The causes of salmonellosis in pigeons
Salmonellosis in pigeons is a common disease. Pathology itself is very contagious and destructive. Every year, more than 30% of pigeons die from this disease. The disease is in every corner of the world, and it has not spared our country either. Not only the host birds suffer from salmonellosis, but also the pigeons living on the street, and the problem always manifests itself in different ways.
Salmonellosis in pigeons
Causes
Salmonellosis of pigeons is a serious illness, the causes of which are:
- fatigue;
- frail genetics;
- weak defense system;
- poor air circulation in the dovecote;
- malnutrition;
- bad habitat.
Salmonellosis in common pigeons is transmitted through droppings and contact with sick birds. Rodents also play an important role in the spread of this disease: they contaminate grain with their droppings, which subsequently enters the pigeons' feed.
Infection sometimes occurs through dust and air, which is a problem if there is very poor ventilation in the dovecote.
Infected adult pigeons immediately transmit the disease to their offspring. The eggs are already filled with disease. 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 can be litter, food, droppings, cells, or the bacillus itself. After the infected chick is born, it is immediately clear from it that it is sick: it has a disorder and disease of the joints. Even if the chick recovers, in the future it will give birth to sick offspring.
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to tell by the pigeon whether it is sick with salmonellosis. Such an ailment can manifest itself only after a couple of months or even years later: everything will depend on the bird's immunity.
Often, pigeons carry this disease unnoticed by humans. Only in pigeons with weak immunity can you notice the manifestations of the disease. If these are chicks, then they often refuse to eat and die within 7-15 days. Salmonellosis of adult pigeons manifests itself in loss of appetite, inability to fly, frustration, and after 50-65 days they die. Veterinarians recommend that prophylaxis be carried out every year so that salmonellosis in domestic pigeons does not appear.
Hidden form
Pigeons do not show 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, a decrease in productivity is observed. Eggs are laid irregularly, chickens and embryos die. The disease affects the young most of all, since their immunity has not yet been established, and therefore they cannot completely cope with salmonellosis. Often the disease affects the vision of the pigeon. After a while, the pet becomes completely blind. Another indicator is body temperature.
How are things going with the joints?
After prophylaxis in the dovecote, vaccination for sick pigeons, signs of recovery appear, but this does not mean that there will be no complications, which include joint disease. The joint itself enlarges, a pocket is formed, filled with fluid. Because of this fluid, staphylococcus can develop. The pigeon loses the ability to fly and move.
This complication is often called paralysis, but this is not true. The main cause of paralysis is damage to the nervous system, and then an infectious disease of the joints occurs, as a result of which they lengthen and fill with fluid, the pigeon cannot move.
Salmonella Nervous
Salmonella nervosa is a rare form of the disease that occurs only in chronic cases. The main symptom is mild twitching or cramps. Then it all develops into constant convulsions, after which the bird begins to throw itself onto its back, which leads to death. The bird lies on its side, its neck is arched.
It is worth considering that the division of symptoms into particles is a conditional form of how this disease can proceed. In fact, a bird can have both individual symptoms and all at once. With a 100% guarantee, it is possible to say whether it is Salmonella or not, only thanks to clinical tests. This disease has many different forms and manifestations. In chicks and young pigeons, the mortality rate reaches 89%. If the disease is chronic, then the mortality rate is less than 12%.
Prevention and existing drugs
Pigeons from salmonellosis can be saved with the help of prophylaxis. For this you need:
- provide pigeons with good nutrition;
- clean every week, disinfect the bird habitat, constantly ventilate and adhere to the rules of hygiene;
- fight rodents that can sneak into the dovecote 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 maintain immunity;
- give mild antibiotics;
- vaccinate.
People can become infected with salmonellosis of pigeons, so it is also extremely important to protect yourself: wear gloves, wash your hands and carry out prevention. To date, the so-called live vaccine has proven itself well. Most often, the drugs are bought from European production, they do not have any 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 as early as 7-10 weeks, but before that, 2 weeks before that, you need to inject the vaccine against the whirligig. Serum can help great, the main thing is not to miss the time favorable for its introduction.
Adult birds should be vaccinated against withers once a year. The best time to schedule this event is late November and early December.
You can try to cure birds with folk remedies, but veterinarians advise 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 the disease with it.
Vaccination can be carried out:
- from birth of the bird to 20 days;
- for prophylaxis if other birds in the flock have been infected;
- 3-4 weeks before laying;
- if the birds are decorative.
You cannot drink medicine:
- birds that have suffered a serious illness and are now very weak;
- during 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 domestic pigeons is common.To save birds, the main thing is to take preventive measures in time, clean the territory and vaccinate. Attention should be paid to various signs of the disease in order to start treatment with drugs for salmonellosis in pigeons on time.