| I
frequently get asked: "Whats new"
(about pigeon health).
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
There are rarely things that are actually
new, but a few things change. Whats new
is:
I
am beginning to see more resistance to Baytril
in the organisms that I culture. This is
because the antibiotic has been used, and
abused, long enough for bacteria to have
developed resistance to it. Remember, when
you use Antibiotics, to use them for the
proper length of time and at the correct
dosage; and NOT to use them when not actually
needed.
The
more the bacteria get exposed to an antibiotic,
the greater the odds that they will be able
to develop resistance. This is especially
true when they are administered for only
a day or two, and dosed regularly, or at
low dosage.
There
is a great resurgence in PMV. Fanciers have
gotten complacent about vaccinating for
this disease. It's incidence had gone down,
but now is back up. The vaccination gives
nearly 100% protection, is inexpensive,
is easy to give, and has no detrimental
effect on the birds. Over half of the outbreaks
involve the kidney form of the disease only.
The birds become unable to concentrate their
urine, so they pass large volume of very
dilute urine, causing tremendous amounts
of watery fluid to pass with the droppings.
Most birds can recover from this disease,
but it is very slow, taking months. Some
only recover partially and will never be
able to produce a "dry" dropping.
I
am diagnosing a large amount of disease
in the birds caused by a bacteria called
Klebsiella. It is from the same family of
organisms as is E. coli and Salmonella.
It is an opportunist, which was previously
rarely associated with disease. Now we deal
with it regularly in cases of sick and/or
dying pigeons. It is not a normal inhabitant
of the pigeon gut, as is E.coli. It may
be more prevalent because more people use
strong antibiotics more regularly on their
pigeons. This kills the E.coli which are
normal, leaving the gut "open"
for other bacteria to colonize and to potentially
cause disease.
Resistance
is becoming more frequent in Trichomonas.
We can no longer treat for this and assume
that the birds are clear. Resistance to
ronidazole is the most common problem. There
is less resistance to metronidazole at this
time. I recommend alternating anti-trichomonas
drugs to discourage resistance. Remember
that as trichomonas numbers go up, performance
goes proportionately down. Trichomonas infected
birds cannot perform as well as birds which
have none.
For
a while worms in pigeons had decreased dramatically
because of the new wormers that became available
in the late 80's. The incidence of worms
is rising again. Don't neglect this aspect
of pigeon health. Remember to treat before
every season, for worms. Ivomec will eliminate
Capallaria (hairworms), but usually will
not completely eliminate Roundworms. If
you have a roundworm problem use Pyrantel
Pamoate. It is a safe and inexpensive medication
which usually only has to be used for one
day,and can be dosed in the water.
Remember
when submitting dead birds or feces for
culture and other diagnostic work, never
freeze them. Freezing makes them useless,
in most cases. Refrigeration is fine, and
recommended in warm temperatures. Submit
to the laboratory in the fastest mode available,
which is usually overnight delivery.
David
E. Marx DVM
Golden
Valley Pet and Pigeon Clinic
2707 NW 60th Ave. Norman, OK 73072
1-405-321-1659
The
charge is $12.00 for the first 5 minutes
then $3.00 per Minute Diagnostic service
still available Fecal Micro and Culture
$20 |
