Salmonella / Parathyphoid

Salgen Vaccine . SALMONELLA /PARATHYPHOID (Salmonella) - (best spotted during the moulting season when the dropped feathers are accompanied by blood on the root side)

Parathyphoid is difficult to prevent given the nature of pigeon racing and showing where many birds from many lofts intermittently mix Pigeons infected with salmonella can display a wide variety of symptoms, depending on the age of the bird when first exposed to the bacterium. Very young birds, typically under 6 weeks, can develop ‘going light’ syndrome, caused by gastroenteritis. This causes weight loss due to loss of appetite and diarrohea. Mortality rates can be high. The bacterium in older pigeons can affect the joints which lead to swelling in the joints of the wings or legs. The membranes around the brain, or menges, can also become inflamed, leading to a loss of balance and head tilt.

Paratyphoid can be caused by un-sanitary conditions and the contamination of feed by rodents. It also can occur when introducing new pigeons into the loft, without checking first if they are healthy. Before putting new pigeon into the loft, isolate and observe them for 5 days and put them on a preventive medication.

If the disease occurs it is best to follow the following three-step plan:

1. Badly affected birds should be culled, while all affected birds should be separated from the flock
2. All birds should be treated with an appropriate antibiotic in the drinking water for 10 days.
3. It is recommended that any affected birds that fail to respond are culledThe loft and surrounding environment are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Symptoms of Paratyphoid: -

• Loss of condition and weight
• Green slimy droppings
• Swelling of the leg or wing joints
• Limping
• Infertile eggs. The bacterium can cause sterility in both sexes and can contaminate the egg prior to laying. It is one of the two principal infectious causes of dead-in-shell young birds and nestling death
• Twisted neck (seldom)
• One eye blindness (seldom)

Prevention - Loft hygiene is critical, because salmonella flagellates can live in the droppings for some time. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of lofts, feeders and drinkers is vital. Minimizing contact with rodents, roaches and wild birds, quarantining newly acquired birds, and maintaining an acid pH level below 4.0 are all helpful steps in keeping this disease under control. The vet recommends  the use of Nolvasan disinfectant at one teaspoon per gallon of drinking water regularly to help maintain an acidic environment in the droppings.

Regular laboratory test for Salmonella is recommended.