E. coli (Escherichia coli)
There are a number of bacteria that can cause diseases by pigeons, but do not under every circumstance. We call these bacteria facultative pathogenic bacteria. They can cause disease in principle and sometimes even death, but this only occurs when conditions are favorable for the bacteria. Under these conditions, the bacteria can multiply quickly. The bacterium E. coli is one of these bacterium. Yet we still consider this bacterium in the majority of cases as part of the normal intestinal flora in pigeons. During routine examination of manure this bacterium is commonly found. There are usually no symptoms. But some veterinarians advice to counter cures here. This is questionable.
Escherichia coli is a so-called gram negative rod-shaped bacterium which belongs to the family of the Enterobacteriaceae. Also Proteus and Klebsiella bacteria, as well as the Salmonella belongs to this family. There are many different strains of E. Coli.
Many of these strains are to be regarded as commensals in the intestine. So benign intestinal bacteria. There are also opportunistic strains, as said once they get the chance to be pathogenic. Some tribes are primary pathogenic. They can cause diarrhea or infection of the internal organs.
So it is not that we should always think alike in finding E. coli in a mixed sample manure to pathogenic bacteria. Especially if these routine screening are found in the droppings of pigeons that are otherwise not ill. Otherwise, it is in the case of diarrhea, where large numbers of manure per ml of E. coli bacteria are found. This can occur in young pigeons infected with Adenovirus in spring.There are many different strains of E. Coli that in microbiology
inter alia, a distinction between these different strains aims to introduce, on the basis of the so-called. antigenic properties of these Coli bacteria. This translates over to practice as O, H and K antigens. For E. coli, which occurs in chickens may then be the name E. coli O1: K1: H7. In this way, hundreds of different strains can be distinguished.
This way one tries to see the forest through the trees. Routine screening is usually not looked with which strains we face. Well found the same strains in sick and healthy pigeons. This means that pigeons under favorable conditions for these bacteria can become ill. It is therefore important to try to prevent these conditions.
Disease symptoms.
The E. Coli in pigeons can give rise to acute blood poisoning causing the animals to die very quickly. We see this often in small nestlings. Often by the enthusiast is then given to a Salmonella infection. However, there are several bacteria, which can cause acute nest mortality. Further research is often not redundant one wants to detect the cause. Also, mortality in the egg can occur. Even then, the causative agent is often detectable if the eggs for further evaluation.
Not only nestlings may occur acute mortality from an E. coli sepsis. This may occur when birds of all ages. Sometimes there is only acute mortality. In other cases we see diarrhea and vomiting, or weight loss. However, it is difficult, on the basis of the symptoms only to designate the correct cause of the sepsis. Further bacteriological examination is desired. The bacterium is thereby then be demonstrated in the internal organs. The general picture is because even with multiple causes of sepsis are the same.
With emphasis should be reiterated that the diagnosis based on the faecal examination alone is totally useless. Indeed, in the manure of healthy pigeons the Coli bacterium is also provided. The bacteria must be demonstrated in the organs will be sure of the diagnosis.
Stress factors often play a role in the occurrence of cases of coli sepsis. The stress level of the resistance in the pigeon drops, increasing the chances for the facultative pathogenic bacteria. These stressors we can count on population. However, the culture period is a time when the infection pressure may rise. If there is an outbreak of litter mortality during the breeding period, we prefer to show the causative agent by means of insulation of the germ. We follow the insulation of the bud by making an antibiogram. These are on a so-called Petri dish slices with a small amount of antibiotic placed on a swab of the isolated bacteria. This way we can determine the most effective antibiotic. The practice has shown that many of the E. coli strains are resistant to many of the antibiotics used.
Providing the right tool, is therefore of importance. In these cases of nest mortality comprehensive plan of action is needed to keep repeating mortality in subsequent breeding rounds. Part of this approach is to try to reduce the risk of infection of the E. Coli. Experience has shown through the years that the acidification of the drinking water in this can be very effective. But also the provision of probiotics to increase the competition between the bacteria in the intestines again in order to try to restore the balance in the intestine so can thereby make a contribution.
This approach also works in the case of an increased number of pigeons in other age who suddenly die. In case the pigeons come massively in problems, it is necessary to apply a general therapy with antibiotics. If it is only a few pigeons we often see even better results with individual treatment of the affected pigeons supplemented with the therapy of acidification of the water combined with the provision of probiotics. The goal in both cases is to reduce the infection pressure of the E. coli which are often the result of a disturbance of the balance in the intestines.
The advantage of the approach through acidification and probiotics may be that we equal start working to restore the balance of intestinal flora, while if we first provide antibiotics the remaining intestinal flora under pressure. But again, the best approach which is different from case to case and depends on the circumstances. For both treatments, their are arguments for and against. Personally, I prefer the a more natural approach in this condition in connection with the resistance problems that in E. Coli still plays a role.
A special problem with this E. coli problem occurs during the growing up of the youngsters, as they fall prey to the Adenovirus. Precisely these pigeons seem prone to this than E. coli problems. Nevertheless, even here we will consider the same approach. Normally it will be 100 if one guy has around thirty of which suddenly come to the diarrhea and vomit to want to grab the medicine jar for the pigeons to go cure as fast as possible. Wise in this case. Indeed, if there is a raging fire will have to intervene drastically. Acidification of the drinking water and probiotics will help, will be possible to solve the problem faster, but the infection is so high that the use of antibiotics is necessary.
What we have seen the past 25 years or so, is if one supports the resistance of the youngsters and the drinking water on a regular basis sours in the event of an outbreak of this disease at a hundred pigeons not 30, but 4-5 might get problems. To quickly isolate and give individual treatment, it turns out in practice that you do not have to cure all of the pigeons, in some cases. The pigeon which is treated as an individual you better can follow. It is therefore recommend to note the numbers of these birds, because the practice often shows that these pigeons at a later date once the first fall by the wayside.
The pigeons that are so strong that they actually do not need these antibiotics also do not get, so their intestinal flora is not burdened with unnecessary antibiotics. The pigeons who need to get antibiotics to survive will, but can be watched closely this way. Net result is that one uses less antibiotics, but also a
Net result is less use of antibiotics, but also an increase in the selection means, because the weaker brothers can be removed earlier. In time, the population will be better.
Briefly. E. coli is a bacterium that can cause major problems in pigeons. But it is also one of the bacteria that can be kept in check by good loft management and a natural approach. Preventive health brings in this case the pigeons term beyond necessitated curative approach with antibiotics.
Good Luck!
Peter Boskamp
