Ongoing evaluation of PMV RATS.
Recently Paramyxovirus (PMV) Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) have been developed for use in chickens. The PMV that causes disease in chickens is very similar to that in pigeons. Over the last month, Stevan Gazzola of Meadow One Loft Race in Melbourne and myself have been working to see if these tests could be validated for use in pigeons. The reason for this is that PMV RATs would be potentially very useful for pigeon fanciers. The tests are cheap ( about $20 ) , quick ( results are available in under 10 minutes ) and can be done by the fancier at the loft. Currently PMV is diagnosed either by a PCR test ( which costs over $140 , needs to be done through a vet and can take 5 days or more ) or by histopathology . Histopathology involves microscopic examination of tissues and costs over $400 , it can also only be done through a vet and it can take over a week to get results.
The signs associated with PMV are similar to those caused by other diseases. Typically the birds become a bit fluffed up, have a reduced appetite and in particular produce very watery droppings. These symptoms are the indication to the fancier that his birds might have PMV. The value of a RAT is that a fancier can quickly, cheaply and easily determine if the problem is PMV at the loft.
The other potential benefit of a RAT is in One Loft races. In OLRs, PMV has been identified as being the main cause of ill health and death. Control comes down to protecting the birds from infection through vaccination and minimising entry of the disease through testing. The availability of a RAT makes the screening of birds for PMV as they arrive at the OLR feasible.
What is a RAT?
The PMV Rapid Antigen Test ( RAT ) detects the presence of PMV proteins in a sample. Typically any tissue or site in the body that potentially contains PMV can be used as the test sample. In chickens the usual sample is a swab from the throat or swabs from the kidneys or spleen collected at autopsy. In pigeons the usual sample tested is a swab that has been wiped through the droppings. To conduct the test the swab is put into a small plastic test tube that contains a clear liquid. This clear liquid extracts the PMV protein from the sample. Several drops of the liquid are then placed on a test paper. A single coloured line appears on the test paper after a few minutes if the test has been done correctly. If a second line appears this indicates that PMV protein is present. The PMV RAT test works exactly the same way as a Covid RAT test except that the test paper has been sensitised to the PMV virus , rather than the Covid virus.
How does a RAT work?
Rapid Antigen Tests are immunoassays. Immunoassays are quick and accurate tests that can be used on-site and in the laboratory to detect specific molecules. Antibodies are proteins generated by animals in response to the invasion of a foreign molecule (antigen) into the body .Immunoassays rely on the inherent ability of an antibody to bind to the specific structure of a molecule. Antibodies are found in blood and tissue fluids and will bind to the antigen whenever it is encountered. Monoclonal antibodies are a group of antibodies that are all the same having been produced to target a specific disease causing agent. The monoclonal antibodies in the PMV RAT are specific to the viral glycoprotein haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) on the PMV virus surface. . Monoclonal antibodies are impregnated into the test paper and bind to one of the structural proteins on the virus surface leading to a visible colour change. This causes the result line to appear on the test paper that we can see. If PMV is not in the sample the line does not appear .
The Investigation in Melbourne
Birds arriving at a OLR from many different lofts presented an ideal opportunity to use the PMV RAT and see if it worked in pigeons. lnitially we were concerned that although the chicken and PMV viruses are similar that they may be sufficiently different that the test would not work in pigeons.
As birds arrived at the loft they were tested. Most birds were negative but some returned positive results. These birds looked well but as RATs are usually very specific the suggestion was that these birds must have been infected with PMV but have had sufficient immunity ( either though being vaccinated or passively acquired from their vaccinated parents) to prevent them from becoming unwell. As testing continued more birds that appeared well returned positive results . As it was unlikely that all of these birds would have sufficient immunity to prevent the development of disease we became suspicious of the results. Basically the test results were not matching what was happening clinically. We then realised that most of the birds that returned a positive test result had , in fact , been recently vaccinated. We contacted the manufacturer of the RATs and also the makers of the vaccine, Zoetis. The suggestion was that as the antibodies in the RAT are specific to the viral glycoprotein haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN ) on the virus surface, the antibodies in the PMV RAT must be detecting the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase HN protein in the vaccine. The recommended vaccine , Poulvac, is an inactivated PMV strain called the LaSota strain. The virus is grown in specific pathogen free (SPF ) eggs and then inactivated and formulated in a base to make the vaccine. The suggestion was that after vaccination the inactivated virus HN glycoprotein ( or an antigenic fragment of the protein antigen ) on the vaccine virus surface was being secreted through the bowel wall where the monoclonal antibodies in the RAT were detecting its presence . It was predicted that these HN proteins would therefore be present in the droppings either if the bird had PMV or had been vaccinated recently. However as our investigation continued some completely healthy birds that had not been vaccinated also returned a positive result. It became clear to us that there was something else in the droppings that the test was reacting to. Just what this might be is unclear but it is likely to be a HN protein from either a bacteria or non- harmful virus. This meant that, where droppings were used as the test sample , this test was returning too many false positive results to be useful as a screening test to detect PMV in pigeons.
As mentioned above in chickens the usual sample tested in a live bird is a throat swab. This is reasonable because in most birds, including chickens, PMV targets the respiratory tract ( as well as the bowel and nervous system ) and so PMV would be expected to be there. PMV in pigeons however is different. Respiratory symptoms are not typically associated with the disease. In pigeons the virus targets the pancreas, bowel , kidneys and later in the course of the disease the nervous system. Because of this it may well be that PMV in pigeons is not shed through the respiratory tract and so a RAT would be negative even if the bird had the disease.
At the time of writing, what we are now investigating is :-
1/ what are the agents in the droppings that are triggering a “false “ positive result to the test
2/ is PMV shed through the respiratory tract in pigeons, if it is this would mean that a RAT could be used to screen pigeons for PMV using a throat swab as the sample ( rather than droppings )
3/ will recent vaccination affect the results of a throat swab PMV RAT
Our plan is to now test birds that have been confirmed as having PMV ( either by PCR or histopathology ), as well as also testing vaccinated birds and healthy non vaccinated birds all using a throat swab as the sample
There is no evaluation data on interference between PMV antigen products like RATS and PMV vaccines and so this is new knowledge. It has been a time consuming ( and at times disappointing ) enterprise and we have had to spend some money to get where we are but considering the benefit of making a PMV RAT available to Australian pigeon fanciers it is worth continuing.
If PMV vaccination interferes with PMV RATS why doesn’t Covid vaccination interfere with Covid RATS.
After Covid vaccination , Covid proteins are not excreted through the respiratory tract. As it is the respiratory tract that is sampled a vaccination against Covid will not affect a Covid RAT test. By comparison , after PMV vaccination , viral proteins are thought to be shed into the sample that is tested ie the droppings and will therefore yield a positive result for a period of time.
PMV RATs and One Loft Races.
I have been working with Stevan Gazzola of Meadow OLR. Stevan is extremely motivated to do all that is possible to keep the birds under his care for the OLR as healthy as possible. In OLRs PMV has been identified as being the main cause of ill health and death. Control comes down to protecting the birds from infection through vaccination and minimising entry of the disease through testing. The current recommendation is that birds being sent to OLRs be vaccinated at 3 weeks of age and then kept at the home loft until 5 weeks of age before shipping to the OLR. It is hoped that with time as we learn what is the best sample to test and also the potential interference by recent vaccination on test results ,that upon arrival birds could be effectively screened for the disease by having a PMV RAT . Birds that are negative would then be vaccinated again and allowed to enter the loft. Birds that are positive on the PMV RAT would be either returned to the owner or euthanised.
Insert attached image here
Caption PMV indicating the position of HN glycoprotein on the surface of the virus that is detected by the PMV RAT
The RAT Future
During the last weeks I have spoken to two European avian vets. More RATs are on the way. With both the increase in awareness of RATs thanks to Covid and advances in technology it is likely that in the next few years RATs for other common diseases such as Rota, Herpes , Salmonella and Chlamydia will become available. These will be handy diagnostic tools for the fancier to use at home particularly for those that don’t have ready access to an avian vet
Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA. Is it better to breed down through a hen or cock line?
An easy way , I find, of understanding what a cell is like in the body is to imagine a cell to be like a plastic bag full of fluid . This fluid is called the cytoplasm while the “bag “ is called the cell membrane. In the fluid floats a roughly spherical structure called the nucleus. This nucleus contains DNA . This nucleus DNA contains the genetic instructions for the development of that organism. Nuclear DNA is found in almost every cell in the avian body including red blood cells ( unlike mammals ).Every individual has its own unique DNA. Other structures, called organelles, also float in the fluid . Each have their own vital function in maintaining the cell. One type of organelle is called a mitochondria.
Although mitochondria, like the other organelles, are an integral component of the cell they have their own separate origin. Incredibly back in the distant past they were free –living algae that became engulfed by a primitive cell and have remained there ever since. Being originally separate organisms they have their own separate DNA. The special function of mitochondria is that they enable the cell to use oxygen to release energy. Another feature of mitochondria is that they are only inherited through the female line. The reason for this is that animal ova (eggs) contain a lot of mitochondria while sperm don’t have very many and those that do, don’t survive in the fertilized egg. This means that although all pigeons, both cocks and hens, inherit their mitochondria DNA from their mother, that it is only the hens that can, in turn, pass it on to their own offspring. Characteristics ,therefore ,that are associated with mitochondrial DNA are inherited only from the mother in both cocks and hens. Cocks and hens bred from the same hen will have the same mitochondrial DNA. In fact, any two pigeons will have an identical mitochondrial DNA sequence if they are related by an unbroken female line.
Mitochondria DNA, however, makes up only a small percentage of the overall avian genome, about 0.1%. What traits are inherited from mitochondrial DNA? What is its significance as far as enabling birds to win races? In pigeons we don’t really know. In mammals it has been shown that variants in mitochondrial DNA may influence lifespan, body size, liver and kidney function, and blood counts. It is possible that mitochondrial DNA in birds might control similar functions and some of these may in turn affect winning ability but so far, we just don’t know. However, as explained above, what we do know is that if mitochondrial DNA is in any way related to a pigeons ability to win then it is the hen that will pass this on to the youngsters. In turn it will only be her daughters which will be able to maintain these genes in the loft. Even though the cocks inherit the mothers mitochondrial DNA they cannot pass it on.
By complete contrast to mitochondria , the DNA in the cell nucleus is inherited more or less equally from both parents. This nuclear DNA makes up 99.9% of the overall genome and controls most of the body’s functions with the exception of the release of energy from nutrients through an oxygen based metabolism that remains the function of mitochondria.
In mammals the 2 chromosomes that determine sex are the X and Y chromosomes. Female mammals have two identical (XX) sex chromosomes while males have an X and Y (XY). It is therefore the father that determines the sex of any offspring .In birds the sex chromosomes are called the Z and W chromosomes. In contrast, birds have a ZZ–ZW determination system and it is the hens that have the different sex chromosomes .The hen is ZW and the cock is ZZ. All hens inherit a W chromosome from their mother, which means all traits that are only found on the W chromosome come from their mother. W linked traits therefore follow a clear maternal lineage.
Each bird inherits 50% of its non - sex genes from each parent however as the sex determining chromosome (W) contains fewer genes this means that hens (ZW ) actually inherit 51% of their genes from their father ( ZZ ) and 49% from their mother. This means that characteristics not associated with mitochondrial DNA or the W ( sex determining ) chromosome can be carried by either the cock or hen.
However, even if we were able to determine which characteristics enabled a pigeon to win ( eg the way energy was released to the muscles, orientation ability, determination etc etc ) ,we would then need to identify which genes controlled these characteristics and indeed on which chromosome these genes were then located . Except for a very few genes this currently is not known. However if the hens and cocks were trained similarly and it was the hens that were winning, and not the cocks, then it is probably more likely that the winning genes are on the W chromosome. It would then make sense to breed down through the hen line. If the winning genes are on the Z chromosome then because cocks have two Z chromosomes then the cock line might be better to persist with. Having said all of that however, breeding to a particular line is not straightforward. It may, in fact, be the interaction of genes on both the Z and W that create the winning formula.
Just how to mate pigeons to stabilise the required genes is a complex business. In pigeons, often external characteristics, for example, a third bar in some Houben families ,are linked to the ability to win races. Inbreeding can eliminate winning genes but it can also concentrate them. It makes sense that inbred birds that have the external characteristics of winning birds in that family are more likely to in-turn breed winners themselves. Inbred birds have reduced genetic variation and are therefore likely to breed predictably . This means that if inbred birds carry the winning genes then they are more likely to breed successful birds. A winning bird produced by crossing two unrelated birds has significant genetic variation and is therefore less likely to breed many birds as good as itself.
In my own loft, like most lofts, most of the winners are hens. I find that winning hens breed winning hens. To me this suggests that the W chromosome and mitochondrial DNA, that can only be inherited from the mother, is relevant ( at least in my loft anyway ). I try to mate these successful hens to the sons of successful hens, or cocks that have won themselves ,hoping that the second Z chromosome and nuclear DNA that they are carrying will compliment that of the hen
Already in Europe certain genes have been associated with an increased likelihood of performing well. Certain labs offer a service where birds can be screened to see if they have these genes. As molecular biology advances it is likely that these screening tests will become more sophisticated.
As the art of breeding is increasingly assisted by science and knowledge there will always be that element of uncertainty as to just what any given mating will produce. It is probably this bit of mystery that makes each breeding season so interesting.
Squeaker Sales
The last few months has seen many squeaker sales conducted with a few still to be held. Squeaker sales have great potential to disseminate disease. I would encourage the organisers of these events to insist, or at least suggest ,to fanciers putting squeakers into these events, that as a minimum, the birds be vaccinated against PMV and Rota. When introducing a squeaker from another loft you are introducing any disease from that squeakers loft into your own. PMV, Rota, Circo, Herpes, Chlamydia, Salmonella, resistant strains of canker and even just worms are all common and are just some of the diseases that can enter a loft with a squeaker. It really is a matter of “buyer beware”.
VRPB Update
The VRPB, at this stage is planning to meet in February. The VRPB has been busy throughout 2022. One of the aims of the VRPB is to keep fanciers abreast of pigeon racing issues that affect the state as a whole. To this end, information on Victoria’s new Animal Welfare Act, doping , weather and release protocols has been presented. In addition ,a mini trial attempting to validate a PMV RAT has been initiated. This information has been presented in the Journal and also placed on the VRPB website. It is hoped that this information is of use to clubs, federations and fanciers throughout Victoria. It is pleasing , now that we have an elected representative state body, that matters such as these can be universally and uniformly addressed.
The VRPB Veterinary Health Management Fund
As regular readers would be aware the VRPB is keen to proceed with further various veterinary investigations and to this end has established a Veterinary Health Management Fund so that these can proceed. One investigation –validation of the PMV RAT has been initiated.The fund is steadily building.
Planned investigations are : -
a/ to investigate the high mortality rate and catastrophic losses associated with OLRs.
OLRs operate in most states and are supported by many fanciers across state borders. Failing to solve this problem tarnishes the reputation of the loft operators, damages the sport generally and runs the risk of the sport being exposed to Animal Welfare concerns.
The principle causes of these mortalities will be investigated through a logical and thorough veterinary diagnostic process. This would involve live bird testing, autopsy, microscopic examination of tissues and various specific tests such as PCRs and bacterial cultures to find out exactly why birds are becoming unwell and dying.
b/ to conduct a mini vaccination trial to develop an effective vaccination protocol to protect young pigeons before and soon after weaning from PMV.
With the increased transfer of young pigeons between states due to One Loft Racing, squeaker sales and the sale of race teams, a review of the current PMV vaccination protocols has been suggested to find proven ways of protecting young pigeons before being placed in these high risk situations. Anecdotally it appears that vaccinating birds at 3 and 5 weeks of age , if not offering complete immunity, does stimulate sufficient immunity to significantly reduce the severity of the disease. In the proposed trial, blood would be drawn from ten , three week old squeakers to ensure they have no immunity. They would then be vaccinated and blood drawn every 2 weeks to track their developing immunity levels. If the youngsters became immune then altered vaccination protocols could then be recommended with confidence. As it appears that PMV is a significant cause of disease and death in young birds associated with OLRs, squeaker sales and the sale of race teams, offering fanciers a way of protecting their birds that had been shown to effective would benefit us all.
c/ to investigate emerging diseases that have the impact to affect bird health and racing nationally. Herpes virus ( causing Inclusion Body Hepatitis) is a concern at the moment. The starting point would be to find out just how prevalent the problem is. This can be done by running some pan Herpes PCRs at the University of Melbourne. The University has offered the VRPB a discounted price of $80/ test and about 60 would need to be done.
4/ Validation of PMV RATs. This has now been initiated with the assistance of Stevan Gazzola of the Meadow One Loft Race.
5/ To investigate the cause of “fat eye “ and its relationship to Rota virus , if any.
Thank you to all of the organisations and individuals who have already donated. Those wishing to contribute can contact VRPB treasurer Eddie Swatkowski. His email is [email protected] All donations will be most gratefully received so that this work can proceed.
FCI News
The FCI will hold the next Pigeon Olympiade in Maastricht, The Netherlands on the 26th to 28th January 2024. Key points of discussion will be Avian Flu and animal welfare. It is likely that the IVPA ( International Veterinary Pigeon Association) will organise a conference on the last Saturday in November this year in Belgium
Supply of Australian Pigeon Company Products
It is of great concern to me that a number of pigeon product suppliers and outlets are misrepresenting products that they are selling as being either from the Australian Pigeon Company ( APC ) or the same as our APC products. I notice that some product suppliers have copied text from our labels onto their own and given their products names or initials that are easily confused with established Australian Pigeon Company products. Particularly over the last 4 weeks during a number of loft visits, fanciers have shown to me which APC products they are using and where surprised to learn, after I looked at them, that they were not from us. The fanciers thought they were using products from us when in fact they were using similarly priced but poorer quality imitations. Australian Pigeon Company products are registered, which means they have passed the high manufacturing standards required by the regulatory authorities in Australia, are blended in a facility that prepares products to a human standard and have formulations based on solid veterinary knowledge. Unregistered products are not regulated and the suppliers / manufacturers of these products can literally make up contents and expiry dates and in my experience do. The APC has been operating now for over 30 years and was the “original” Australian company making and supplying both prescription medication and health supplements to Australian pigeon fanciers. I had a curious experience at a pigeon convention last year where a stall holder, who obviously did not know me, told me that the products he was selling were exactly the same as Dr Walker’s. He was taken aback to learn that I was Dr Walker. The products were cheap imitations of APC products. If you have any queries about APC products or indeed any pigeon product you will find Laura and Tracey at the APC very knowledgeable and keen to help. They have been with the APC for over 15 years and are able to assist with many pigeon queries and are very familiar with getting any products that you require to you as economically as possible. The number to call is 0450400034. If you have any health or other veterinary queries you are welcome to ring me . My number is 0412481239. At the APC we are dedicated to ensuring that you get excellent value for any dollar spent and keen to provide you with any veterinary support that you may need.
Pigeon donation to the University of Melbourne.
Each year for the last 15 years Victorian fanciers have donated 30 birds to the veterinary clinical centre at the University of Melbourne. The birds are housed in a purpose built loft and used to teach final year veterinary students basic handling skills and veterinary procedures such as blood collection, collection and examination of a crop flush and clinical examination. Once again Professor Amir Noormohammadi on behalf of the University has requested birds. Victorian fanciers are pleased to do what they can to help train the avian veterinarians of the future.
Medical Problems in Young Pigeons
Avoiding stress in young pigeons will do much to prevent disease. In Australia, most fanciers wean youngsters from early November until the end of February. In the northern hemisphere, this occurs six months earlier. During these weaning months, most lofts are progressively filling with youngsters .Many normal features of the young pigeons’ existence, such as moulting and establishing their perch in a new loft, provide unavoidable stress. Most growing pigeons can tolerate a single stress but, when stresses start to overlap, opportunistic infection can take advantage of the birds’ weakened immune system and the youngsters can become sick. In addition, in some areas the weather during these months is changeable and humid: conditions that favour the spread of disease.
Minimising stress
Ways that fanciers can minimise stress in their young birds include:
• Avoiding overcrowding. Ideally, no more than 25 birds in a 2x2x2 metre section.
• Providing a seed mixture of good quality and in adequate quantity, given at regular intervals. The seed should be clean, free of dusts and moulds, and contain sufficient levels of protein for growth and moulting. I work with a basic mix of about 35% dun peas, 18% safflower, 20% corn, 12% milo, 10% wheat and 5% small seeds.
• Providing grit and a pink mineral. Grit should always be in front of the growing youngster. It contains the calcium that is vital for the formation of a healthy skeleton. A pigeon is independent at four weeks, and can reproduce at six months. This is analogous to a human being full-grown at five months of age and sexually mature at two and a half years. With such a phenomenal growth rate, nothing must be lacking. The bones are genetically programmed to increase in size and if calcium is lacking they will not be as strong as they should be. Pink minerals provide not only calcium but also a range of vitamins and minerals. Regular use of a water-soluble
multivitamin is also useful.
• Enabling adequate rest periods. The young bird must develop a bond with the loft and a perch within it, and must feel secure when there. People tell me that pigeons get used to anything, such as backyard dogs, incinerators, and kids playing directly in front of the loft, but I think, drawing an analogy with some people that live on
a busy road, that just because they get used to it does not mean they like it.
• Providing a good loft. Essentially, a pigeon loft must be dry without being dusty and provide adequate ventilation without exposing the birds to extremes of heat and cold.
• Keeping the loft clean. Regular cleaning removes germs and provides a healthier environment.
• Keeping groups of young birds together. Young birds will form groups within the loft as part of their basic flocking instinct. Fanciers may note that youngsters weaned on the same day may still be sharing the same section within the loft as adults. Young birds are easily intimidated by older birds.
• Controlling internal and external parasites. Both internal and external parasites drain the body of nutrition that would otherwise be available to the growing youngster.
• Correct timing of pigeon pox vaccination. The two constraining parameters are the date racing starts and the age of the birds. Race programs in all Australian states are different. Pigeons should not be vaccinated closer than six weeks to the start of racing, as usually scabs are carried for four to six weeks post-vaccination. Birds
carrying these scabs are infectious and therefore ineligible for competition. The pigeon pox vaccine is live and gives the birds a mild dose of the disease. In birds facing other stresses, this may be sufficient to induce clinical outbreaks of diseases such as canker or respiratory infection that werenot apparent. Obviously, this is more likely to occur the younger the pigeons are at vaccination. All young birdswithin the loft should be vaccinated at the one time.
• Correct timing of PMV , Rota and Salmonella vaccination. Full details can be found on the Victorian Racing Pigeon Board site at www.vrpb.org.au
• Checking the youngsters regularly for illness and ensuring that ill birds are separated, accurately diagnosed
and treated. Beware the overuse of drugs, which can interfere with the ongoing natural exposure of the developing pigeon to potentially infectious organisms. Incorrect use of drugs at this time may in fact render the team more vulnerable to disease.
• Establishing a routine that is familiar to the young bird.
Management of disease
Overlapping stresses in the form of environmental or management flaws, or failure to control primary diseases such as parasitism, can trigger a disease outbreak. Occasionally, in the best lofts under good managers, disease will occur despite good control of young birds’ stresses. I find it convenient to divide the diseases
of young birds into four groups based on the signs observed.
1/Canker. Fanciers will be familiar with the thick yellow scum that occurs in the throat of youngsters. Affected birds should be separated and treated. To treat individual birds a 1/4 of a metronidazole (e.g. "Flagyl") 200mg tablet or whole carnidazole (e.g. "Spartrix") 10mg tablet once daily until well can be used. This usually takes one to three days. Alternatively, the unwell youngster’s water can be medicated with ronidazole 10% (e.g. "Turbosole") 3g/2L of water. It is important, however, to ensure that the unwell youngster is still able to drink. The group of youngsters, as a whole, should only be treated if more than 10% of youngsters are showing signs, usually with
"Turbosole" for three to four days.
2. Respiratory signs. In young birds, this usually appears as either a dirty cere or ‘one eye cold’. Severely affected youngsters can have trouble looking after themselves in the loft and should be separated. Mildly affected birds are left in the loft. Unwell birds are treated with doxycycline 25mg once daily. If more cases are developing every
day, or more than 10% of youngsters are affected the flock can be given doxycycline 12% (e.g. "Doxyvet") 3g/2L of water. However, in this situation it is likely that there is some underlying management or environmental flaw which will need to be corrected to prevent ongoing problems. I find the presence of mucus in the throat an unreliable
indicator of respiratory infection in young pigeons. All pigeons have approximately 1.5ml of mucus in the throat all the time. The level of mucus may increase with respiratory infection but this is difficult to quantify. Similarly, I am cautious in diagnosing respiratory infection if the birds pant after exercise. Birds with respiratory disease may pant excessively but this is affected by too many other factors, such as the stage of the moult, level of fitness and heat of the day, to be a reliable indicator.
More than 90% of respiratory disease in young pigeons is due to chlamydia or mycoplasma. The organisms are already in the systems of many young birds and clinical disease is triggered by stress. When the birds are stressed, the organisms increase in number and can move to several sites throughout the body, including the respiratory
and gastrointestinal tracts.
During these Chlamydial flare-ups, it is important that the fancier provides a healthy loft environment to ensure that the birds’ immune system is maximally functional in order to help control the infection. Sources of ongoing stress, such as overcrowding, must be eliminated. In addition, chlamydial drugs are used to control
clinical disease before significant damage can be done. The aim of treatment in young birds is not to eliminate the organism but to reduce the chlamydial level to a point where it is no longer causing problems. Even in the best managed lofts, several flare-ups would be expected in Australia between January and May. By May, the birds are older, fitter and have finished moulting, and many problems become self-limiting. Once on treatment, birds stop shedding the organism and so recovering more severely affected birds can be returned to the loft. Young birds in particular respond better to medication once back on their own perch and with other pigeons.
3. Bowel signs. Look for discolored droppings with a higher than normal fluid content. Affected youngsters are usually quiet and underweight. The three most common causes are coccidia, ‘thrush’ and E coli, although worms are a problem in some lofts. Microscopic examination of a faecal smear is necessary to determine the actual
problem. If coccidia is involved, then the entire group of youngsters can be given toltrazuril (e.g. "Toltravet") 25mg/ml, 5ml/1L on days 1, 2, 5 and 6). This does not interfere with developing immunity. ‘Thrush’ and E.coli, if mild, can be successfully treated with probiotics (e.g. "Probac") ½ teaspoon to 2 litres or, if advanced, a
sulphur-based antibiotic (e.g. "Sulpha AVS") 3g to 4 litres for 4 days). These problems can reflect loft stresses, which will need to be corrected to stop the ongoing need for medication
4. Very sick or dying youngsters. Here affected birds are fluffed up, reluctant to move and often underweight, with a reduced appetite. The diseases mentioned earlier can, in their most severe forms, appear like this and usually testing for these is done initially. However, the generalised form of paratyphoid, Aspergillus (a fungus that
affects the respiratory system) and the viral diseases Herpes virus, Adeno virus, PMV , Rota and Circo virus, must be considered. Often, one or more birds need to be submitted for autopsy and the relevant tissue samples submitted for examination by an avian pathologist. In this situation, it is best to seek veterinary advice.
Parasites
Both internal and external parasites can also be a problem in youngsters. However, in a well-managed loft these should not occur in the stock loft and therefore should not be present in the weaning youngsters. They can, however, enter the loft with late returning race birds, strays and youngsters deliberately introduced. Roundworms and hairworms, if present, should be totally eliminated. A common treatment is moxidectin (2mg per ml, 5ml per litre for 24 hours in the drinking water). This will eliminate all mites including air sac mite and approximately 80% of lice. If lice are a problem, then to completely eliminate them the birds will need to be dipped. This can be safely done from six weeks of age. Permethrin is commonly used.
Some mites (but not lice) can survive in the cracks and crevices of the loft. In this situation the moxidectin can be repeated at four-week intervals or, alternatively, the loft can be sprayed with permethrin. Pick a warm day, move the youngsters out of the section, and spray the permethrin on to the scraped surfaces of the loft. These will dry within a couple of hours and the youngsters can be reintroduced. Permethrin is a residual insecticide and has the advantage of controlling mosquitoes, pigeon flies, and other insects (which can carry tapeworm) for up to four months. Tapeworm, if a problem, can be treated with moxidectin combined with praziquantel.
Use of medications
Many of the medications routinely used during racing can have side effects in the growing and moulting bird, compromising feather quality and bone development and interfering with the development of natural immunity. Similarly, the appearance of disease during this time is often associated with environment or management problems, which must be corrected to avoid the ongoing need for medication. Medication is usually only part of the answer to health problems in the young bird loft and is certainly not an alternative to a good loft environment and sound management practices.
Overseas products compared to Australian made
I had an interesting conversation with a Victorian country fancier this month. He had gone to the trouble and expense of importing a supplement from Europe. During a recent visit there he had had a number of fanciers explain that out of all the products available to them that this was the one that really made a difference, with the birds looking much better while they were on it. He sent me a photo of the ingredients listed on the label. The product was virtually identical to the Australian Pigeon Company’s Multiboost but was about half its strength ( which meant that you only had to add half the amount of Multiboost ). Obviously the two products are based on the same nutritional science. Fanciers should not under-rate the products available in Australia. Every veterinary medicine that is available overseas is available here and in fact some that are not available in some countries eg Emtril, are available here. The health promotants and supplements made by the established veterinary based companies are as good as those from anywhere in the world . Similarly, overseas there are plenty of poor quality products just as there are here .
Nest felt deaths
Fanciers may recall that several years ago some lofts experienced virtually 100% mortality in their one and two day old chicks in the nest during the breeding season. On investigation all lofts had used nest felts supplied by one particular pigeon product supplier. As it turned out, rather than supplying nest felts specifically made for pigeons the supplier had bought a roll of carpet underlay and cut out circles of the same size and sold them to pigeon fanciers as nest felts. Carpet underlay is often impregnated with an insecticide. The freshly hatched chicks because of the immaturity of their respiratory system , small size and intimate contact with the nest felts were poisoned by the insecticide. At the time, thorough testing of the dead chicks was done which led to a paper being presented at that annual avian veterinary convention on the problem. I have had several fanciers contact me again this season with a similar story. Please ensure that if you use nest felts that they are specifically made for use in pigeons
Ask the Vet
1/ I was hoping you might be able to help me out. I put my stock birds together on the 18th of November. I was a bit late this year because I was overseas for a month when the racing season finished. The problem I’m having is that my 2 best stock hens haven’t laid eggs yet. They are both 8 years old. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
How frustrating. There is some information on page 371 of “The Pigeon” in the ‘Problems of the Breeding Season’ section. In valuable birds often the best thing to do is get an avian vet to endoscopically examine the ovary. Cysts, tumours, infections and hormonal imbalances can all occur and once diagnosed can then be addressed.
2/ I live in Israel. One of my young pigeons has his beak open gasping for air. He looks like a pigeon that is panting after flying on a hot day but he does it all the time. What could this be? What can I give him?
Many things can cause difficulty in breathing in pigeons and so unfortunately it is not possible to advise you of the actual cause in this case . Potential problems range from an injury leading to bleeding into an airsac, a trichomonad abscess that has invaded from the crop wall into the windpipe and internal infections that cause organ enlargement or fluid retention that prevent distension of the lungs or airsacs. If the problem is an infection it could be due to a virus such as Herpes, PMV or Rota. Bacteria including Klebsiella and Pseudomonas can also infect the respiratory tract. It would be best to take the bird to an avian vet. Once a diagnosis has been made this would not only enable accurate treatment but likely also provide information that would help prevent further birds from developing the same problem. If it is not possible to go to an avian vet you could try a daily dose of Baytril and Flagyl given directly to the beak.
3/ I have a stock bird whose life ring has become too tight. The skin is now growing up each side of the ring. How should I remove this?
Once the ring has become this tight, removal can be difficult without damaging the leg. Most vets use a Dremel for this job . The burr attachment is put on . This is then gently moved backwards and forwards across the ring. This can generate significant heat and so usually water is dripped over the burr site. Because of the need to keep the bird absolutely still most vets anaesthetise the bird for this procedure. Great care needs to be taken not to damage the underlying blood vessels and nerves. Because the bone beneath the ring has been under pressure it can become de- mineralised. This means that when the ring is removed the leg will bend at this site. Sometimes splints need to be applied for 1 to 2 weeks until strength returns. There are custom made ring removal implements . I find them difficult to use and only suitable while there is still space between the leg and ring.If the ring is very tight this is a job best left to the vet.
4/ Hello I have a problem with pigeon eggs hatching. I have had about 20 babies die in the egg just before they are too hatch. Would you have any idea what may cause this problem?
This is most likely due to a problem with temperature or humidity in the nestbox. Of these , the most likely problem is that the humidity is too low, leading to hard shells and dehydrated weakened chicks that die before they can complete the hatching process. This is addressed by giving the birds an opportunity to bath or misting the eggs. Please have a look at “Problems of the Breeding Season” on our website and also in my book “The Pigeon “ where the possible causes of this problem are discussed at length.
Recently Paramyxovirus (PMV) Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) have been developed for use in chickens. The PMV that causes disease in chickens is very similar to that in pigeons. Over the last month, Stevan Gazzola of Meadow One Loft Race in Melbourne and myself have been working to see if these tests could be validated for use in pigeons. The reason for this is that PMV RATs would be potentially very useful for pigeon fanciers. The tests are cheap ( about $20 ) , quick ( results are available in under 10 minutes ) and can be done by the fancier at the loft. Currently PMV is diagnosed either by a PCR test ( which costs over $140 , needs to be done through a vet and can take 5 days or more ) or by histopathology . Histopathology involves microscopic examination of tissues and costs over $400 , it can also only be done through a vet and it can take over a week to get results.
The signs associated with PMV are similar to those caused by other diseases. Typically the birds become a bit fluffed up, have a reduced appetite and in particular produce very watery droppings. These symptoms are the indication to the fancier that his birds might have PMV. The value of a RAT is that a fancier can quickly, cheaply and easily determine if the problem is PMV at the loft.
The other potential benefit of a RAT is in One Loft races. In OLRs, PMV has been identified as being the main cause of ill health and death. Control comes down to protecting the birds from infection through vaccination and minimising entry of the disease through testing. The availability of a RAT makes the screening of birds for PMV as they arrive at the OLR feasible.
What is a RAT?
The PMV Rapid Antigen Test ( RAT ) detects the presence of PMV proteins in a sample. Typically any tissue or site in the body that potentially contains PMV can be used as the test sample. In chickens the usual sample is a swab from the throat or swabs from the kidneys or spleen collected at autopsy. In pigeons the usual sample tested is a swab that has been wiped through the droppings. To conduct the test the swab is put into a small plastic test tube that contains a clear liquid. This clear liquid extracts the PMV protein from the sample. Several drops of the liquid are then placed on a test paper. A single coloured line appears on the test paper after a few minutes if the test has been done correctly. If a second line appears this indicates that PMV protein is present. The PMV RAT test works exactly the same way as a Covid RAT test except that the test paper has been sensitised to the PMV virus , rather than the Covid virus.
How does a RAT work?
Rapid Antigen Tests are immunoassays. Immunoassays are quick and accurate tests that can be used on-site and in the laboratory to detect specific molecules. Antibodies are proteins generated by animals in response to the invasion of a foreign molecule (antigen) into the body .Immunoassays rely on the inherent ability of an antibody to bind to the specific structure of a molecule. Antibodies are found in blood and tissue fluids and will bind to the antigen whenever it is encountered. Monoclonal antibodies are a group of antibodies that are all the same having been produced to target a specific disease causing agent. The monoclonal antibodies in the PMV RAT are specific to the viral glycoprotein haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) on the PMV virus surface. . Monoclonal antibodies are impregnated into the test paper and bind to one of the structural proteins on the virus surface leading to a visible colour change. This causes the result line to appear on the test paper that we can see. If PMV is not in the sample the line does not appear .
The Investigation in Melbourne
Birds arriving at a OLR from many different lofts presented an ideal opportunity to use the PMV RAT and see if it worked in pigeons. lnitially we were concerned that although the chicken and PMV viruses are similar that they may be sufficiently different that the test would not work in pigeons.
As birds arrived at the loft they were tested. Most birds were negative but some returned positive results. These birds looked well but as RATs are usually very specific the suggestion was that these birds must have been infected with PMV but have had sufficient immunity ( either though being vaccinated or passively acquired from their vaccinated parents) to prevent them from becoming unwell. As testing continued more birds that appeared well returned positive results . As it was unlikely that all of these birds would have sufficient immunity to prevent the development of disease we became suspicious of the results. Basically the test results were not matching what was happening clinically. We then realised that most of the birds that returned a positive test result had , in fact , been recently vaccinated. We contacted the manufacturer of the RATs and also the makers of the vaccine, Zoetis. The suggestion was that as the antibodies in the RAT are specific to the viral glycoprotein haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN ) on the virus surface, the antibodies in the PMV RAT must be detecting the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase HN protein in the vaccine. The recommended vaccine , Poulvac, is an inactivated PMV strain called the LaSota strain. The virus is grown in specific pathogen free (SPF ) eggs and then inactivated and formulated in a base to make the vaccine. The suggestion was that after vaccination the inactivated virus HN glycoprotein ( or an antigenic fragment of the protein antigen ) on the vaccine virus surface was being secreted through the bowel wall where the monoclonal antibodies in the RAT were detecting its presence . It was predicted that these HN proteins would therefore be present in the droppings either if the bird had PMV or had been vaccinated recently. However as our investigation continued some completely healthy birds that had not been vaccinated also returned a positive result. It became clear to us that there was something else in the droppings that the test was reacting to. Just what this might be is unclear but it is likely to be a HN protein from either a bacteria or non- harmful virus. This meant that, where droppings were used as the test sample , this test was returning too many false positive results to be useful as a screening test to detect PMV in pigeons.
As mentioned above in chickens the usual sample tested in a live bird is a throat swab. This is reasonable because in most birds, including chickens, PMV targets the respiratory tract ( as well as the bowel and nervous system ) and so PMV would be expected to be there. PMV in pigeons however is different. Respiratory symptoms are not typically associated with the disease. In pigeons the virus targets the pancreas, bowel , kidneys and later in the course of the disease the nervous system. Because of this it may well be that PMV in pigeons is not shed through the respiratory tract and so a RAT would be negative even if the bird had the disease.
At the time of writing, what we are now investigating is :-
1/ what are the agents in the droppings that are triggering a “false “ positive result to the test
2/ is PMV shed through the respiratory tract in pigeons, if it is this would mean that a RAT could be used to screen pigeons for PMV using a throat swab as the sample ( rather than droppings )
3/ will recent vaccination affect the results of a throat swab PMV RAT
Our plan is to now test birds that have been confirmed as having PMV ( either by PCR or histopathology ), as well as also testing vaccinated birds and healthy non vaccinated birds all using a throat swab as the sample
There is no evaluation data on interference between PMV antigen products like RATS and PMV vaccines and so this is new knowledge. It has been a time consuming ( and at times disappointing ) enterprise and we have had to spend some money to get where we are but considering the benefit of making a PMV RAT available to Australian pigeon fanciers it is worth continuing.
If PMV vaccination interferes with PMV RATS why doesn’t Covid vaccination interfere with Covid RATS.
After Covid vaccination , Covid proteins are not excreted through the respiratory tract. As it is the respiratory tract that is sampled a vaccination against Covid will not affect a Covid RAT test. By comparison , after PMV vaccination , viral proteins are thought to be shed into the sample that is tested ie the droppings and will therefore yield a positive result for a period of time.
PMV RATs and One Loft Races.
I have been working with Stevan Gazzola of Meadow OLR. Stevan is extremely motivated to do all that is possible to keep the birds under his care for the OLR as healthy as possible. In OLRs PMV has been identified as being the main cause of ill health and death. Control comes down to protecting the birds from infection through vaccination and minimising entry of the disease through testing. The current recommendation is that birds being sent to OLRs be vaccinated at 3 weeks of age and then kept at the home loft until 5 weeks of age before shipping to the OLR. It is hoped that with time as we learn what is the best sample to test and also the potential interference by recent vaccination on test results ,that upon arrival birds could be effectively screened for the disease by having a PMV RAT . Birds that are negative would then be vaccinated again and allowed to enter the loft. Birds that are positive on the PMV RAT would be either returned to the owner or euthanised.
Insert attached image here
Caption PMV indicating the position of HN glycoprotein on the surface of the virus that is detected by the PMV RAT
The RAT Future
During the last weeks I have spoken to two European avian vets. More RATs are on the way. With both the increase in awareness of RATs thanks to Covid and advances in technology it is likely that in the next few years RATs for other common diseases such as Rota, Herpes , Salmonella and Chlamydia will become available. These will be handy diagnostic tools for the fancier to use at home particularly for those that don’t have ready access to an avian vet
Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA. Is it better to breed down through a hen or cock line?
An easy way , I find, of understanding what a cell is like in the body is to imagine a cell to be like a plastic bag full of fluid . This fluid is called the cytoplasm while the “bag “ is called the cell membrane. In the fluid floats a roughly spherical structure called the nucleus. This nucleus contains DNA . This nucleus DNA contains the genetic instructions for the development of that organism. Nuclear DNA is found in almost every cell in the avian body including red blood cells ( unlike mammals ).Every individual has its own unique DNA. Other structures, called organelles, also float in the fluid . Each have their own vital function in maintaining the cell. One type of organelle is called a mitochondria.
Although mitochondria, like the other organelles, are an integral component of the cell they have their own separate origin. Incredibly back in the distant past they were free –living algae that became engulfed by a primitive cell and have remained there ever since. Being originally separate organisms they have their own separate DNA. The special function of mitochondria is that they enable the cell to use oxygen to release energy. Another feature of mitochondria is that they are only inherited through the female line. The reason for this is that animal ova (eggs) contain a lot of mitochondria while sperm don’t have very many and those that do, don’t survive in the fertilized egg. This means that although all pigeons, both cocks and hens, inherit their mitochondria DNA from their mother, that it is only the hens that can, in turn, pass it on to their own offspring. Characteristics ,therefore ,that are associated with mitochondrial DNA are inherited only from the mother in both cocks and hens. Cocks and hens bred from the same hen will have the same mitochondrial DNA. In fact, any two pigeons will have an identical mitochondrial DNA sequence if they are related by an unbroken female line.
Mitochondria DNA, however, makes up only a small percentage of the overall avian genome, about 0.1%. What traits are inherited from mitochondrial DNA? What is its significance as far as enabling birds to win races? In pigeons we don’t really know. In mammals it has been shown that variants in mitochondrial DNA may influence lifespan, body size, liver and kidney function, and blood counts. It is possible that mitochondrial DNA in birds might control similar functions and some of these may in turn affect winning ability but so far, we just don’t know. However, as explained above, what we do know is that if mitochondrial DNA is in any way related to a pigeons ability to win then it is the hen that will pass this on to the youngsters. In turn it will only be her daughters which will be able to maintain these genes in the loft. Even though the cocks inherit the mothers mitochondrial DNA they cannot pass it on.
By complete contrast to mitochondria , the DNA in the cell nucleus is inherited more or less equally from both parents. This nuclear DNA makes up 99.9% of the overall genome and controls most of the body’s functions with the exception of the release of energy from nutrients through an oxygen based metabolism that remains the function of mitochondria.
In mammals the 2 chromosomes that determine sex are the X and Y chromosomes. Female mammals have two identical (XX) sex chromosomes while males have an X and Y (XY). It is therefore the father that determines the sex of any offspring .In birds the sex chromosomes are called the Z and W chromosomes. In contrast, birds have a ZZ–ZW determination system and it is the hens that have the different sex chromosomes .The hen is ZW and the cock is ZZ. All hens inherit a W chromosome from their mother, which means all traits that are only found on the W chromosome come from their mother. W linked traits therefore follow a clear maternal lineage.
Each bird inherits 50% of its non - sex genes from each parent however as the sex determining chromosome (W) contains fewer genes this means that hens (ZW ) actually inherit 51% of their genes from their father ( ZZ ) and 49% from their mother. This means that characteristics not associated with mitochondrial DNA or the W ( sex determining ) chromosome can be carried by either the cock or hen.
However, even if we were able to determine which characteristics enabled a pigeon to win ( eg the way energy was released to the muscles, orientation ability, determination etc etc ) ,we would then need to identify which genes controlled these characteristics and indeed on which chromosome these genes were then located . Except for a very few genes this currently is not known. However if the hens and cocks were trained similarly and it was the hens that were winning, and not the cocks, then it is probably more likely that the winning genes are on the W chromosome. It would then make sense to breed down through the hen line. If the winning genes are on the Z chromosome then because cocks have two Z chromosomes then the cock line might be better to persist with. Having said all of that however, breeding to a particular line is not straightforward. It may, in fact, be the interaction of genes on both the Z and W that create the winning formula.
Just how to mate pigeons to stabilise the required genes is a complex business. In pigeons, often external characteristics, for example, a third bar in some Houben families ,are linked to the ability to win races. Inbreeding can eliminate winning genes but it can also concentrate them. It makes sense that inbred birds that have the external characteristics of winning birds in that family are more likely to in-turn breed winners themselves. Inbred birds have reduced genetic variation and are therefore likely to breed predictably . This means that if inbred birds carry the winning genes then they are more likely to breed successful birds. A winning bird produced by crossing two unrelated birds has significant genetic variation and is therefore less likely to breed many birds as good as itself.
In my own loft, like most lofts, most of the winners are hens. I find that winning hens breed winning hens. To me this suggests that the W chromosome and mitochondrial DNA, that can only be inherited from the mother, is relevant ( at least in my loft anyway ). I try to mate these successful hens to the sons of successful hens, or cocks that have won themselves ,hoping that the second Z chromosome and nuclear DNA that they are carrying will compliment that of the hen
Already in Europe certain genes have been associated with an increased likelihood of performing well. Certain labs offer a service where birds can be screened to see if they have these genes. As molecular biology advances it is likely that these screening tests will become more sophisticated.
As the art of breeding is increasingly assisted by science and knowledge there will always be that element of uncertainty as to just what any given mating will produce. It is probably this bit of mystery that makes each breeding season so interesting.
Squeaker Sales
The last few months has seen many squeaker sales conducted with a few still to be held. Squeaker sales have great potential to disseminate disease. I would encourage the organisers of these events to insist, or at least suggest ,to fanciers putting squeakers into these events, that as a minimum, the birds be vaccinated against PMV and Rota. When introducing a squeaker from another loft you are introducing any disease from that squeakers loft into your own. PMV, Rota, Circo, Herpes, Chlamydia, Salmonella, resistant strains of canker and even just worms are all common and are just some of the diseases that can enter a loft with a squeaker. It really is a matter of “buyer beware”.
VRPB Update
The VRPB, at this stage is planning to meet in February. The VRPB has been busy throughout 2022. One of the aims of the VRPB is to keep fanciers abreast of pigeon racing issues that affect the state as a whole. To this end, information on Victoria’s new Animal Welfare Act, doping , weather and release protocols has been presented. In addition ,a mini trial attempting to validate a PMV RAT has been initiated. This information has been presented in the Journal and also placed on the VRPB website. It is hoped that this information is of use to clubs, federations and fanciers throughout Victoria. It is pleasing , now that we have an elected representative state body, that matters such as these can be universally and uniformly addressed.
The VRPB Veterinary Health Management Fund
As regular readers would be aware the VRPB is keen to proceed with further various veterinary investigations and to this end has established a Veterinary Health Management Fund so that these can proceed. One investigation –validation of the PMV RAT has been initiated.The fund is steadily building.
Planned investigations are : -
a/ to investigate the high mortality rate and catastrophic losses associated with OLRs.
OLRs operate in most states and are supported by many fanciers across state borders. Failing to solve this problem tarnishes the reputation of the loft operators, damages the sport generally and runs the risk of the sport being exposed to Animal Welfare concerns.
The principle causes of these mortalities will be investigated through a logical and thorough veterinary diagnostic process. This would involve live bird testing, autopsy, microscopic examination of tissues and various specific tests such as PCRs and bacterial cultures to find out exactly why birds are becoming unwell and dying.
b/ to conduct a mini vaccination trial to develop an effective vaccination protocol to protect young pigeons before and soon after weaning from PMV.
With the increased transfer of young pigeons between states due to One Loft Racing, squeaker sales and the sale of race teams, a review of the current PMV vaccination protocols has been suggested to find proven ways of protecting young pigeons before being placed in these high risk situations. Anecdotally it appears that vaccinating birds at 3 and 5 weeks of age , if not offering complete immunity, does stimulate sufficient immunity to significantly reduce the severity of the disease. In the proposed trial, blood would be drawn from ten , three week old squeakers to ensure they have no immunity. They would then be vaccinated and blood drawn every 2 weeks to track their developing immunity levels. If the youngsters became immune then altered vaccination protocols could then be recommended with confidence. As it appears that PMV is a significant cause of disease and death in young birds associated with OLRs, squeaker sales and the sale of race teams, offering fanciers a way of protecting their birds that had been shown to effective would benefit us all.
c/ to investigate emerging diseases that have the impact to affect bird health and racing nationally. Herpes virus ( causing Inclusion Body Hepatitis) is a concern at the moment. The starting point would be to find out just how prevalent the problem is. This can be done by running some pan Herpes PCRs at the University of Melbourne. The University has offered the VRPB a discounted price of $80/ test and about 60 would need to be done.
4/ Validation of PMV RATs. This has now been initiated with the assistance of Stevan Gazzola of the Meadow One Loft Race.
5/ To investigate the cause of “fat eye “ and its relationship to Rota virus , if any.
Thank you to all of the organisations and individuals who have already donated. Those wishing to contribute can contact VRPB treasurer Eddie Swatkowski. His email is [email protected] All donations will be most gratefully received so that this work can proceed.
FCI News
The FCI will hold the next Pigeon Olympiade in Maastricht, The Netherlands on the 26th to 28th January 2024. Key points of discussion will be Avian Flu and animal welfare. It is likely that the IVPA ( International Veterinary Pigeon Association) will organise a conference on the last Saturday in November this year in Belgium
Supply of Australian Pigeon Company Products
It is of great concern to me that a number of pigeon product suppliers and outlets are misrepresenting products that they are selling as being either from the Australian Pigeon Company ( APC ) or the same as our APC products. I notice that some product suppliers have copied text from our labels onto their own and given their products names or initials that are easily confused with established Australian Pigeon Company products. Particularly over the last 4 weeks during a number of loft visits, fanciers have shown to me which APC products they are using and where surprised to learn, after I looked at them, that they were not from us. The fanciers thought they were using products from us when in fact they were using similarly priced but poorer quality imitations. Australian Pigeon Company products are registered, which means they have passed the high manufacturing standards required by the regulatory authorities in Australia, are blended in a facility that prepares products to a human standard and have formulations based on solid veterinary knowledge. Unregistered products are not regulated and the suppliers / manufacturers of these products can literally make up contents and expiry dates and in my experience do. The APC has been operating now for over 30 years and was the “original” Australian company making and supplying both prescription medication and health supplements to Australian pigeon fanciers. I had a curious experience at a pigeon convention last year where a stall holder, who obviously did not know me, told me that the products he was selling were exactly the same as Dr Walker’s. He was taken aback to learn that I was Dr Walker. The products were cheap imitations of APC products. If you have any queries about APC products or indeed any pigeon product you will find Laura and Tracey at the APC very knowledgeable and keen to help. They have been with the APC for over 15 years and are able to assist with many pigeon queries and are very familiar with getting any products that you require to you as economically as possible. The number to call is 0450400034. If you have any health or other veterinary queries you are welcome to ring me . My number is 0412481239. At the APC we are dedicated to ensuring that you get excellent value for any dollar spent and keen to provide you with any veterinary support that you may need.
Pigeon donation to the University of Melbourne.
Each year for the last 15 years Victorian fanciers have donated 30 birds to the veterinary clinical centre at the University of Melbourne. The birds are housed in a purpose built loft and used to teach final year veterinary students basic handling skills and veterinary procedures such as blood collection, collection and examination of a crop flush and clinical examination. Once again Professor Amir Noormohammadi on behalf of the University has requested birds. Victorian fanciers are pleased to do what they can to help train the avian veterinarians of the future.
Medical Problems in Young Pigeons
Avoiding stress in young pigeons will do much to prevent disease. In Australia, most fanciers wean youngsters from early November until the end of February. In the northern hemisphere, this occurs six months earlier. During these weaning months, most lofts are progressively filling with youngsters .Many normal features of the young pigeons’ existence, such as moulting and establishing their perch in a new loft, provide unavoidable stress. Most growing pigeons can tolerate a single stress but, when stresses start to overlap, opportunistic infection can take advantage of the birds’ weakened immune system and the youngsters can become sick. In addition, in some areas the weather during these months is changeable and humid: conditions that favour the spread of disease.
Minimising stress
Ways that fanciers can minimise stress in their young birds include:
• Avoiding overcrowding. Ideally, no more than 25 birds in a 2x2x2 metre section.
• Providing a seed mixture of good quality and in adequate quantity, given at regular intervals. The seed should be clean, free of dusts and moulds, and contain sufficient levels of protein for growth and moulting. I work with a basic mix of about 35% dun peas, 18% safflower, 20% corn, 12% milo, 10% wheat and 5% small seeds.
• Providing grit and a pink mineral. Grit should always be in front of the growing youngster. It contains the calcium that is vital for the formation of a healthy skeleton. A pigeon is independent at four weeks, and can reproduce at six months. This is analogous to a human being full-grown at five months of age and sexually mature at two and a half years. With such a phenomenal growth rate, nothing must be lacking. The bones are genetically programmed to increase in size and if calcium is lacking they will not be as strong as they should be. Pink minerals provide not only calcium but also a range of vitamins and minerals. Regular use of a water-soluble
multivitamin is also useful.
• Enabling adequate rest periods. The young bird must develop a bond with the loft and a perch within it, and must feel secure when there. People tell me that pigeons get used to anything, such as backyard dogs, incinerators, and kids playing directly in front of the loft, but I think, drawing an analogy with some people that live on
a busy road, that just because they get used to it does not mean they like it.
• Providing a good loft. Essentially, a pigeon loft must be dry without being dusty and provide adequate ventilation without exposing the birds to extremes of heat and cold.
• Keeping the loft clean. Regular cleaning removes germs and provides a healthier environment.
• Keeping groups of young birds together. Young birds will form groups within the loft as part of their basic flocking instinct. Fanciers may note that youngsters weaned on the same day may still be sharing the same section within the loft as adults. Young birds are easily intimidated by older birds.
• Controlling internal and external parasites. Both internal and external parasites drain the body of nutrition that would otherwise be available to the growing youngster.
• Correct timing of pigeon pox vaccination. The two constraining parameters are the date racing starts and the age of the birds. Race programs in all Australian states are different. Pigeons should not be vaccinated closer than six weeks to the start of racing, as usually scabs are carried for four to six weeks post-vaccination. Birds
carrying these scabs are infectious and therefore ineligible for competition. The pigeon pox vaccine is live and gives the birds a mild dose of the disease. In birds facing other stresses, this may be sufficient to induce clinical outbreaks of diseases such as canker or respiratory infection that werenot apparent. Obviously, this is more likely to occur the younger the pigeons are at vaccination. All young birdswithin the loft should be vaccinated at the one time.
• Correct timing of PMV , Rota and Salmonella vaccination. Full details can be found on the Victorian Racing Pigeon Board site at www.vrpb.org.au
• Checking the youngsters regularly for illness and ensuring that ill birds are separated, accurately diagnosed
and treated. Beware the overuse of drugs, which can interfere with the ongoing natural exposure of the developing pigeon to potentially infectious organisms. Incorrect use of drugs at this time may in fact render the team more vulnerable to disease.
• Establishing a routine that is familiar to the young bird.
Management of disease
Overlapping stresses in the form of environmental or management flaws, or failure to control primary diseases such as parasitism, can trigger a disease outbreak. Occasionally, in the best lofts under good managers, disease will occur despite good control of young birds’ stresses. I find it convenient to divide the diseases
of young birds into four groups based on the signs observed.
1/Canker. Fanciers will be familiar with the thick yellow scum that occurs in the throat of youngsters. Affected birds should be separated and treated. To treat individual birds a 1/4 of a metronidazole (e.g. "Flagyl") 200mg tablet or whole carnidazole (e.g. "Spartrix") 10mg tablet once daily until well can be used. This usually takes one to three days. Alternatively, the unwell youngster’s water can be medicated with ronidazole 10% (e.g. "Turbosole") 3g/2L of water. It is important, however, to ensure that the unwell youngster is still able to drink. The group of youngsters, as a whole, should only be treated if more than 10% of youngsters are showing signs, usually with
"Turbosole" for three to four days.
2. Respiratory signs. In young birds, this usually appears as either a dirty cere or ‘one eye cold’. Severely affected youngsters can have trouble looking after themselves in the loft and should be separated. Mildly affected birds are left in the loft. Unwell birds are treated with doxycycline 25mg once daily. If more cases are developing every
day, or more than 10% of youngsters are affected the flock can be given doxycycline 12% (e.g. "Doxyvet") 3g/2L of water. However, in this situation it is likely that there is some underlying management or environmental flaw which will need to be corrected to prevent ongoing problems. I find the presence of mucus in the throat an unreliable
indicator of respiratory infection in young pigeons. All pigeons have approximately 1.5ml of mucus in the throat all the time. The level of mucus may increase with respiratory infection but this is difficult to quantify. Similarly, I am cautious in diagnosing respiratory infection if the birds pant after exercise. Birds with respiratory disease may pant excessively but this is affected by too many other factors, such as the stage of the moult, level of fitness and heat of the day, to be a reliable indicator.
More than 90% of respiratory disease in young pigeons is due to chlamydia or mycoplasma. The organisms are already in the systems of many young birds and clinical disease is triggered by stress. When the birds are stressed, the organisms increase in number and can move to several sites throughout the body, including the respiratory
and gastrointestinal tracts.
During these Chlamydial flare-ups, it is important that the fancier provides a healthy loft environment to ensure that the birds’ immune system is maximally functional in order to help control the infection. Sources of ongoing stress, such as overcrowding, must be eliminated. In addition, chlamydial drugs are used to control
clinical disease before significant damage can be done. The aim of treatment in young birds is not to eliminate the organism but to reduce the chlamydial level to a point where it is no longer causing problems. Even in the best managed lofts, several flare-ups would be expected in Australia between January and May. By May, the birds are older, fitter and have finished moulting, and many problems become self-limiting. Once on treatment, birds stop shedding the organism and so recovering more severely affected birds can be returned to the loft. Young birds in particular respond better to medication once back on their own perch and with other pigeons.
3. Bowel signs. Look for discolored droppings with a higher than normal fluid content. Affected youngsters are usually quiet and underweight. The three most common causes are coccidia, ‘thrush’ and E coli, although worms are a problem in some lofts. Microscopic examination of a faecal smear is necessary to determine the actual
problem. If coccidia is involved, then the entire group of youngsters can be given toltrazuril (e.g. "Toltravet") 25mg/ml, 5ml/1L on days 1, 2, 5 and 6). This does not interfere with developing immunity. ‘Thrush’ and E.coli, if mild, can be successfully treated with probiotics (e.g. "Probac") ½ teaspoon to 2 litres or, if advanced, a
sulphur-based antibiotic (e.g. "Sulpha AVS") 3g to 4 litres for 4 days). These problems can reflect loft stresses, which will need to be corrected to stop the ongoing need for medication
4. Very sick or dying youngsters. Here affected birds are fluffed up, reluctant to move and often underweight, with a reduced appetite. The diseases mentioned earlier can, in their most severe forms, appear like this and usually testing for these is done initially. However, the generalised form of paratyphoid, Aspergillus (a fungus that
affects the respiratory system) and the viral diseases Herpes virus, Adeno virus, PMV , Rota and Circo virus, must be considered. Often, one or more birds need to be submitted for autopsy and the relevant tissue samples submitted for examination by an avian pathologist. In this situation, it is best to seek veterinary advice.
Parasites
Both internal and external parasites can also be a problem in youngsters. However, in a well-managed loft these should not occur in the stock loft and therefore should not be present in the weaning youngsters. They can, however, enter the loft with late returning race birds, strays and youngsters deliberately introduced. Roundworms and hairworms, if present, should be totally eliminated. A common treatment is moxidectin (2mg per ml, 5ml per litre for 24 hours in the drinking water). This will eliminate all mites including air sac mite and approximately 80% of lice. If lice are a problem, then to completely eliminate them the birds will need to be dipped. This can be safely done from six weeks of age. Permethrin is commonly used.
Some mites (but not lice) can survive in the cracks and crevices of the loft. In this situation the moxidectin can be repeated at four-week intervals or, alternatively, the loft can be sprayed with permethrin. Pick a warm day, move the youngsters out of the section, and spray the permethrin on to the scraped surfaces of the loft. These will dry within a couple of hours and the youngsters can be reintroduced. Permethrin is a residual insecticide and has the advantage of controlling mosquitoes, pigeon flies, and other insects (which can carry tapeworm) for up to four months. Tapeworm, if a problem, can be treated with moxidectin combined with praziquantel.
Use of medications
Many of the medications routinely used during racing can have side effects in the growing and moulting bird, compromising feather quality and bone development and interfering with the development of natural immunity. Similarly, the appearance of disease during this time is often associated with environment or management problems, which must be corrected to avoid the ongoing need for medication. Medication is usually only part of the answer to health problems in the young bird loft and is certainly not an alternative to a good loft environment and sound management practices.
Overseas products compared to Australian made
I had an interesting conversation with a Victorian country fancier this month. He had gone to the trouble and expense of importing a supplement from Europe. During a recent visit there he had had a number of fanciers explain that out of all the products available to them that this was the one that really made a difference, with the birds looking much better while they were on it. He sent me a photo of the ingredients listed on the label. The product was virtually identical to the Australian Pigeon Company’s Multiboost but was about half its strength ( which meant that you only had to add half the amount of Multiboost ). Obviously the two products are based on the same nutritional science. Fanciers should not under-rate the products available in Australia. Every veterinary medicine that is available overseas is available here and in fact some that are not available in some countries eg Emtril, are available here. The health promotants and supplements made by the established veterinary based companies are as good as those from anywhere in the world . Similarly, overseas there are plenty of poor quality products just as there are here .
Nest felt deaths
Fanciers may recall that several years ago some lofts experienced virtually 100% mortality in their one and two day old chicks in the nest during the breeding season. On investigation all lofts had used nest felts supplied by one particular pigeon product supplier. As it turned out, rather than supplying nest felts specifically made for pigeons the supplier had bought a roll of carpet underlay and cut out circles of the same size and sold them to pigeon fanciers as nest felts. Carpet underlay is often impregnated with an insecticide. The freshly hatched chicks because of the immaturity of their respiratory system , small size and intimate contact with the nest felts were poisoned by the insecticide. At the time, thorough testing of the dead chicks was done which led to a paper being presented at that annual avian veterinary convention on the problem. I have had several fanciers contact me again this season with a similar story. Please ensure that if you use nest felts that they are specifically made for use in pigeons
Ask the Vet
1/ I was hoping you might be able to help me out. I put my stock birds together on the 18th of November. I was a bit late this year because I was overseas for a month when the racing season finished. The problem I’m having is that my 2 best stock hens haven’t laid eggs yet. They are both 8 years old. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
How frustrating. There is some information on page 371 of “The Pigeon” in the ‘Problems of the Breeding Season’ section. In valuable birds often the best thing to do is get an avian vet to endoscopically examine the ovary. Cysts, tumours, infections and hormonal imbalances can all occur and once diagnosed can then be addressed.
2/ I live in Israel. One of my young pigeons has his beak open gasping for air. He looks like a pigeon that is panting after flying on a hot day but he does it all the time. What could this be? What can I give him?
Many things can cause difficulty in breathing in pigeons and so unfortunately it is not possible to advise you of the actual cause in this case . Potential problems range from an injury leading to bleeding into an airsac, a trichomonad abscess that has invaded from the crop wall into the windpipe and internal infections that cause organ enlargement or fluid retention that prevent distension of the lungs or airsacs. If the problem is an infection it could be due to a virus such as Herpes, PMV or Rota. Bacteria including Klebsiella and Pseudomonas can also infect the respiratory tract. It would be best to take the bird to an avian vet. Once a diagnosis has been made this would not only enable accurate treatment but likely also provide information that would help prevent further birds from developing the same problem. If it is not possible to go to an avian vet you could try a daily dose of Baytril and Flagyl given directly to the beak.
3/ I have a stock bird whose life ring has become too tight. The skin is now growing up each side of the ring. How should I remove this?
Once the ring has become this tight, removal can be difficult without damaging the leg. Most vets use a Dremel for this job . The burr attachment is put on . This is then gently moved backwards and forwards across the ring. This can generate significant heat and so usually water is dripped over the burr site. Because of the need to keep the bird absolutely still most vets anaesthetise the bird for this procedure. Great care needs to be taken not to damage the underlying blood vessels and nerves. Because the bone beneath the ring has been under pressure it can become de- mineralised. This means that when the ring is removed the leg will bend at this site. Sometimes splints need to be applied for 1 to 2 weeks until strength returns. There are custom made ring removal implements . I find them difficult to use and only suitable while there is still space between the leg and ring.If the ring is very tight this is a job best left to the vet.
4/ Hello I have a problem with pigeon eggs hatching. I have had about 20 babies die in the egg just before they are too hatch. Would you have any idea what may cause this problem?
This is most likely due to a problem with temperature or humidity in the nestbox. Of these , the most likely problem is that the humidity is too low, leading to hard shells and dehydrated weakened chicks that die before they can complete the hatching process. This is addressed by giving the birds an opportunity to bath or misting the eggs. Please have a look at “Problems of the Breeding Season” on our website and also in my book “The Pigeon “ where the possible causes of this problem are discussed at length.