March is the month of the dove fair in Houten. We will also have a stand there. But March is also the month of the preparation for the competitions.
It is the month to make sure that the heads of the pigeons are healthy and that the respiratory infections are dealt with properly.
We receive a lot of e-mails with questions about which medical exams we can do in pigeons. This points out that many pigeon fanciers are clearly not fully informed about that subject.
I want to explain in this letter which exams that are important for the pigeon fancier that takes himself seriously. Besides that, I will tell you which exams are also necessary in some cases.

It is known that there are few veterinarians with real interest in the dove medicine or their competitions. It is logical to think that the approach of a veterinarian that takes no interest in doves is somewhat different than the one who does. I have noticed that many colleagues limit their exams to a faeces exam (collected from several pigeons, or not even), and a throat smear. If there's nothing to be found, the doves are declared healthy. But is the pigeon fancier helped properly in this way? When there are no respiratory diseases present, this basic investigation can be sufficient.
But when the respiratory airways are affected and there is no proper clinical examination to confirm it, the pigeon fancier goes home thinking (wrongly) that the pigeons are healthy. Later on, the results of the competitions will not be satisfying of course, which is very frustrating of course.

A proper examination of the pigeons generally consists of:

1)The basic investigation of the faeces:

For the proper investigation, we need a 'collection' sample. To obtain that, we first dilute the faeces with water. The solution is mixed and centrifuged. The substance that has settled down is now diluted with a satiated salty solution or a zinc sulphate solution. This preparation is ready to be examined under a microscope to look for the presence of Coccidiosis and Ascaridia or Capillaria worms. It is also possible to check for the presence of yeasts such as Candida.
It is absolutely of no use to examine a little pile of faeces with a little bit of water on it to 'smear' it out under the microscope. There must be a severe infestation before there can be seen anything with the last method.
Considering that winning or losing today depends on details, a simple examination of the faeces is clearly not enough.

2)Bacteriological growth: Paratyphus

To be able to detect Paratypus amongst the doves, it is necessary to collect and mix the faeces of the doves in the dovecotes, during at least 5 days. A sample of this is taken and put on a plate for the growth of the bacteria named 'Salmonella'. Why is it better to collect a sample of 5 days? This is to ensure the detection of Salmonella. Recently I saw a pigeon fancier who brought faeces samples that were collected five days in a row, but not mixed. At that moment, it was possible to perform a scientific test: we gave all 5 samples an individual plate. It turned out that the sample of day 1,2 and 4 were positive for Paratyphus and the sample of day 3 and 5 were negative. We repeated this experiment (to make sure this was no coincidence) and we got the same results exactly. This points out that the Salmonella is not necessarily excreted every day in de faeces.

3) Bacteriological growth: E.Coli

We often see that collegues have found E.Coli in the feaces, and therefore have prescribed a cure of antibiotics. We do not agree with this approach. A lot of samples contain E.Coli. But not all E.coli bacteria are pathogenic. So it is of no use to give a cure against every E.Coli infection.
The doves do not get better with this approach, on the contrary.

4) Bacteriological growth: Streptocoques

It is the same for the Streptococcus as for the E.Coli; they are often present in the feaces. Again, many colleagues prescribe a cure for this. We also do not agree with this. A cure is only useful when we notice the presence of Streptococcus in the organs while doing an autopsy. But not when the Streptococcus are only located in the intestines. Sudden death occurring amongst the doves, who seemed healthy in the morning, can be a reason to give a cure against Streptococcus. Because a possible cause of this is an infection with Streptococcus. It is wise to lower the infection in the dovecote by giving a suited cure such as the powder 29 or Amco.

5) Throat smear and cloaca smear

When performing a decent basic examination of the doves, it is necessary to do a throat smear. Besides giving us information about the presence of Trichomoniasis, it also tells us if there are mucus and/or inflammation cells present. Depending on the severity of the infection with Trichomoniasis, we develop a treatment plan. When the infection is severe, it is preferable to give a capsule, 2 days in a row. We must take into account that the doves do not drink a lot, this time of the year. When we administer medicines in the drinking-water, the blood concentration is not high enough, and the control of the infection is not assured in this way. The remaining infection in the doves has the consequence that 2 weeks later the infection is as severe as it was before the treatment. A cure administered on the food gives higher concentrations, but the best way to administer these medicines remains the individual capsules.
In a cloaca smear, we can see the presence of Hexamitiasis. This infection is mainly important in young doves, and can best be controlled with capsules.

6)Clinical examination

During a good basic clinical exam, there must also be a thorough examination of the airways. An experienced dove veterinarian can determine whether the doves have upper or deeper respiratory problems. That last one is important to detect. In case of doubt, we can do a simple test to determine which antibiotic will have the best results: an antibiogram. After that, we make a magistral preparation specific for the germs present in the dove.
During this test, there are little little discs with antibiotics in it put on the smears to determine which one stops the growth best.

Especially the clinical examination of doves (respiratory airways, general condition, old fuzzy feathers, louses, old flight feathers etc.) can be of importance to develop a suited approach to start the season or during the season itself.

If there are specific complaints, then we dispose of several other tests to determine the cause of these. For example, Candidiasis can inhibit the development of the doves. To be sure of this, we can put it on a plate and make it grow.

When we suspect an infection with Chlamydia, we can detect this with the help of a STAMP-coloration. If wished so, we can send some material to the lab to detect the Chlamydia with the PCR technique.

In some cases, an X-ray or a blood test is needed. The cause of persistent problems often can only be determined through dissection of (a few) doves. An extended histological examination and/or bacteriological or viral examination of the tissues is needed to make a definitive diagnosis.

The last approaches can be of use when experiencing chronic problems.
The basic approach should be done with the doves of every pigeon fancier who takes himself seriously.

There were a lot of dovecotes that were infected with the Circo virus during previous month. Responding to the request of an information site, I wrote some information that I don't want to keep from you.

News about the Circo Virus

Practical approach

The last few days I have received lots of e-mails from pigeon fanciers who experience the sudden death of several young pigeons shortly before or after the weaning. The pigeon fanciers mostly diagnose this as being E. Coli, Paratyphus or Herpes. All these options are considerable, of course. But I still have the idea that this could be caused by an underlying reason: an outbreak with the Circo virus. I have already written several things on this virus, all of this can be re-read on our site and in the previous newsletters.

We have also received a message from the internet page 'duivenvlucht.nl' concerning the death after the weaning of young pigeons. They also asked me to write something about this to prevent an exaggerated panic reaction among the pigeon fanciers.

I have written earlier that I had the impression that the importance of the Circo virus was increasing in the dove sports. When I hear al these stories, my fears are confirmed. This infection is often not detected in older pigeons. But in growing pigeons, who not yet have a fully developed their immunity, it can do a lot of harm. This virus has an affinity for a little organ near the cloaca, that provides defense cells to the rest of the body in a future stage. The less defense cells have reached their destination, the bigger will be the consequences of this infection. It is easy to imagine that for example intestinal infections are facilitated when the defense cells are not yet arrived there. All other infections can profit from this situation in the same way. Therefore, the young doves don't stand a chance, with massive death as a consequence. Antibiotics often are not of any use when experiencing this viral problem. There are often not enough defense cells to do the job-with or without antibiotics.

How is it possible that the youngsters grow without problems, but all die around weaning time? Well, the weaning gives them a lot of stress, and it is known that stress diminishes the immunity. When the immunity is already compromised by the Circo virus, then the weaning could be the final drop, with lots of secondary infections following this period. Infections with E. Coli, Streptococcus and Herpes then end in death.

What should we be expecting in the following period? When the youngsters have been infected with the Circo virus, a vaccination against the Paramyxo virus will have less effect. The youngsters can still get problems with this virus a few weeks after the vaccination. The first thought can be that the veterinarian didn't perform the vaccination properly. But the cause for this is an infection with the Circo virus, which makes a good response to the vaccination impossible.
In a word, it is preferable to vaccinate the doves against the Paramyxo virus
at a young age.
It is regrettable though, that there is not yet a vaccine available against the Circo virus. And we don't expect it in the near future. Because it is a virus, we can't cure it with antibiotics. But we still prescribe antibiotics, hoping to stop/limit the secondary infections, and get the youngsters through this.
Besides that, I prescribe Bony SGR for all the pigeons, to raise the immunity of the youngsters and the elders. This can limit the damage this virus normally causes. If the doves have this problem, our first choice is Bony-Jodi. This preparation is specific for the 'childhood' diseases in pigeons, such as E. Coli, Streptococcus, etc. The young doves should get this during 8 days, administered on the food.

This resumes our approach in/around the reproduction period:

1.Reproduction oil with high amounts of Omega-3 amino acids.
2.From the pairing on, Bony SGR 5ml per litre of drinking-water, during a week.
3.When they're on the eggs, a cure against the Trichomoniasis.
4.B.M.T and reproduction oil administered to the doves while feeding the youngsters
5.After the weaning, Bony-SGR and reproduction oil during a week
6.If the youngsters still get this terrible virus, then try to limit the damage with Bony-Jodi.

Good luck!