Book
Pigeon Diseases
- System affections and clinical problems
System/ problem | Symptom | Etiology |
Respiratory system | Respiratory infections
make it hard for a bird to breathe and fly so they are less active and
competing pigeons will perform poorly. pigeon sneezing and/or coughing will be detected. | Viral: Herpesvirus, Influenza A (acute), Adenovirus (some),
Coronavirus |
Digestive system | Skin form: scabs and
proliferations of wattle, legs, feet, and commissures of the beak. The first
signs are usually conjunctivitis with excess lacrimation and swelling of the
eye. diphtheroid form can occur,
causing lesions on the mucosal surface inside the mouth. Secondary bacterial
invasion can cause proliferative lesions, obstructing respiration and making
eating difficult. | Viral: POX, Circovirus |
Nervous system | polyuria (not diarrhea) and central nervous signs, ranging from incoordination, difficulty picking up grains, and mild head tilt, to severe ataxia and torticollis. | Bacterial: , P multocida,Salmonella |
Locomotor system | Joint abscess: Swelling of the
elbow, tibiotarsal tarsometatarsal joint and wing, causing lameness and
inability to fly (wing droop). | Bacterial: |
Skin and feather | Skin form: scabs and proliferations of wattle, legs, feet, and
commissures of the beak. | Viral: POX |
| A mild to necrotizing pharyngitis and esophagitis are the primary symptoms. Diphtheritic membranes and general signs of illness, including neurologic abnormalities, green droppings, and anorexia, can suggest PHV infection. Vomiting with no other symptoms and inclusion body hepatitis can occur.( hepatic necrosis of any cause. Basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies are strongly suggestive of adenovirus) | PMV1 and pigeon pox virus, herpes virus and adenovirus are the most common. however, circovirus, rotavirus, parvovirus, and influenza virus cause |
Reproductive problems | embryonic or early squab death | Paratyphoid (Salmonellosis) |
Young bird sickness | slow crop emptying, regurgitation, diarrhea, weight loss, poor performance, and occasionally death. Lesions occur in the lymphoreticular system, alimentary tract, and respiratory system | circovirus infection, birds exhibit protozoal, fungal, and mixed bacterial infections associated with enteritis. Concurrent C. psittaci pneumonitis. |
Infectious diseases | Decreased appetite · Clear, watery droppings with little solid matter · Vomiting · Rapid weight loss · Death can occur rapidly, within days. | Salmonella ,
E coli , |
Diseases associated with poor management | Infected pigeons can display a variety of disease signs include weight loss, diarrhea, problems breathing, and difficulty flying. | Bacterial: Salmonella |
