Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis What is Trichomoniasis? Trichomoniais is also sometimes referred to as canker. It is a protozoal infection caused by a flagellated parasite called Trichomonas gallinae. What Symptoms Does it Cause? Trich can commonly present in two forms. Dry/Oral canker causes yellow lesions in the crop, mouth and throat. Wet/Internal canker targets the internal organs causing […]
Tapeworm
Tapeworm What is Tapeworm? Tapeworms are segmented flatworms and not often seen in pigeons as they require an intermediate host like insects or snails. What Symptoms Do They Cause? A pigeon affected with tapeworm may display an initial increase in appetite but this is then usually followed by anorexia, weight-loss, lethargy and diarrhoea. Sometimes worm […]
Strongyles
Strongyles What is Strongyles? While more commonly associated with grazing animals like horses, Strongyles, a type of nematode, is sometimes seen in our testing, especially in wood pigeons who may spend time in contaminated fields. What Symptoms Do They Cause? Symptoms include diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight-loss, and lethargy. In our experience, wood pigeons with […]
Roundworm
Roundworm What is Roundworm? Roundworm are nematodes which are common in captive pigeons but not often seen in wild birds. The adult worms are sometimes visible in the bird’s droppings, especially following treatment. What Symptoms Do They Cause? Mild cases in captive birds may produce few symptoms. More advanced cases can lead to loss of […]
Fluke
Fluke What is Fluke? Fluke are trematodes or flatworms. They are a less common finding than some other parasites and more likely to be seen in wood pigeons than ferals. What Symptoms Do They Cause? Symptoms include diarrhoea, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight-loss and, sometimes, mucousy droppings. Diagnosis Diagnosis is made by examining the faeces […]
Capillaria
Capillaria What is Capillaria? Capillaria are thread-like nematodes that infect the gastrointestinal tract. The worms themselves are tiny and very difficult to see in the droppings. What Symptoms Do They Cause? Symptoms include diarrhoea, weight-loss, ruffled feathers, and lethargy. In advanced stages, Capillaria burrow into the intestinal wall which can lead to blood in the […]
Coccidia
Coccidia What is Coccidia? Coccidia are protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria that infect the intestinal tract. Coccidia is endemic in pigeons, meaning that it is a normal part of their intestinal makeup. However, when a bird is unwell or stressed, their ability to keep the coccidia ‘in check’ is reduced which can lead to […]
Candida
Candida What is Candida? Not to be confused with Canker, Candida is a fungal infection caused by Candida Albicans, a yeast-like organism that can grow in the crop or intestines. It can be a secondary issue following a period of syringe feeding or the use of antibiotics which alter the balance of bacteria in the […]
Psittacosis
Psittacosis What is Psittacosis? Psittacosis is also known as Ornithosis or Chlamydiosis and is caused by infection with Chlamydia psittaci. It is infectious not only to other birds but also to humans. As well as via the faceo-oral route, transmission can occur via inhalation of dried droppings, feather dust, or nasal secretions. In humans, it […]
Mycoplasmosis
Mycoplasmosis What is Mycoplasmosis? Mycoplasmosis refers to infection with bacteria such as Mycoplasma columbinum and Mycoplasma columborale. Myco is commonly found in pigeons but can flare up due to stress, other illness and poor hygiene. In rescue, it is often seen in young birds hatched in a nest in a poorly ventilated or hot environment […]
E.Coli
E. Coli What is E. Coli? E. Coli is part of the normal bacterial makeup of a pigeon’s gut flora but it can flare up due to stress or other illness and cause an infection. It can affect the gastrointestinal or respiratory systems or cause a systemic infection. What Symptoms Does it Cause? A GI […]
Salmonella
Salmonella What is Salmonella? Salmonella is a bacterial infection, also sometimes referred to as paratyphoid in pigeons. Pigeons tend to suffer from pigeon‑adapted strains of S. Typhimurium. Crucially, these are slightly different from the strains usually seen in humans which means pigeon Salmonella is not commonly zoonotic. What Symptoms Does it Cause? Symptoms include loss […]
Rotavirus
Rotavirus What is Rotavirus? Rotavirus is a relatively new finding in wild pigeons having been first detected in 2016. Along with Adenovirus it is thought to be one of the pathogens behind what pigeon racers call ‘Young Bird Syndrome’. As this name suggests, it primarily affects younger birds. Rotavirus is highly contagious via the faeco-oral […]
Adenovirus
Adenovirus What is Adenovirus? Adenovirus, as the name suggests, is a virus, but it often teams up with E-Coli to produce Adeno-coli or Young Bird Syndrome. It primarily affects juvenile birds but there is a more serious version which can affect adults. It usually targets the digestive system or liver and also suppresses the immune […]
PMV
PMV Key points The understanding and treatment of PMV has arguably been hampered by secrecy caused by concerns about needing to report cases to the APHA The APHA have confirmed to us that they have no interest in wild pigeons presented to wildlife hospitals with PPMV-1 Symptoms typically associated with PMV can have other causes […]