Diseases of pigeons and their treatment are a topic of concern to pigeon breeders and everyone who comes into contact with birds that can be carriers of infections dangerous to humans. It is usually not possible to save wild individuals from one or another disease. But it is worth distinguishing sick birds from healthy ones in order to protect yourself.

Any breeder wants their livestock to increase and be pleasing to the eye. Therefore, decorative, homing, racing and meat pigeons need to be given special attention.

Diseases of these birds (like all representatives of the animal kingdom) are divided into infectious and non-infectious. The second type is not contagious and can be treated. It is represented by internal and skin diseases. The bird may have gastroenteritis, cloacitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, hypomitaminosis, rickets, arthritis and other ailments. A veterinarian can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the right medicine.

Infectious diseases are caused by viruses or bacteria. Young animals are especially susceptible to them. Many infections are dangerous to human health. Therefore, we will consider the most common diseases of pigeons: how to recognize them, cure and prevent them.

With this disease, the central nervous system is affected, which leads to epilepsy. It is transmitted from infected birds to healthy ones through food, drink, air and open wounds. The whirligig is especially common among wild individuals and is fatal. The virus spreads quickly and is usually treatable only in the first stages.

Video - Twitching pseudoplague pigeons

Symptoms:

As soon as a whirligig is suspected, the bird must be isolated. The recommended drugs are Fosprenil, Gamavit, Lozeval, Sporovit or Albuvir. Medicines can be given through the beak or injected into the muscles. The course must be accompanied by immunomodulators. Duration of treatment - 20 days.

Folk remedy for illness: a mixture of ground wheat grain, egg yolk, milk and garlic juice. It is injected into the goiter 2 times a day for 2 days using a syringe without a needle.

The best way to avoid vertigo is vaccination. It is given to chicks in the second month after birth using the drug Colombovac PMV.

We should not forget about preventive measures: regularly change drinking water and clean feeders.

Smallpox

The disease occurs when infected with a special ultravirus. It is activated exclusively by interaction with pigeons and is transferred through water and food. The virus can infect internal organ systems and outer coverings. The likelihood of infection is especially high in early spring. At risk are individuals with a lack of vitamin A in their diet.

Smallpox has the highest mortality rate because the incubation period lasts 2 weeks or more. During this time, a sick bird can infect the entire flock.

Symptoms:

• apathy, drowsiness, loss of appetite;
• difficulty breathing, even wheezing;
• red spots, grayish and yellow growths throughout the body, especially clearly observed in the areas of the organs of vision and hearing, limbs;
• mucus discharge from the nose, eyes, fluid flows from the beak;
• in an aggravated form, the esophagus and goiter are affected.

Video - Pigeon pox. Vaccination

Treatment of a pigeon pox patient should begin by treating the inflamed areas with solutions of two percent boric acid, Lozeval, furatsilin, and lapis. The crusts are cauterized with iodine and then moisturized with baby cream (non-greasy). If the bird refuses water, then it is necessary to water it yourself.

There are no special drugs for smallpox. Albuvir and broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as the tetracycline group, may be suitable for treatment. The course of treatment lasts a week. After it, rehabilitation with the help of vitamins and amino acids is important.

To prevent infection of the entire flock, when an infection is detected, manganese, furatsilin or chloramine (one percent solutions) are added to the drinking water of birds. The dovecote is disinfected using an iodine solution using an aerosol method.

As a preventive measure, vaccination is done. It is mandatory for racing and homing pigeons to do this.

Psittacosis

With this disease, the virus enters the cells of the bird's respiratory organs and destroys them. It can withstand any temperature and remains viable in the environment for up to a couple of weeks. It spreads by airborne droplets and is always difficult. Carriers of infection must be isolated and, in hopeless cases, destroyed.

Psittacosis is one of the diseases that humans can contract from pigeons.

Symptoms:

• change in the shape of the eyes (stretched into an oval) and the color of the iris;
• loss of feathers around the eye area;
• photophobia;
• lacrimation, followed by mucus secretion, leading to eyelid sticking;
• wheezing and shortness of breath;
• weight loss;
• diarrhea;
• paralysis of joints, wings, legs.

Video - Ornithosis of pigeons. Prevention, treatment

Treatment can be carried out with medications such as Albuvir, Orni Cure, Orni Injection. Tetracycline drugs Tetracycline, Doxycyline, Nifulin-Forte cope well with infection. They process feed at the rate of 20g per 1kg. For better dilution, the medicine can be dissolved in a small amount of vegetable oil. The course of treatment should be carried out for 7-10 days. Then you need to take care of the intestines of the recovered pigeon. To protect its microflora, the drugs Gamavit, Sporovit, NormoFlor are used. It is important to replenish vitamins A, E and D3.

Prices for Gamavit

For the purpose of prevention, a complete general disinfection of the dovecote is carried out; chloramine, a two percent soda solution or formaldehyde are suitable for this. It is important that the infected individual is completely isolated. Newly acquired birds are also quarantined.

Salmonellosis (paratyphoid)

The spread of this disease is facilitated by unsanitary conditions in the poultry house and poor nutrition of the birds. The causative agent is Salmonella bacillus. It is transmitted sexually and by airborne droplets, through food and water, and through the shell of an egg. Insects and rodents are also carriers of salmonella. Salmonellosis is dangerous for humans.

Paratyphoid fever can affect:

• intestines;
• joints;
• nervous system;
• external organs, oral cavity, ear system, eyes.

Symptoms:

• general weakness, depression;
• refusal of food and drink;
• blurred eyes;
• feathers take on a ruffled appearance, lose their shine, become dirty, and seem wet;
• intestinal disorder, droppings may contain mucus or blood;
• inflamed bumps in areas where there are no feathers;
• eggs lose their ability to fertilize, individuals become infertile;
• the last stage is damage to the joints: the bird is unable to fly or move.

Video - Salmonellosis of pigeons. Prevention, treatment

Treatment of paratyphoid fever is successful in most cases. It is important to separate the sick individual from the rest, and immediately afterwards treat everything in the poultry house with an antiseptic.

For salmonellosis there are special drugs Cura L, Para Cure, Trimetasulfurazolidone.

The tetracycline group is also effective. You can give the bird pills Oxytetracycline, Biomycin, Chlortetracycline. The tablet is ground into bread crumb or dissolved in water. Course: twice a day for 5-6 days.

In chronic cases, Streptomycin can be used. It is used as follows: 50 mg of the drug is diluted in 0.5 ml of distilled water and administered intramuscularly for three days. If there are affected joints, they are lubricated with iodine. After recovery, the bird is prescribed medications to restore intestinal microflora and vitamins.

Vaccination of chicks is the first preventive measure against paratyphoid fever. The vaccination is done at the end of November with Salmo PT.

Complete disinfection is mandatory every spring: mechanical cleaning with scrapers, then wet and aerosol disinfection. You can use soda ash.

Trichomoniasis

The disease can be triggered by feeding unrefined grains and drinking dirty water. The causative agent of the infection is the Trichomonas virus. It enters the pigeon's body through the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat. In its advanced form, it affects the digestive organs and liver. The virus is easy to fight with the help of disinfectant solutions; even the weakest consistency is detrimental to Trichomonas.

The disease is contagious to humans: it is fraught with gynecological and urological diseases.

Symptoms:

• apathy, weakness;
• the plumage sticks together, the bird is unable to rise into the air;
• when the pharynx and larynx are affected, yellow spots appear, turning into plugs inside the mouth, which prevent the bird from breathing normally; as a consequence - narrowing of the larynx, suffocation and death;
• when the digestive system is damaged, the abdomen enlarges, the droppings acquire a putrid odor and develop into diarrhea;
• cicatricial trichomoniasis is characterized by the release of brown nodules on the skin.

Video - Trichomonosis of pigeons. Prevention, treatment

A special medication called Tricho Cure is used as a cure for trichomoniasis. Metronidazole, Silymarin, Ornidazole are suitable. The growths are removed with a scalpel. After surgery, the wound is treated with trichopolum, and iodine is used for disinfection.

Since the bird cannot feed on its own, it needs help: liquid gruel must be placed in its beak and carefully pushed into the crop. Probiotics (for example, Lactobacterin) can be added to food to improve food digestion.

Prices for Lactobacterin

Lactobacterin

To prevent disease in a flock, any disinfectant solutions are suitable.

Coccidiosis

Symptoms:

A number of medications relieve coccidiosis (Furagin, Coccidin, Zoalen and others). Be sure to use medications in combination with vitamins. During treatment, be sure to disinfect the dovecote.

Video - Coccidiosis of pigeons. Prevention, treatment

In order to prevent coccidiosis, vitamin supplements, good nutrition, and hygiene of the pet’s living space are important.

Breeders should be aware that sunlight and solutions with carbolic acid are harmful to oocysts.

Paramyxovirus

It poses no danger to people. Paramyxovirus is transmitted by airborne droplets and through direct contact with a sick individual. Carriers can be people, rodents and insects.

Symptoms:

There are no special drugs for the disease. The only way to combat paramyxovirus is to vaccinate all individuals. Medicines intended for this purpose: Lasot, Colombovac PMV.

Video - Paramyxovirus of pigeons. Prevention, treatment

Worms

The reasons for the establishment in the body of a pigeon are the same as in all animals. This is a violation of basic hygiene standards, poor quality nutrition, and weakened immunity. Pigeons are often infected with roundworms and whipworms. Helminths affect external and internal organs (eyes, heart, intestines, lungs, etc.). Infection occurs through contaminated droppings and by eating an earthworm.

If treatment is not taken, death occurs. Determining a specific case and making an accurate diagnosis can only be done through laboratory tests.

Symptoms:

For worms, drugs based on albendazole are prescribed (among those available is Alben). Most medications are used only after a doctor's prescription, as they have a high degree of toxicity. One-time use, without prior diet. But a post-therapy vitamin diet is necessary.

Prevention must be carried out annually. There is a list of anthelmintic drugs. They should be dosed very carefully so as not to kill the pet.

You can avoid helminths by providing the birds with proper nutrition, maintaining hygiene, and systematically disinfecting the dovecote.

Tuberculosis

Almost no deaths or mass infections of livestock with this virus have been recorded. The cause of the disease is unsanitary conditions. A pigeon can be a carrier of the tuberculosis bacillus for several months. A person can become infected from it.

Symptoms:

There are no special medicines for tuberculosis. The sick bird will have to be destroyed. After this, carry out a complete sanitary treatment of the premises where it lives with a lime solution.

For prevention, you need to regularly carry out complete disinfection of the poultry house with a chlorine solution, clean feeders, drinkers, and perches.

Candidiasis (thrush, soor)

The causative agents of the disease are yeast fungi. Their colonies disrupt the healthy functioning of the oral mucosa, larynx and crop. Adult healthy individuals are carriers of soor. A sick bird must be removed from the rest.

Causes of thrush:

• reduced immunity;
• weakness of the body after treatment of another disease with antibiotics;
• low quality grain feed;
• lack of vitamins A and B group.

Symptoms:

To treat thrush, general antibiotics are used (for example, Biomycin), Albuvir, Nystatin. Medicines are used in combination with vitamins A and B.

In a sick bird, cheesy formations must be removed and the wound treated with glycerin or iodine.

The dovecote is disinfected with a solution of formaldehyde and caustic soda.

It is not difficult to understand that a bird is sick. Signs of an unhealthy state are common to any illness: lethargy, apathy, loss of appetite. Not every pigeon breeder can make an accurate diagnosis and avoid further infection of the entire flock. Therefore, be sure to consult an experienced veterinarian.

Diseases of pigeons are characterized by quite extensive symptoms. Birds are most often affected by whirligig, smallpox, paratyphoid, psittacosis, thrush, coccidiosis and candidiasis. Diseases of pigeons often arise due to non-compliance with the basic rules of bird care. The causes of infection may be: an incorrectly formulated diet, neglect of sanitary standards or lack of preventive measures.

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Types of diseases and routes of infection

Diseases affecting birds are divided into contagious and non-contagious. Pigeons are more susceptible to disease, but adults who are kept in unsuitable conditions and do not receive enough vitamins in their food can also get sick. Diseases that affect birds include:

• Newcastle disease (whirlwind);
• psittacosis;
• smallpox;
• salmonellosis (paratyphoid fever);
• trichomoniasis;
• candidiasis;
• thrush (candidomycosis);
• coccidiosis.

The risk of infection in poultry is especially high when it comes to infectious diseases. There are two ways in total:

1. 1. Direct. In this case, a healthy individual becomes ill after contact with an infected pigeon.
2. 2. Indirect. The infection enters the bird's body through infected food, drink, and soil.

Changes in behavior or appearance may indicate the presence of a disease in the bird.



Twitch (Newcastle disease)

Newcastle disease, or whirligig, is a dangerous disease of an epileptic nature. Scientists have found that the disease is of viral origin. Every year it affects about a thousand birds. If diagnosed untimely, the bird may die.

Paramyxovirus most often affects the nervous system. The incubation period is short, only a few days. It is believed that the disease occurs in the middle ear as a consequence of smallpox. Pathogens are released into the environment long before the main symptoms appear. During this period, internal bleeding may occur.

Pigeons, wild and domestic, are the main carriers of paramyxovirus. The pathogen is transmitted through direct contact of a bird with a sick individual. In rare cases, birds can become infected through airborne droplets through contaminated drink and food.

The virus is not dangerous for humans, but people can be carriers of the virus, especially if they neglect the rules of personal hygiene.



Signs of the disease

The disease can be recognized by the first symptoms:

• change in gait;
• lethargy;
• redness of the beak and eyes;
• the appearance of diarrhea;
• convulsions;
• curvature of the neck.

The infected bird does not refuse food and drink for the first time. Externally, a sick pigeon looks untidy, the feathers are ruffled, the bird loses activity, and tries to walk less.

After diarrhea appears, the pigeon stops eating and tries to drink more. At the last stage, after the neck is bent, inflammatory processes begin in the internal organs. They lead to the death of the bone marrow and brain. Individuals who have suffered from whirlwind at an early age acquire immunity.

The disease takes a chronic form very rarely. In this situation, death is inevitable.





Treatment of whirlwind with medications and folk remedies

In the first 9 days of infection, the disease can be cured. It is important not to be late and diagnose the disease on time, otherwise the bird will die. Basic products are available in the form of capsules and solutions, for example, Fosprenil. A broad-spectrum vaccine, administered intramuscularly, usually into the pectoral muscle area. You can feed a pigeon through its beak. The drug enhances metabolic functions and blood flow in the bird’s body, supports and strengthens the pigeon’s immune system. The product has no side effects and is completely safe for birds and people.

An analogue of Fosprenil is the drug Immunofan. Instructions for use of the product do not differ from the instructions for Fosprenil. You can give the solution to a pigeon, especially if the breeder doubts that he can give the injection correctly.

The simultaneous use of two or more drugs is strictly prohibited. Consulting a specialist will help you avoid making mistakes in choosing a medicine.

Traditional medicine offers several ways to treat Newman's disease at home. It is recommended to give a sick pigeon belladonna, which is a homeopathic remedy. A special mixture is also prepared from garlic, egg yolk, a small amount of milk and ground grain. It must be inserted directly into the bird's crop. Repeat the procedure for several days.

Psittacosis

Psittacosis is one of the most severe contagious diseases that affects not only pigeons, but also other poultry. The causative agent is chlamydia. The disease has a second name - psittacosis. It can occur in two forms: acute and chronic. In rare cases, a pigeon is only a carrier of the disease.

Ornithosis poses a danger to humans. If the pathogen enters the body, there is a risk of developing pneumonia.

About 140 species of birds are at risk of contracting psittacosis. The spreaders of the disease are:

• geese, ducks;
• pigeons (domestic and wild);
• ornamental poultry;
• wild waterfowl;
• wild migratory birds.



Symptoms

Chlamydia that enters the body has an adverse effect on the respiratory tract. The reproduction process begins in the lungs, then the bacteria enter the blood and spread throughout the body. Chlamydia causes inflammation in internal organs. The incubation period lasts about 30–40 days.

The main symptoms of psittacosis include:

• runny nose;
• wheezing when breathing;
• cough;
• diarrhea (green liquid droppings);
• loss of appetite;
• profuse lacrimation;
• discharge from the eyes.

When infected with psittacosis, a pigeon has a disheveled and unkempt appearance.

Treatment of psittacosis

Sick birds must be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease. Special therapy is carried out, which includes:

• treating a pigeon with medications;
• sanitary treatment of the dovecote;
• feed processing.

Psittacosis is treated with antibiotics. The causative agents of the disease are sensitive to sulfonamides, so the drugs Erythromycin, Eriprim, Azithromycin are given to infected people in large doses. They restore the bird's immunity. These drugs are mixed with food. The course of treatment should not exceed 10 days. If the disease does not subside, the procedure must be repeated.

To strengthen the intestinal microflora, it is recommended to give a sick pigeon vitamins A, B and D.

Smallpox

Smallpox disease affects the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. The causative agent is a virus that promotes the formation of pockmarks on the skin. The infection has long-term viability: smallpox pathogens survive even at sub-zero temperatures, but die at high temperatures. Direct sunlight has a detrimental effect on viral infection.



The appearance of the disease is typical for young animals; adults most often act as carriers of the disease. External signs may not appear for about 60 days. Birds kept in inappropriate conditions and not receiving vitamins and essential nutrients are especially susceptible to infection.

Symptoms of smallpox

Symptoms of smallpox disease appear in the first week after infection. The disease most often takes an acute form, sometimes it can become chronic. The main signs of infection are:

• unkempt appearance;
• drooping wings;
• flight refusal;
• lack or decrease in activity.

Approximately on the fifth day after infection, characteristic growths appear in the beak area. At first they are small, round in shape, pale yellow in color. Over time, the formation grows and becomes red, eventually acquiring a brown tint.

The growths make breathing difficult: the bird may wheeze or breathe exclusively through the mouth.

Treatment of the disease

There are currently no medications that completely cure pigeons of smallpox. Veterinarians advise administering gamma globulin subcutaneously at 0.3 ml per animal. A mixture of adrenaline in a dosage of 1/10,000 is administered intramuscularly. It must be combined with a potassium solution, which is added to the drink.

Traditional medicine recommends treating smallpox with herbal ointments and glycerin. Such products will help dry out the growth and subsequently get rid of it. After the crust has subsided, the wound must be treated with a weak iodine solution or a 3-5% solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure will help avoid suppuration. The affected oral cavity is treated with Lugol's solution.

A pigeon severely emaciated by smallpox must be killed to prevent infection of other healthy individuals.

Paratyphoid fever (salmonellosis)

The causative agent of salmonellosis is Salmonella bacillus. Typically, the pathogen survives in droppings, eggshells, water and litter. The disease is transmitted from the female to the chicks, and salmonella also reduces the fertilization rate of eggs. Cases have been identified in which individuals cured of salmonellosis lost the ability to fly.



The disease can occur in two forms. When hidden, symptoms most often do not appear. The virus lives in the internal organs of a pigeon and is released into the environment through droppings and eggs. When the form is severe, the external signs of the disease are distinguishable. At this stage the bird in most cases dies.

Symptoms of salmonellosis

The disease has its own individual symptoms. These include:

• weakening of the muscles of the wings;
• mucus and blood in the droppings;
• bumps on the joints;
• convulsions.

When pigeons are infected with salmonellosis, their digestive system is disrupted. The limbs of the bird begin to tremble, a weakening of the muscular frame is observed, the pigeon is lethargic and inactive. The bird is unable to fly and gradually stops moving at all.

The virus affects the brain and nervous system. The bird is in a state of neurosis. When the disease is advanced, the bird falls on its back and dies.

Treatment of paratyphoid

Veterinarians note that a complete cure for the disease is possible with an integrated approach. Before starting, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures: sanitizing the dovecote and exterminating rats and mice.

Treatment of the disease is carried out with medications of the tertacycline and ampicillin groups. Polyvalent serum from cattle can alleviate the condition of a pigeon infected with salmonellosis.

You cannot self-medicate. Consultation with a specialist is required.

Traditional medicine does not guarantee a complete cure. They only help maintain the pigeon’s immunity.

Trichomoniasis

The causative agent of the disease is the flagellated bacterium Trichomonas. The peculiarity of Trichomonas is its long-term viability in an aquatic environment; the microorganism dies only when dried. It multiplies mainly in the oral cavity, goiter, esophagus and larynx.



The occurrence of the disease is caused by damage to the oral mucosa. Most often this occurs due to eating sand or coarse grains. Young pigeons suffer from trichomoniasis due to contaminated drinking water.

When the beaks of a dove and a dove come into contact, infection with trichomoniasis is possible.

Symptoms

The main symptoms include:

• immobility;
• blockage of the entrance to the larynx;
• yellow formations in the oral cavity;
• weakness;
• unkempt appearance.

The bird breathes frequently through its mouth. There is the appearance of diarrhea, diarrhea with a strong unpleasant odor, the abdomen increases in volume. Seals of varying sizes appear in the bird’s liver.

Treatment

To treat trichomoniasis, veterinarians advise using special products. These include:

• metronidazole;
• tinidazole;
• ornidazole;
• natamycin;
• silymarin.

The drugs must be used strictly according to the instructions. Traditional medicine recommends the use of iodoglycerin and Lugol's solution as auxiliary medications.

Candidiasis

The causative agent of candidiasis is a yeast-like unicellular fungus of the genus Candida. The fungus thrives in a neutral and slightly alkaline environment. With increased acidity, candida loses its ability to reproduce.



The disease develops in several stages. These include:

• beak candidiasis;
• goiter candidiasis;
• systemic candidiasis.

Signs of infection

Beak candidiasis is the easiest and most quickly curable type. Symptoms of the disease include:

• sore beak;
• the appearance of characteristic “grooves” on the horny sheath;
• swollen wax.

Goiter candidiasis can simultaneously cause oral lesions and stomatitis in birds.. The complexity of the disease lies in the fact that the symptoms are not immediately detectable. Infection can be identified by the following signs:

• a pigeon regurgitates food;
• the goiter is hot to the touch;
• the wall of the goiter is thickened, blood vessels are clearly visible;
• the bird is rapidly losing weight;
• diarrhea occurs, green droppings with white urates.

Systemic candidiasis is the most dangerous of all types. It occurs as a complication after untreated candidiasis of the goiter and digestive tract. Symptoms include:

• weight loss;
• refusal of food;
• the appearance of diarrhea;
• the appearance of scabs on the skin.

Treatment methods

Beak candidiasis is treated with special ointments containing Lamisil and clotrimazole, which are used to lubricate the horny sheath. Avoid getting the medicine inside.

To treat goiter candidiasis, a local drug is used: Pimafucin. The recommended dosage per individual is 5 mg per day. To prevent the appearance of oral candidiasis, it is necessary to treat it with Lugol and iodine-containing alcohol-free solutions. Traditional medicine advises adding fresh lemon juice or a couple of drops of apple cider vinegar to a sick pigeon’s drink. In an acidic environment, the development of the fungus stops.



Treatment of systemic candidiasis is carried out with the help of antifungal drugs: Itraconazole, Fluconazole. Before starting treatment, consultation with a veterinarian is necessary.

Thrush (candidomycosis)

Candidomycosis, or thrush, is a disease of fungal origin. Affects the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, esophagus and goiter. The causative agent of thrush is the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans. It grows into the mucous membrane and actively multiplies, leading to damage to the digestive tract.

The disease most often occurs due to improper maintenance or overcrowding of the dovecote. The incubation period ranges from 10 days to 2–3 months. The disease may be epidemic.

Symptoms appear 7–9 days after infection. These include:

• weight loss;
• lethargy and apathy;
• growth arrest;
• the appearance of diarrhea;
• unpleasant smell of rot from the beak;
• swelling of the goiter.

Prevention of thrush involves regular disinfection of the premises.

Treatment

It is recommended to treat sick birds with broad-spectrum antibiotics: Biomycin and Terramycin. Your veterinarian will help you choose the right dosage. Vitamins A and B are given as adjuncts. To suppress the infection, infected pigeons must be isolated.



Alternative medicine suggests using garlic and onions as a remedy. The juice of these plants has a detrimental effect on the development of the fungus. You can also use copper and iron sulfate. They are mixed into the feed at the rate of 1–1.5 grams per 1 kg. Treatment methods using traditional medicine will help stop the course of the disease.

If necessary, infected individuals must be destroyed.

Young pigeons are susceptible to coccidiosis. Signs of infection include:

Trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis diphtheria, flagellated infection)- one of the widespread diseases of wild and domestic breeds of pigeons. It should be noted that this disease affects the young of many species of poultry.

The cause of the disease is a flagellated microorganism from the order of protozoa - Trichomonas. The peculiarity of the pathogen is its ability to remain active for a long time in drinking water, but drying out causes its death. The causative agent of trichomoniasis is unstable in the external environment to unfavorable factors and disinfectants in normal dilutions. The main ability of the pathogen is the ability to exist and multiply for a long time on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and goiter.

The causative agent of trichomoniasis is found on the mucous membranes of all domestic pigeons, and the so-called non-sterile immunity is formed, i.e. immunity to infection of pigeons with the trichomoniasis pathogen. However, when feeding goiter milk, the pathogen enters the mucous membranes, and in the first days of feeding, adults infect the young.

The introduction of the pathogen also causes the feeding of low-quality feed containing sand and coarse grain films. They injure the mucous membranes and facilitate the penetration of Trichomonas.

The next route of infection is through young pigeons ingesting drinking water containing Trichomonas. It is possible for adult pigeons to be re-infected when a pigeon and a dove meet with their beaks.

Trichomonas can be found in young pigeons on the umbilical cord and paraumbilical ring when in the nest. The course and severity of the disease depends on several factors, and primarily on the virulence of Trichomonas and the natural resistance of the body.

Young animals mainly become ill between the 4th and 20th day of feeding. The worse the feeding conditions, the more often they are affected and the more severe the course of trichomoniasis.

There are several forms of trichomoniasis, but most of all this disease occurs in the pharynx, oral cavity, and esophagus. When infected, pigeons become motionless, sit in the nest with lowered wings, an open beak, as the entrance to the larynx is blocked; in the oral cavity on the mucous membranes there are dense yellow formations, which are called “yellow plug.” Sometimes these overlaps are visible through the open beak. After a few days, due to the increase in the yellow plug, suffocation and death occur. Other signs include weakness, inability to fly, gluing of plumage, and indifference.

When the internal digestive organs and liver are damaged, intestinal upset occurs (the so-called intestinal handicap), the droppings are liquefied, putrid, and have an unpleasant odor, and the abdomen sharply increases in volume. This form of the disease occurs in pigeons older than one month of age and is severe, ending in death. In the liver with this form, trichomoniasis lesions ranging in size from a pea to a pigeon egg are observed.

In the cicatricial form of trichomoniasis, the skin first thickens and a small yellow-brown nodule forms, penetrating deeper and affecting the internal organs. The division of trichomoniasis into these forms is conditional, since simultaneous damage to the pharynx and intestines is often observed.

If yellow plug and other lesions occur, it is necessary to differentiate from diseases with a similar course, from the diphtheritic form of smallpox, candidiasis, and the diphtheritic form of vitamin deficiency A. Accurate diagnosis is possible through laboratory examination of cultures from internal affected organs.

Treatment and prevention. In young pigeons, the coverings are removed from the oral cavity, and the contents of the crop are massaged. After removing the deposits using a cotton swab soaked in a solution of trichopolum (35 g per 2 liters of water), the same drug is instilled through a pipette into the oral cavity and goiter. To prevent fluid from entering the lungs, it can be administered through a tube. For adult pigeons to destroy carriers, add 3 g of trichopolum per 1 liter to drinking water and drink the solution for several days, constantly adding vitamins to the main diet. Skin deposits are removed with a sharp scalpel, tincture of iodine, and iodine glycerin.

In the absence of Trichopolum, the pigeon breeder can use a 0.25% solution of silver nitrate, Lugol's solution, iodine glycerin, into which the tailbone of the feather fan is dipped and the affected areas are lubricated.

Before the start of the breeding season, it is enough to treat the drinking water of adult pigeons with one of the disinfectants (Trichopol, formalin, potassium permanganate, etc.) for 6 days. It is better to carry out the treatment 4 - 8 days before hatching, and repeat the course of treatment at the beginning of feeding the pigeons.

During the feeding period of the pigeons, the drinking bowls must be kept clean, since Trichomonas multiply in stagnant water. Particular attention is paid to the processing of “nurse” pigeons purchased for raising short-beaked pigeons.

When treating pigeons, it should be borne in mind that untreated cases can be treated. Emaciated pigeons with trichomoniasis of the pharynx and internal organs cannot be cured.

In all cases, during an outbreak of trichomoniasis, it is necessary to diversify the feeding of pigeons by adding trivitamin and fish oil to the diet; clean and disinfect dovecote care items. Disinfection with a 3-4% solution of soda ash, 2% solutions of bleach or chloramine, heated to 40°C, gives good results.

Pigeons and prevention of their diseases. A.I.Rakhmakhov, B.F.Bessarabov (Moscow, Rosselkhozizdat, 1987)

In ancient years, almost every autumn, many pigeons began to sneeze. From the literature I found out that most likely it is trichomoniasis. Apparently, it was spread by sparrows at the end of August, since there were incredibly many sneezing sparrows at that time. I did not use any treatment and everything went away on its own. Since I made the dovecote inaccessible to the chirping tribe, the problem of autumn sneezes has disappeared. But this year, to top off the whirlwind epidemic, I also got trichomoniasis.

The first case was back in the summer, when one of the drummer chicks fell ill and a classic “yellow plug” formed in its throat. The second chick was healthy. I regularly lubricated the throat of the sick man with Lugol's solution, but it did not help. One day I was too overzealous with the processing and the chick's throat began to bleed. He died within a minute.
The second one grew normally, I periodically examined it, but everything was fine. And suddenly, within three days, a terrible traffic jam develops and the chick dies.
I don’t remember whether I tried giving them trichopolum or not?

In the fall, at the very beginning of the whirlwind epidemic, a young postman suddenly fell ill. A plug formed on the inside of his lower jaw, causing his muzzle to simply swell and spread out. I began to stuff him with trichopolum, the swelling went away, but the birds immediately started spinning, then his legs became paralyzed, and he soon died.
Then one of the drummers started sneezing. Examination of the pharynx yielded nothing. all is clear. But the dove sneezed more and more intensely. I started feeding him Trichopolum and vitamins, but nothing helped. The pigeon began to lose weight quickly, and mucus accumulated in its beak. To top it off, he also spun it. Died.

In winter, a Chinese gull, placed in a separate cage in the room, suddenly sneezed. On the second day her legs gave out, and on the third day she was gone. Trichopolum did not help.
In December, another drummer sneezed on the balcony. I put him in a room and gave him a course of Trichopolum. By zero. I gave him Baytril. Same effect. The bird was becoming weaker, his throat was clean, there was no mucus, but in his windpipe there was a noticeable yellowish cheesy formation, similar to a yellow plug. However, it was impossible to lubricate it with anything, since the plug was right at the entrance to the trachea.
I tried an idiotic method - I started adding a little iodine to the water. The pigeon seemed to feel better. Although I was still breathing with difficulty and wheezing, I became more active and my appetite improved. But it turned out that his legs also gave out. Then he spun around. I was getting weaker every day, just becoming more apathetic. Recently died.
About four or five days ago, another pigeon sneezed at the drummers’ place. I looked through his throat, everything was clean. Two days later the sneezing went away and my throat was still clear. The day before yesterday I noticed that another drummer, the best breeding pigeon, had a muzzle that was somehow different, and a little off. The beak and nostrils were full of snot. Yesterday everything was normal, the pigeon was cheerful and active.
Today I decided to examine it carefully and discovered one yellowish spot, similar to trichomoniasis. Again I looked into the mouth of the pigeon that sneezed last week. And he has multiple lesions in his throat and a mouth full of mucus.
I stuffed both of them with a Trichopolum tablet and went online:

TRICHOMONOSIS OF PIGEONS (TRICHOMONOSIS DIPTHERIA, FLAGELLA INFECTION)Trichomoniasis is one of the widespread diseases of wild and domestic breeds of pigeons. It should be noted that this disease affects the young of many species of poultry. The cause of the disease is a flagellated microorganism from the order of protozoa - Trichomonas. The peculiarity of the pathogen is its ability to remain active for a long time in drinking water, but drying out causes its death. The causative agent of trichomoniasis is unstable in the external environment to unfavorable factors and disinfectants in normal dilutions. The main ability of the pathogen is the ability to exist and multiply for a long time on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and goiter. The causative agent of trichomoniasis is found on the mucous membranes of all domestic pigeons, and the so-called non-sterile immunity is formed, i.e. immunity to infection of pigeons with the trichomoniasis pathogen. However, when feeding goiter milk, the pathogen enters the mucous membranes, and in the first days of feeding, adults infect the young.

The introduction of the pathogen also causes the feeding of low-quality feed containing sand and coarse grain films. They injure the mucous membranes and facilitate the penetration of Trichomonas.
The next route of infection is through young pigeons ingesting drinking water containing Trichomonas. It is possible for adult pigeons to be re-infected when a pigeon and a dove meet with their beaks.

Trichomonas can be found in young pigeons on the umbilical cord and paraumbilical ring when in the nest. The course and severity of the disease depends on several factors, and primarily on the virulence of Trichomonas and the natural resistance of the body.

Young animals mainly become ill between the 4th and 20th day of feeding. The worse the feeding conditions, the more often they are affected and the more severe the course of trichomoniasis.

There are several forms of trichomoniasis, but most of all this disease occurs in the pharynx, oral cavity, and esophagus. When infected, pigeons become motionless, sit in the nest with lowered wings, an open beak, as the entrance to the larynx is blocked; in the oral cavity on the mucous membranes there are dense yellow formations, which are called “yellow plug.” Sometimes these overlaps are visible through the open beak.

After a few days, due to the increase in the yellow plug, suffocation and death occur. Other signs include weakness, inability to fly, gluing of plumage, and indifference.

When the internal digestive organs and liver are damaged, intestinal upset occurs (the so-called intestinal handicap), the droppings are liquefied, putrid, and have an unpleasant odor, and the abdomen sharply increases in volume. This form of the disease occurs in pigeons older than one month of age and is severe, ending in death. In the liver with this form, trichomoniasis lesions ranging in size from a pea to a pigeon egg are observed.
In the cicatricial form of trichomoniasis, the skin first thickens and a small yellow-brown nodule forms, penetrating deeper and affecting the internal organs. The division of trichomoniasis into these forms is conditional, since simultaneous damage to the pharynx and intestines is often observed.

If yellow plug and other lesions occur, it is necessary to differentiate from diseases with a similar course, from the diphtheritic form of smallpox, candidiasis, and the diphtheritic form of vitamin deficiency A. Accurate diagnosis is possible through laboratory examination of cultures from internal affected organs.

Treatment and prevention. In young pigeons, the coverings are removed from the oral cavity, and the contents of the crop are massaged. After removing the deposits using a cotton swab soaked in a solution of trichopolum (35 g per 2 liters of water), the same drug is instilled through a pipette into the oral cavity and goiter. To prevent fluid from entering the lungs, it can be administered through a tube. For adult pigeons to destroy carriers, add 3 g of trichopolum per 1 liter to drinking water and drink the solution for several days, constantly adding vitamins to the main diet. Skin deposits are removed with a sharp scalpel, tincture of iodine, and iodine glycerin.

In the absence of Trichopolum, the pigeon breeder can use a 0.25% solution of silver nitrate, Lugol's solution, iodine glycerin, in which
lower the tip of the feather fan and lubricate the affected areas.

Before the start of the breeding season, it is enough to treat the drinking water of adult pigeons with one of the disinfectants (Trichopol, formalin, potassium permanganate, etc.) for 6 days. It is better to carry out the treatment 4 - 8 days before hatching, and repeat the course of treatment at the beginning of feeding the pigeons.

During the feeding period of the pigeons, the drinking bowls must be kept clean, since Trichomonas multiply in stagnant water. Particular attention is paid to the processing of “nurse” pigeons purchased for raising short-beaked pigeons.

When treating pigeons, it should be borne in mind that untreated cases can be treated. Emaciated pigeons with trichomoniasis of the pharynx and internal organs cannot be cured.

In all cases, during an outbreak of trichomoniasis, it is necessary to diversify the feeding of pigeons, adding trivitamin and fish oil to the diet; clean and disinfect the dovecote care items. Disinfection with a 3-4% solution of soda ash, 2% solutions of bleach or chloramine, heated to 40°C, gives good results.

From all of the above, I draw the conclusion that trichomoniasis may have been in my hunt for a long time and firmly. The cicatricial form of trichomoniasis is very similar to what I took for smallpox, but differs from smallpox precisely in the solid contents of the “bumps”. The intestinal form may have been in the Duchess, Swift's dove, who died yesterday. In addition, her entire mouth was filled with mucus. (I should have guessed earlier that she could have trichomoniasis)
However, the Persky also has a voluminous soft belly, maybe she has the same thing?
And why doesn’t trichopolum work?

Trichomoniasis in birds is a fairly common disease among birds, which is often found in domestic and wild breeds of pigeons. This is due to the fact that this microorganism, which is an infectious agent of the disease, is viable for a long time in a humid environment, which means it remains active, multiplying in drinking water, on the mucous membranes of the pharynx, larynx, crop and esophagus of poultry.

Veterinarians claim that trichomoniasis in pigeons, or more precisely its causative agent, can be found in all poultry that have developed non-sterile immunity. By this concept, experts mean the following feature: trichomonas is diagnosed on the mucous membranes, but the pigeons do not get sick.

Infection of an individual occurs in several ways. The most common are low quality food and dirty drinking water. Sand, grain films or other coarse foreign particles contained in poor-quality feed can injure the protective coverings of the mucous membrane, allowing bacteria to enter the body, causing trichomoniasis in birds.

An infectious disease can manifest itself in different ways. Symptoms depend on the individual’s immunity and the virulence of the virus. But as veterinary practice shows, although there are several forms of the disease, in birds in most cases it manifests itself in damage to the oral cavity, pharynx and esophagus. This is a fairly serious infection that responds well to timely treatment. If you miss time, the sick pigeon may die, infecting other birds.

Symptoms and treatment of trichomoniasis in pigeons

Lethargy, immobility, open beak, dense neoplasms “yellow plugs” on the mucous membranes, increasing every day - symptoms observed with the diagnosis of trichomoniasis in pigeons. Treatment started in a timely manner can save the bird from suffocation and death.

In addition to the listed signs, the bird may have liquid droppings with a pungent putrefactive odor and an increased abdominal volume. These signs indicate the intestinal form of trichomoniasis in pigeons. Treatment for this form is quite difficult and often the sick individual dies.

To treat the disease in birds, the drug trichopolum is used in the form of a solution. For young animals, 17.5 grams of trichopolum per 1 liter of water, for adults 3 grams of the drug per the same volume of water.

The medicine is used in the form of lotions on the sites where growths are removed from the mouth by massaging the contents of the goiter. Also, the medicinal solution is instilled with a pipette both into the bird’s beak and into the crop, avoiding liquid getting into the lungs. To prevent carriage, veterinarians recommend adding trichopolum to drinking water.

If Trichopolum is not in the pigeon breeder’s medicine cabinet, then trichomoniasis in pigeons, the treatment of which should not be postponed, can be treated with drugs such as iodoglycerin, Lugol’s solution.