Paramyxovirus

    This virus disease was first found to take an epidemic course in pigeons in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1982. Following a large international fancy pigeon show the disease occurred in pedigreed pigeons in the winter of 1982/1983 After the start of the racing season in the summer of 1983, numerous cases occurred also in racing pigeons with substantial losses. The Paramyxovirus of pigeons is closely related to the virus of atypical fowl pest (Newcastle Disease). The virus spreads by direct contact from bird to bird or indirectly through the pathogen bearing dust. This dust is also spread by insects (flies, mosquitoes), mammals, (rats, mice) and humans.

    The first sign of the disease is increased water intake and watery droppings, soon some of the birds show central nervous disorders like paralysis, torsion of the neck, increased timidity and typical twisting movements of the body. To detect the infection at an early stage these nervous disorders can be provoked if there is reason to suspect the disease. A pigeon suspected of Paramyxovirus is put into an unaccustomed position, for example it is placed on its side, or is frightened by the clapping of one's hands. Pigeons suffering from Paramyxovirus are no longer able to control the takeoff reflex in such situations of fright. They either fly against a wall or overturn in flight. The infected pigeons show typical behavior when trying to eat their grain. They try to pick the grain, but just before reaching the grain they jerk their head sideways' thus missing the grain. This condition will worsen until the bird will not be able to pick up any seeds at all. Of the visibly affected pigeons, some will die quickly, but the majority live on and develop poorly. 

• General Measures If The Disease Is Suspected: If Paramyxovirus is suspected, precautionary measures should be taken which slow down or prevent the spread of the infection, until the position has been clarified.

• The most important action that should be taken immediately is to establish the cause of the disease. For this purpose laboratory tests described have to be carried out.

• All diseases found in addition to paramyxovirus during the investigation and especially the laboratory test, must be treated at once. The progress of the virus infection is mitigated by the elimination of concomitant diseases.

• Pigeons with visible signs of the disease (diarrhea, central nervous disorders) should be separated from the rest of the loft and treated.

• Affected birds should be offered water in vessels with a large surface, since pigeons with nervous disorders are often unable to take up water from normal drinking vessels.

• Pigeons showing pronounced central nervous disorders should be fed individually. In the loft they would not be able to feed at all, since the healthy pigeons would quickly eat up all the feed.

• FREE FLIGHT SHOULD BE STOPPED ALTOGETHER

• Outsiders should not be allowed to enter the loft.

• To stabilize the intestinal environment, give the pigeons beneficial bacteria.

• Measures To Be Taken If Paramyxovirus Is Present: The virus infection cannot be treated by giving drugs that contain antibiotics. With this type of pathogen, only vaccination can prevent the spread of the infection. According to present findings, the immunity conferred by the vaccine lasts only 6 months.

• All pigeons with severe central nervous disorders should be culled, since the prospects of a cure are very poor.

• I the fancier does not wish to eliminate valuable pigeons, they should be separated from the rest of the loft. Vaccination of diseased birds is not possible.

• Emergency vaccination which can prevent the spread of the virus infection, should be carried out in all pigeons that still appear to be healthy. After the emergency vaccination it will still take 2 or 3 weeks until sufficient antibodies have been formed.  During this time further cases of the disease may appear. At the time of vaccination, such pigeons were in the incubation phase, i.e. they were already infected by the virus, but did not show any sign of the disease.

• All pigeons in lofts in the vicinity of the affected loft and having contact with it, should be vaccinated, even if no cases of the disease have been observed.

• Hygienic measures and disinfection should be carried out to support vaccination: droppings, remnants of feed and litter should be removed daily when cleaning the loft. Cleaned surfaces should be disinfected.

• Supportive Measures: Administration of vitamins, particularly of the B complex, and of body salts in the form of electrolytes in the drinking water.

• Beneficial bacteria for the intestinal flora.

• Secondary infections should be treated.

   The medication of choice is: Colombovac pmv/pox. For the prevention of paramyxovirus and pox in pigeons, all in one injection. Should be injected under the skin on the upper rear part of the neck, below the head area. Dosage is 0.2cc per pigeon. Do not vaccinate pigeons under 6 weeks of age. Keep vaccine refrigerated until use, use all of the vaccine after opening, dispose of the unused portions and syringes properly.

• Coccidiosis

• Mites and Ticks

• Ornithosis

• Pox

• Salmonellosis (Paratyphoid)

• Trichomoniasis (Canker)

• Worms

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