Pigeon coryza
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Here is approaching the great heat of summer. Let’s first get it out of our minds that it’s the cold that causes coryza. In all domestic animals, the major epizootics (epidemics) of respiratory ailments are those of intense humid heat, whether the heat is natural or artificial: contagious pneumonia with viruses or microbes (or both) (pasteurellosis – pneumococities complicating myxoviruses) . Cattle or horses that spend the winter on pasture, if properly fed, never have respiratory problems during this period.
So, let’s eliminate the myth of the draft at the same time. A current of air is likely to be dangerous for a perspiring being. This is not the case of the pigeon which is not likely to “catch cold” because of the brutal evaporation of sweat at the level of the skin, thus creating cold (the evaporation of a liquid creates cold ). And then when a pigeon flies, doesn’t that create a current of air equal to the speed of the flight in calm weather, to the sum of the speeds in a headwind, to the difference of the speeds in a pushing wind?
But, you will tell me, to get in shape, you need heat. It’s true. At least some warmth, for one thing. And above all, on the other hand, a certain regularity of heat. What is bad, especially at the start of the season, are the huge temperature variations between day and night: on the verge of freezing at 6 a.m. in the morning, 20 or 25° in the afternoon. This is where a judicious organization of the design and thermal regulation of the loft takes on all its (great) value. Dovecote built in materials that are not very conductive of temperature, therefore spreading the heating and cooling of the premises over time. Discreet but continuous ventilation in all weathers, ensuring the rapid elimination of deleterious gases (carbon dioxide – methane – water vapour). The test of the cigarette whose smoke is evacuated slowly but surely in all weathers, all temperatures, from all points of the loft, through the roof retains all its value. The addition of an electric extractor can be considered. So much for the “middle”. Because as with most diseases, the “organic terrain” plays a leading role in the problems of coryza. Colonies that consistently relapse after apparently effective treatment experience, in most cases, habitat problems. It’s up to the amateur to have a cool enough head to carry out an investigation – without preconceptions – the only one capable of revealing “where the shoe pinches”. Most pigeons are “healthy carriers” of germs capable of causing coryza: staphylococci, klebsielles, coli bacteria, enterococci, mycoplasmas, herpesviruses, etc.
The symptoms are at the origin of popular expressions: wet eye, owl’s head, inflette, tchic which in fact designates the same disease with more or less clear or significant signs. The stays in the basket, an eminent place of contamination, as much by the promiscuity as by the lamentable design of certain vehicles, do not allow any pigeon not to know of contamination. It is only to be seen how quickly the coryzas of August develop, just like the paramyxo (in pigeons not validly vaccinated) the day after the competitions, especially if there has been a postponed release. When thoroughly examining pigeons from a coryza colony, there is one constant. Unless previously treated, all are carriers of trichomonas, and in large quantities. Trichomone-microbes (and possibly viruses) collusion is the rule. Knowing on the one hand that contamination in the basket (seed drinker vomited up and immediately swallowed by another pigeon) is extremely frequent, on the other hand that no antitrichomonas blocks this parasitism for more than 4-5 weeks and often much less ( manufacturers are often very optimistic about protection times), small systematic treatments of 2-3 days, after returning from competition, every 2-3 weeks depending on the product used, against this trichomoniasis is essential. This is the first prevention to do, imperatively. Trichomonosis “makes the bed” for coryza. Then there are the germs. Their extreme diversity means that no antibiotic is certain to be active against all of them. on the other hand that no antitrichomonas blocks this parasitism for more than 4-5 weeks and often much less (the manufacturers are often very optimistic about the protection times), small systematic treatments of 2-3 days, on returning from competition , every 2-3 weeks depending on the product used, against this trichomoniasis is essential. This is the first prevention to do, imperatively. Trichomonosis “makes the bed” for coryza. Then there are the germs. Their extreme diversity means that no antibiotic is certain to be active against all of them. on the other hand that no antitrichomonas blocks this parasitism for more than 4-5 weeks and often much less (the manufacturers are often very optimistic about the protection times), small systematic treatments of 2-3 days, on returning from competition , every 2-3 weeks depending on the product used, against this trichomoniasis is essential. This is the first prevention to do, imperatively. Trichomonosis “makes the bed” for coryza. Then there are the germs. Their extreme diversity means that no antibiotic is certain to be active against all of them. against this trichomoniasis is essential. This is the first prevention to do, imperatively. Trichomonosis “makes the bed” for coryza. Then there are the germs. Their extreme diversity means that no antibiotic is certain to be active against all of them. against this trichomoniasis is essential. This is the first prevention to do, imperatively. Trichomonosis “makes the bed” for coryza. Then there are the germs. Their extreme diversity means that no antibiotic is certain to be active against all of them.
And I’m not talking about the herpesvirus, against which we still have no weapon. Of course, the fancier who has had the opportunity to have a complete diagnosis made by a serious and competent laboratory in matters of pigeons, (I have read nonsense!) knows the antibiotics active in him. So we have to use one or a combination of active antibiotics against as many germs as possible, classic coryza. In what form?
The best is obviously drinking water. It is necessary to use the necessary and sufficient dose. Renew it morning and evening. The treatment must last at least 3 days (booster) and better 5 days (attack treatment). Note that some antibiotics do not cross the intestine and therefore have no interest against coryza: streptomycin – gentamycin – neomycin – framycetin for example.
Injections will be reserved for acute cases and are not in the field of prevention. Finally, oculo-nasal drops (eyes – nostrils) are harmless. Given on return, even before basketing, they disinfect a small part of the eye – nose – throat apparatus. For those familiar with the extreme anatomical complexity of the nasal cavities and sinuses, the relativity of their interest is beyond doubt.
Doc. Vet. J. P. Stosskopf
Remarks:
- As with most diseases, the “organic” plays a prominent role in the problems of coryza. Colonies that consistently relapse after apparently effective treatment experience, in most cases, habitat problems. It’s up to the amateur to have a cool enough head to carry out an investigation – without preconceptions – the only one capable of revealing “where the shoe pinches”.
- The cold does not cause coryza.
- Trichomonosis “makes the bed” for coryza.
- Most pigeons are “healthy carriers” of germs capable of causing coryza.
- Small systematic treatments of 2-3 days against trichomoniasis, after returning from competition, every 2-3 weeks are necessary. On the one hand because the contamination in the basket by the drinker or vomited seeds, is extremely frequent, on the other hand because no anti-trichomones drug protects the pigeons more than 4 to 5 weeks.
[ Source:Article edited by Doc. Vet. J. P. Stosskopf – PIGEON RIT Magazine]
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