Newsletter February 2008


I noticed that there were a lot of positive reactions on the newsletter of January.
There were also remarks that newsletters of this kind should be written more often. Especially because it are short facts lined up, what means a change of the longer stories I usually write.
That's the reason that this month's newsletter also talks about these 'did you know that' facts.

Herpes

... That approximately half of the pigeons have antibodies against this virus? 

...That many doves are carriers of this virus without ever showing clinical signs?

...That clinical signs usually appear when the immunity of the doves gets to low, a thing that mainly happens when there are other infections present in the pigeons?

...That Herpes is a viral infection and that antibiotics do not eliminate viruses? 

...That, however, antibiotics are given to prevent that secondary bacterial infections further weaken or even kill the pigeon(s)?


...That pigeons infected with the virus in a latent way can start to excrete the virus when exposed to stressfull situations (like transport)?

...That research in Germany has proven that the peak of excretion lies in the month of  July? At that moment, more than 60% of the samples taken in that investigation came out positive.

...That this peak in excretion can explain why so many youngsters in this season suddenly have disappointing performances and even stay behind? 

...That it is possible that there are no signs of sickness before putting them in the hives, even that they look very healthy, but still perform very badly during races? 

...That it can take many weeks before such an infection is over?

...That it is wise not to play with the early doves when there is such an outbreak, but only play in the late season? 

..That this is the only way to prevent the loss of all the young pigeons?

...That in case of an outbreak a cure of 10 days with Bony SGR and Boni Jodi (Powder 29) administered over the food is advisable?

...That to prevent this disease, we should make sure that the pigeons have the highest possible immunity in order to eliminate the disease as quickly as possible?

...That the doves that have yellow mucus in the beak (looking like Trichominiasis) are preferably treated individually with a product that contains electrolytes combined with amino acids (for example Bonisol) and Marbocap as well as Synulox capsules or tablets?

Circo-virus...Did you know that?..


...That the importance of the Circo virus is increasing with time evolving?

...That this infection, although it is hidden, can still cause problems?

...That, if young pigeons are infected, their immune system gets damaged so that they become sensitive to all kinds of infections that normally are easy to overcome?

...That, if young pigeons are infected, their reaction to vaccinations is almost absent, meaning that after vaccination, they can still get the disease in question?

...That this is mainly seen after a vaccination against the Paramyxo virus, and that the pigeon fanciers unjustly think that the vaccination wasn't performed properly?

...That there is not yet a vaccination against the Circo virus?

...That the only way to prevent an infection is to keep the infection of the environment and thus the risk of infection low by optimizing the immunity?


'Swelled heads'?.Did you know that??

...That this is a collective term for all kinds of diseases in the upper respiratory system in pigeons?

...That veterinarians often call this the 'Ornithosis' complex?

...That Ornithosis represents only a part in this complex?

...That, besides that, all the other diseases in the upper respiratory system can be added to this complex?

...That the treatment of one of the components of this complex does not necessarily means that the 'head disease' is over?

...That there are a lot of factors playing a role in this disorder? For example the ventilation, the number of pigeons in the pigeon house, the nature of the infections, the nursing and the amount of immunity in the pigeons.

...That it is mainly the immunity that plays an important role concerning this disease?

...That it is more important to optimize the immunity and all the other environmental factors instead of always reaching out to medicines?  

...That it is important that the doves start the competitions as clean of disease as possible to prevent the spreading of disease when putting them in the hives?

...That this is important for all pigeon fanciers, even if the doves are not yet expected to win prices, and that there is a lot of time left to win them?

...That it is important to nurse the pigeons mainly after the first competitions in order to protect them from disease during these first flights?

...That it is in these first competitions that the amount of pathological agents are very high, because of the number of pigeons put together, and the fact that the pigeon fanciers don't mind to much the precautions they should take?

...That many of these pigeon fanciers stop participating to the competitions after a few weeks because of the bad results, and in that way, lower the amount of pathological agents for the other pigeons?

...That many pigeon fanciers who use products that increase the immunity are convinced that it is important to take preventive action to have a 'clean start' in the high season?

Medicines....Did you know that?.......


...That I prefer not to prescribe Baycox during the competitions because I have the impression that it lowers the condition of the doves?

...That, besides that, Baycox is an efficient medicine against Coccidiosis?

...That, when a treatment against Coccidiosis is necessary during the competitions, I prefer the use of Appertex?

...That the prevalence of Coccidiosis during the high season often points out a mediocre condition in the doves?

...That the Antiparasiticum drops in the neck are active against feather and shaft louses?

...That 1 little bottle is enough for the treatment of 100 doves?

...That we should also prevent louses in the high season concerning their bad influence on the main condition of the doves?

...That I get a lot of reactions from the pigeon fanciers concerning the Bony Omega-3 reproduction oil, saying that it has lead to beautiful youngsters?

...That I got confirmation from other pigeon fanciers that the use of  Farvisol combined with the Bony Omega-3 reproduction oil favorises the making of  the 'duvet' feathers during the moulting period?

...That the use of preparations for the pigeon's condition is a waste of money when they are not healthy?

...That these products are only of use when there is preventive care for the pigeons?

...That preventive care starts with the examination of the pigeons before the high season? And, that during these examinations,  there should be focused on the upper and deeper respiratory system? I will give more details on this subject in the next newsletter.

Finally...Did you know that??


...That it is the ideal period to treat the doves against lays with the antiparasiticum drops?

...That in the process of transition from pap meals to solid food, there can be diarrhea, when they are drinking too much, and that this can be prevented with the use of Electrolytes such as Bonisol?

...That, during the reproduction period, a supplementation with vitamins such as Farvisol can be given 2 times a week to prevent shortcomings?

...That the CP drink can be given when the pigeons lay wind eggs?

...That when the second round of sitting on the eggs starts, there should also be administered the Capsules against Trichomoniasis?