Pigeons have a very receptive nature. They are easily affected by
ailments. Commonly, pigeon diseases are result of inadequate care.
Bacterial diseases are mostly contracted by eating infected food,
stings, bites, wounds or inhalation. Viral diseases arise from infected
drinking water, sneeze from a sick bird or other airborne contact.
Fungal diseases are spread by wind, water or contact. Protozoa are often
carried by parent birds and are passed to their youngsters by mouth.
When birds ingest worms or contact with birds carrying on them some
stage of parasite, parasitic diseases occur. Some diseases bother
pigeons because of vitamin or mineral deficiency. There is plethora of
pigeon diseases. Out of them, some of the common ones are mentioned
here. For details read the following account.
Pigeon Disease
Colds: Pigeons catch colds as in case of human beings. Major cause of colds is dampness in the loft.
Diarrhea: Generally this health problem occurs after your
pigeon has eaten sour or moldy or unseasoned grain. Eliminate any grain
that you don’t consider perfect. Feed small grains and corn to your
pigeon till its health is improved.
Going Light: The flesh of the pigeon’s body gets waste
away with this disease. The pigeon looks sick and catches diarrhea. The
latter disease is a symptom of another problem. In this case feed your
pigeon with warm milk with bread or meal in the intervening time.
Canker: This protozoan infection is very common in
pigeons. Adult birds easily catch it but mostly in the next the squabs
are struck by it. Lesions in the mouth or throat with a yellowish white
substance confirm its presence.
Roup: If pigeons are exposed to dampness or drafts during
winters, occurrence of roup can be inevitable. Its symptoms are like
cold. Nasal discharge clogs the nostrils. Isolate the infected pigeon at
the earliest; sterilize the loft and all utensils.
Pneumonia: If throat of your pigeon is parched and is
having difficulty in breathing, it may have fever or it may look sick.
This could be pneumonia. Keep the area warm and drafts away from them.
Egg Binding: Sometimes a hen faces problems in passing an
egg. This problem can be solved if you bathe the vent with some warm
water and put some warm olive oil on it, the egg will pass on out
easily.
Malaria: It is attacked by protozoa in pigeons. The
protozoa target the red blood cells of pigeons. The symptoms of this
disease are blurred. This disease is not easily treated. To prevent this
disease provide clean food and water to your pigeon. Keep the cage of
your pigeon clean and tidy.
Coccidiosis: This pigeon disease is one of the extremely
infectious diseases. Mostly it is caused due to protozoan. Young pigeons
subjected to scrupulous stress are the targets of these protozoa. This
disease can be identified by inactivity, loss of weight and low diet.
This disease can lead to death, thus, should be cured at the earliest.
Pigeon Pox: This is a viral disease which attacks the skin and / or mucous membrane.
Other pigeon diseases are ornithosis, encephalomylitis, paramyxovirus, aspergillosis, thrush etc.
Treatment:
Keep the birds warm and administer cod liver oil. Consult your
feed store to make breathing easier and curing roup. Treat pneumonia
with antibiotics. For diarrhea, give a dose of castor oil or Epsom salts
to clear out the bird’s system. Always consult a veterinarian when your
pigeon suffers of an ailment. Never try to cure a pigeon at your own.
Prevention:
- Keep pigeon lofts clean and dry.
- Feed clean and fresh water and food.
- Vaccine them against pox.
- Treat cuts and abrasions of pigeon immediately.
For preventing your pigeon from certain diseases it is essential for
you to monitor pigeon activities daily. It will definitely help you to
maintain your pigeon’s health. Care nicely and consult veterinary once
in every three months. Thus, you can keep your pigeon free from pigeon
disease and the troublesome experiences.
Source:www.petcaregt.com