If trichomoniasis is detected in pigeons, poultry owners should immediately begin treatment. The disease spreads quickly and is especially dangerous for young animals. A fragile body is not able to resist infection. Infected chicks suffer severely from the disease and may die. Symptoms are not always observed in adult livestock. Such individuals themselves become carriers of the virus.
Causes of the disease
The causative agents of the disease are flagellated microbes. Harmful bacteria are active in warm water, but when they enter a dry environment they lose their dangerous properties. Trichomonas multiply on mucous membranes.Therefore, the disease affects the larynx or crop of birds, as well as the organs of the digestive system.
Outbreaks of the disease are most typical in the summer. Warm water is comfortable for microorganisms. To get trichomoniasis, pigeons only need to drink from a puddle. Bacteria die in cold liquid. Even during a thaw after frost, parasites do not show activity. Therefore, in winter the disease rarely appears.
Symptoms of trichomoniasis in pigeons
When infected, birds lose activity and become slow and lethargic. Birds often refuse food and even stop drinking. Plaque that appears on the mucous membrane of the larynx blocks breathing and complicates the swallowing reflex.
Acute trichomoniasis occurs in young pigeons. At the same time, the following is observed in birds:
- Slow development.
- Thickening of the esophagus, which leads to an inability to swallow food.
- Abundant production of mucus that accumulates in the beak.
- Vomiting, often with blood clots.
- Exhaustion of the body.
- Diarrhea, accompanied by the release of a bubbling mass of a yellow-green hue.
- Unpleasant smell of rot.
In adults, trichomoniasis rarely manifests itself in the form of unpleasant symptoms. More often the disease passes without visible signs. Sometimes it is noted:
- Attacks of suffocation.
- Diarrhea.
- Gait disturbance.
Trichomoniasis manifests itself in different ways in pigeons. Some birds appear almost healthy, while others show only a few symptoms of illness. Sometimes the disease leads to the death of birds.The clinical picture depends on the ability to resist the effects of microorganisms.
Diagnostic rules
To test for trichomoniasis, material is taken from the oral cavity of pigeons. The sample is examined under a microscope. The smears are first stained using the Romanowsky method and then the number of bacteria in the drop is counted to determine the intensity of infection.
Unlike other bacteria, Trichomonas are not able to survive after being transferred from a bird to another environment. After 30 minutes, the pathogen dies. Therefore, you cannot delay the analysis. The biomaterial is examined immediately after taking the sample.
Sometimes farmers organize diagnostics for pigeons that do not show obvious signs of health problems. Studies help identify carriers of trichomoniasis in asymptomatic cases of the disease.
Treatment and prevention
Trichomoniasis can be treated at an early stage of the disease.
In this case, medications help:
| Name | Dosage | Mode of application |
| "Trichopolus" | For chicks - 35 g of the drug is diluted in 2 liters of water | The solution is dropped into the mouth from a pipette or administered through a probe. |
| For adult pigeons – 3 g per 1 l | The resulting mixture is fed to birds for several days. | |
| Silver nitrate, iodoglycerin or lugol | Prepare a 0.25% solution | Lubricate areas with ulcers |
It is recommended to remove growths on the skin of pigeons using a scalpel, then treat the affected areas with iodine. In young animals, formations in the form of a yellow plug in the oral cavity are removed and the goiter is massaged. On the eve of the breeding season, veterinarians advise adding Trichopolum to the pigeons' drink for prevention. Formalin, manganese or other disinfectants also help. The course is designed for a week. Farmers need to pay attention to the cleanliness of drinking bowls.Stagnant water is a suitable breeding ground for Trichomonas.
Crowding, dampness and drafts suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection in pigeons. It is better to place young animals separately from the main flock. Contacts with wild birds are limited as much as possible.
It is useful to add fish oil and vitamins to the diet of pigeons. Disinfecting a room with a solution of bleach or soda ash helps destroy colonies of harmful bacteria. Preventive examinations of pigeons by veterinarians, as well as examinations of smears taken from the mucous membrane, will also protect against outbreaks of infection.
Bird owners should remember that untreated cases of trichomoniasis in pigeons can be treated. Exhausted individuals often die. To ensure that the winged stock remains healthy, the birds are provided with comfortable housing and adequate nutrition.
