Salmonellosis in pigeons is a common disease. Pathology in itself is very contagious and destructive. Every year, more than 30% of pigeons die from this disease. There is a disease in every corner of the world, and it has not spared our country either. Not only the host birds suffer from salmonellosis, but also pigeons living on the street, and the problem always manifests itself in different ways.
Salmonellosis in pigeons
Causes
Pigeon salmonellosis is a serious ailment, the causes of which are:
- fatigue;
- weak genetics;
- weak security system;
- poor air circulation in the dovecote;
- malnutrition;
- poor habitat.
Salmonellosis in common pigeons is transmitted through litter and communication with a sick bird. Rodents also play an important role in the spread of this disease: they smear grain with their droppings, which subsequently ends up in pigeon feed.
Infection sometimes occurs through dust and air, which is a problem if the dovecote has very poor ventilation.
Infected adult pigeons immediately transmit the disease to their offspring. The disease is already in the eggs. Also, the disease can be transmitted through the shell, which has already been infected, or the pores of the egg. As a result, the infection is transmitted to the entire generation. Salmonellosis in domestic pigeons can appear not only from sick birds, the source may be litter, food, litter, cages or the stick itself. After an infected chick was born, it can immediately be seen that he is sick: he has an upset and joint disease. Even if the chick recovers, in the future he will produce sick offspring.
Unfortunately, the pigeon is very difficult to recognize if he suffers from salmonellosis. Such an ailment can manifest itself only after a couple of months or even years later: everything will depend on the immunity of the bird.
Often, pigeons carry this disease unnoticed by humans. Only in pigeons with weak immunity can the disease manifest itself. If these are chicks, then they often refuse to eat and die within 7-15 days. Salmonellosis of adult pigeons is manifested in loss of appetite, inability to fly, frustration, and after 50-65 days they die. Veterinarians recommend that every year, prevent salmonellosis in pigeons does not appear.
Hidden form
It is not visible from the pigeons that they are sick, since the disease usually does not manifest itself, symptoms are unlikely. Most often, there are different signs. Salmonella affects the liver, kidneys, intestines, heart, joints, brain.
For adults, there is a decrease in productivity. Egg laying occurs irregularly, chickens and embryos die. The disease most affects young people, since their immunity has not yet been established, and therefore they can not completely cope with salmonellosis. Often the disease strikes the pigeon's eyesight. After a while, the pet becomes completely blind. Another indicator is body temperature.
How are things with joints
After prophylaxis in the dovecote, vaccination with sick pigeons, signs of recovery appear, but this does not mean that there will be no complications, including joint disease. The joint itself increases, a pocket filled with fluid forms. Staphylococcus aureus can develop due to this fluid. The pigeon loses the ability to fly and move.
Often this complication is called paralysis, but this is not true. The main cause of paralysis is damage to the nervous system, and here an infectious disease of the joints occurs, as a result of which they become longer and filled with fluid, the pigeon cannot move.
Nervous Salmonella
Salmonella Nervosa is a rare form of the disease that occurs only in chronic cases. The main symptom is a slight twitch or cramp. Then it all develops into constant cramps, after which the bird begins to spread on its back, which leads to death. The bird lies on its side, its neck is bent.
It is worth considering that the division of symptoms into particles is a conditional form of how this disease can occur. In fact, in the bird, there may be both individual symptoms, and all at once. With a 100 percent guarantee, it is possible to say whether it is salmonella or not, only thanks to clinical tests. This disease has a lot of different forms and manifestations. In chicks and young pigeons, mortality reaches 89%. If the disease has a chronic course, then the mortality rate is less than 12%.
Prevention and existing medicines
Pigeons from salmonellosis can be saved with the help of prevention. To do this:
- provide pigeons with good food;
- carry out cleaning every week, disinfect the habitat of birds, constantly carry out ventilation and adhere to hygiene rules;
- fight rodents that can get into the pigeon to eat food;
- 2 times a year, before the mating period, you need to check the livestock for salmonella;
- regularly give vitamins and dietary supplements to feed in order to maintain immunity;
- give mild antibiotics;
- to vaccinate.
People can become infected with salmonella pigeons, so protecting yourself is also extremely important: wear gloves, wash your hands and carry out preventive measures. To date, the so-called live vaccine has proven itself perfectly. Most often, drugs are bought in Europe, they have no side effects and the birds tolerate them well.
The main thing is not to use drugs, relying on cheapness: they kill microflora and reduce immunity. Young birds are vaccinated already at 7-10 weeks, but before that, 2 weeks later it is necessary to inject a vaccine against twirls. Serum can help perfectly, the main thing is not to miss the time favorable for its introduction.
Adult birds should be vaccinated against twirls once a year. It is best to plan this event in late November and early December.
You can try to cure birds with folk remedies, but veterinarians advise you not to risk it. Ultimately, the treatment of salmonellosis in pigeons implies timely vaccination.
Vaccine
Virosalm is considered one of the best drugs against salmonellosis and Newcastle disease. Experienced breeders and farmers use it. This drug is only a preventive measure, it is not possible to treat it with an ailment.
Vaccination can be carried out:
- from the birth of a bird and up to 20 days;
- for prevention if other birds in the flock were infected;
- 3-4 weeks before oviposition;
- if the birds are decorative.
Do not drink with medicine:
- birds that have suffered a serious illness and are now very weak;
- in the warm time of the day at the optimum air temperature;
- during the plumage period;
- mixing with other drugs;
- if chemical additives were used.
Salmonellosis in pigeons is a common occurrence. To protect birds, the main thing is to take timely preventative measures, cleaning the territory and vaccinating. Attention should be paid to various signs of the disease in order to start treatment with pigeon salmonellosis in time.
