases dangerous to humans

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The dove has long been a symbol of good news and purity. Today these amazing birds live next to us. Many major cities in Europe and the world cannot be imagined without these charming birds. The pigeons have become something of a tourist attraction as thousands of tourists try to capture them through their cameras.

Because these creatures are our neighbors, it is worth paying attention to the change in their behavior, because often this is the only way to determine that the bird is sick. Do not forget that there are pigeon diseases that are dangerous to humans. It is especially necessary for the owners of pigeon houses to monitor their he alth, since infectious diseases can lead to the complete extinction of the livestock, as well as cause significant harm to human he alth.

When breeding birds, it is important to remember that, as in the case of people, it is much easier to prevent an ailment than to treat it later. At the same time, the "sores" of birds are mainly of a massive nature. That is, it will not be possible to get off with a slight fright (that is, the loss of 1-2 individuals). There are many diseases of various etiologies to which pigeons are predisposed. Their diseases and treatmentrequire a professional approach and timely medical assistance. This is what helps to save the number of birds.

Origin of diseases

Diseases in pigeons can be non-contagious and contagious. The development of ailments often leads to non-compliance with the conditions for feeding, keeping and raising birds, violation of the sanitary hygiene of feeders, drinkers and aviaries, heavy loads and even frequent laying of eggs. All these factors contribute to a decrease in the immunity of the bird and the weakening of its body.

The most dangerous pathogens in pigeons are infectious agents. They can be bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal in nature. Among the diseases that domestic pigeons are susceptible to, diseases of an infectious nature are the most dangerous. Their pathogens can affect the human body, causing the direct development of a particular pathology or a general decrease in the body's defenses.

General symptoms

When breeding pigeons, it is necessary to carefully monitor the he alth of the birds and, if the first symptoms of the disease appear, immediately contact the veterinarian. So what are the signs of pigeon disease? With any pathology, a violation of behavior is noted: the birds do not fly, hide in a dark place, refuse to feed. Also, ruffled feathers, closed eyes, rapid breathing, general lethargy of the pet's body should alert the owner. When infected, the body temperature of the bird rises, the color and consistency of feces change, and sometimes even the gait changes.

If there are sick pigeons, their illness and treatment is necessarystrictly control. So, the diseased individual must be isolated from the general population at the first signs of the disease. If pigeons have discharge from the eyes, nostrils or mouth, you should immediately consult a specialist, as often such symptoms indicate the infectious nature of the disease.

Now consider the most dangerous diseases that pigeons are susceptible to. Their diseases and treatment require special attention from the owner, as they can harm him.

Virtyachka

The most common and devastating disease of pigeons - the whirlwind - is capable of infecting the entire population of the dovecote in a short time. It is caused by paramyxovirus, which, when ingested, causes paralysis and impaired coordination of movements in a bird. In a severe form of the course, inflammation of the brain can develop. The greatest danger lies in the possibility of internal hemorrhages in vital organs.

Infection carriers are sick domestic and wild birds. The virus is mainly transmitted by airborne droplets, but infection through drinkers and feeders is possible.

What are the hallmarks of this pigeon disease? Symptoms are specific and appear on the 4th-5th day of the disease. In sick birds, head tilting is noted, which is associated with damage to the nervous system. The infection spreads at lightning speed, in most cases the death of the bird occurs already on the 9th day of the disease.

Staging is noted in the development of the spinner:

1. Initial stage - loss of appetite, increased thirst, drowsiness, disheveled feather cover.
2. Paralytic stage - paralysis starts from the neck, then the wings, legs stop moving, the bird may fall, its head throws back.
3. Severe convulsions.

This is a very dangerous disease of pigeons for humans. Twirl can infect the lymph nodes and cause conjunctivitis.

The disease is incurable. There is a set of specially designed preventive measures that helps prevent the massive spread of infection:

1. Sick birds must be immediately removed from the dovecote. The room should be disinfected with a 5-10% bleach solution or 3% formalin solution.
2. Young pigeons should be vaccinated on the 30th day of life. The vaccines "Bor-74", "La Sota" are used at the rate of 2 drops of the drug 2 times a day for 1 bird for 5 days.

Smallpox

Pigeon pox is an acute disease caused by a pigeon-type ultravirus. It is characterized by lesions of the mucous membranes and skin. With a severely neglected form, the disease often becomes chronic.

Smallpox mostly progresses in the summer. Young animals are susceptible to the disease, adult pigeons act as carriers. Infection is carried out through secretions and droppings, as well as through insect vectors. The risk of infection increases with poor housing conditions, malnutrition, adverse climatic conditions, as well as with a lack of vitamin A. The duration of the incubation period is 15-20 days.

There are three types of this pigeon disease, the signs of which differ significantly from each other:

1. Smallpox form - characterized by the appearance of smallpox in the beak, eyelids and neck, and then on the legs and under the wings. The growth of neoplasms is carried out within 12-15 days, after which the upper film is removed, leaving bleeding erosion. By day 20, the wound dries up and heals. Sometimes the healing process takes up to 2 months.
2. Diphtheritic form - pockmarks are formed on the mucous membrane of the mouth and pharynx. On the 7th-9th day, the peak of the disease is observed, when pockmarks increase so much that the bird cannot close its beak. The nasal mucosa, conjunctiva, and cornea of the eyes may also be affected.
3. Mixed form - there are signs of the first two forms.

Pigeonpox is dangerous because the virus can spread through the bloodstream throughout the body, causing damage to new organs. With timely treatment, birds develop lifelong immunity.

Stages of treatment and prevention:

1. In case of damage to skin areas: treatment of tissues with a 2% solution of boric acid. If there are dried crusts, they are treated with an iodine solution, and then with a cream.
2. When the beak is affected: the mucosa is treated with Loseval solution with glucose or iodine. Pigeons are given tetracycline antibiotics.
3. Drinking water is disinfected with 1% chloramine solution. The room is treated with iodine preparations.
4. Strickenthe larynx is treated with Lugol's solution. Birds are given antibiotics, vitamins and immunomodulators for 5 days.
5. Affected eggs from sick pigeons must be destroyed.

Ornithosis

Pigeon psittacosis is a viral disease that affects the respiratory tract. It often occurs in a latent form, which is especially dangerous for a person who can also become infected with the virus. The complexity of treatment and prevention lies in the fact that pathogens show high resistance in various conditions. The virus is transmitted through mucous secretions and droppings.

The duration of the incubation period is from 1 to 4 months. Juveniles are most susceptible to the virus.

There are 2 forms of the course of the disease:

1. Acute form - pigeons aged 2 to 12 weeks get sick. Lethargy is noted, the feces become gray with an admixture of blood, breathing is difficult, purulent conjunctivitis and paralysis occur, which leads to death.
2. Chronic form - observed in adults. Characteristic signs are weakness, lethargy, conjunctivitis. The disease has a favorable outcome. Ill birds become a source of infection.

When carrying out preventive measures, sick pigeons are destroyed, the room is disinfected with preparations based on chlorine and phenol. After the outbreak subsides, the dovecote is quarantined for 6 months.

Paratyphoid, or pigeon salmonellosis

Pigeon paratyphoid is a widespread infectious disease,caused by salmonella.

The source of infection is affected individuals. The danger of paratyphoid lies in the fact that when infected, pigeons become completely sterile. Young individuals are ill in an acute form.

There are 2 forms of the disease:

1. Intestinal - first liquid feces with an admixture of blood are noted, then the joints are affected, tremor of the limbs is noted, the bird cannot fly and move. There may be nodules around the beak and eyes.
2. Nervous form - a clear sign is the thrown back head. The disease ends in death or becomes chronic.

For treatment, biomycin, synthomycin, furazolidone or terramycin are used in a total dose of 100 thousand units per 1 kg of feed for 10 days, after 7 days the course is repeated. The room is being disinfected.

Trichomoniasis

Pigeon Trichomoniasis is a common ailment. The causative agent is the protozoa of the flagellate class. Mostly young birds aged from 2 weeks to 2 months get sick. Adult sick individuals act as carriers of infection. The virus is also transmitted through food and water. Under unfavorable housing and feeding conditions, the risk of infection increases.

The disease is characterized by the formation of whitish-yellow nodules on the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx. Pigeons bend their heads to make swallowing easier. There is diarrhea with mucus, nasal discharge, shortness of breath. The duration of illness ranges from 2 hours to 2 weeks, and often the outcome islethal.

With timely treatment, pigeons can recover. The therapy is carried out with iodized milk, which is prepared from iodine, potassium iodide and water in a ratio of 1:2:10. After that, 1 part of the solution is added to milk at the rate of 1:9. Before giving the medicine to the birds, the milk solution is diluted again with water (1:9).

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis in pigeons is caused by a protozoan of the coccidia group that affects the cells of the intestine, liver and bile ducts.

Birds have a disheveled coat, exhaustion, apathy, diarrhea mixed with blood. Young individuals are exposed to the disease. The peak of infection is observed in the summer.

For treatment, antibiotics are used - 0.05 grams 2 times a day, as well as quinacrine, which is diluted at the rate of 2 grams of the drug per bucket of water.

Paramyxovirus

Pigeon paramyxovirus is the causative agent of Newcastle disease. Infection is carried out through dust. It poses no danger to humans. At the beginning of the disease, the appearance of thirst and diarrhea is noted. In the absence of treatment, paralysis, tilting of the head is noted. The bird cannot eat and drink, the outcome is fatal. There is no treatment. Prevention is through vaccination with Colombovac PMV.

Pigeons: diseases and treatment. Elimination of symptoms caused by parasites

The most common disease in pigeons is ascaridiosis. The causative agents are helminths of the Ascarid family. The small intestine is affected, its blockage is often noted. There is also lethargyweight loss, diarrhea. The second most common is capillariasis, the causative agents of which also live in the small intestine. There is inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Infection is carried out by the alimentary route. Parasitic diseases are diagnosed by examining the litter, where eggs of pathogens are found. For treatment, the drug "Piperazine" is used at the rate of 0.05 grams per 1 individual 3 times a day, the therapy is continued for 3 days, followed by a break of 3 days, then the course is repeated. It is necessary to clean the dovecote from infected droppings.

Pigeons: their diseases and eye treatment

Eye diseases are quite common in pigeons. They are caused by bacterial, viral, parasitic and infectious agents, as well as vitamin deficiency. With the infectious nature of the pathogen, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the pathogen. With beriberi, the diet of birds is enriched with vitamin A.

Eye inflammation can be the result of other diseases such as sinusitis and laryngotracheitis. Often, pigeons have panophthalmitis, a sign of which is clouding of the iris.

General disease prevention

All diseases of pigeons (symptoms described above), regardless of their severity, are easier to prevent.

There is a special plan of preventive measures for this:

1. Keeping birds in comfortable conditions.
2. Maintain indoor cleanliness, drinkers and feeders at a high level.
3. Use of preventivedrugs.
4. Periodic inspection of pigeons for ectoparasites.
5. It is strictly forbidden to let wild pigeons and sparrows into the dovecote.
6. It is necessary to provide birds with timely medical assistance and proper care.

Processing premises in case of infectious diseases

Complete prevention of pigeon diseases is impossible without thorough disinfection of premises. Such events are allowed only with complete isolation of the bird. First, mechanical cleaning is carried out (litter is eliminated). Further, the walls, floor and all objects in the room are treated with hot water. After that, disinfectants can be used. Caustic alkali, 5% bleach, 3% solution of creolin or carbolic acid, formalin, lye and others have proven themselves well. 2 hours after treatment, the room is ventilated, washed with water and bleached. The earth in the boxes is changed. Disinfection is carried out 2 times a year. The floor, nests and perch are processed once a quarter. Drinkers and feeders are processed weekly.