SALMONELLA OR PARATYPHOID
Signs of the disease;
GUT PARATYPHOID
Salmonella confined to the gut can be regarded as a true carrier of the disease as the only symptoms are mild or chronic loose droppings. When the pigeon passes droppings the Salmonella is released to infect other birds. Salmonella droppings are described as being green, smelly, bubbly and loose. Youngsters born with infection from the egg or who pick it up within the first few days of life may die with acute watery diarrhoea since they are not old enough for their immune system to have had a chance to build up immunity to this disease.
Eggs that are produced by the cock and hen that have Salmonella or E.coli in the droppings can give a 'coating' fo Salmonella/E.coli to the eggs, the bacterium passes into the egg where it will multiply. This will kill the developing chick causing a 'dead in the egg shell' scenario.
SYSTEMIC PARATYPHOID
After the salmonella leaves the gut (if the bird is under stress) it enters the blood stream where it multiplies before moving to other sites eg joints and the brain.
JOINT PARATYPHOID
Salmonella circulating in the blood stream can settle into joints.This makes the joint painful (dropped wing syndrome) and results in the birds inability to fly.
NERVOUS PARATYPHOID
Salmonella circulating in the blood stream can be defined as 'septicaemia' symptoms include lack of balance, mis-pecking food, head twisting. These symptoms resemble paramyxo virus, however if you have vaccinated your birds you may discount PMV infection.
DISEASE PREVENTION
The effective control of Salmonellosis is by stopping the transfer of the disease and not allowing the organism to survive outside the host. First move is to identify the source of infection and eliminate this. The most common sources of Salmonella are ferel pigeons and rodents followed by ordinary pigeons. Next clean the loft twice daily, although the floor can look clean, it will not be bacterologically clean, Using Virkon S as a discinfectant is safe and effective. The blow torch is totally effective and if used thoroughly has the advantage of totally sterilising the lofts and surfaces of all microbes.
TREATMENT
Many antibiotics can be used eg Amoxycillin, Chlotetracycline, Furazolidone, Enrofloxacin. Enrofloxacin brand name BAYTRIL is a favourite as it enters the joints and the brain where Salmonella penetrate. Whichever drug is chosen, it is necessary to treat every bird in the loft for the recommended time period and to keep the loft very clean using discinfection daily. We also recommend YBS supplement before treatment as this will keep your birds stable and will help reduce deteriation, also use after to give the birds the added multivitamins and electrolytes to help build the birds back up to full strength.
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