just shows you, you give antibiotics to your birds for one illness and these can the cause the pigeons more issues.
Good video again Devo
Re: Red throat
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2026 9:19 am
by Murray
Tony-P- wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2026 7:27 am
just shows you, you give antibiotics to your birds for one illness and these can the cause the pigeons more issues.
Good video again Devo
That's true, Tony.
Antibiotics are an absolute blessing when they are needed. I always say I don't treat my pigeons, I never say I won't treat my pigeons.
I threw out the last medications I had, probably 10 years ago because they were well out of date. But I've spoken to the vet in St Arnaud and she will happily give me any medications if the need ever arises.
I've seen it described very well as,
When you give them antibiotics they have to recover twice. Once from the illness and again from the antibiotics.
Re: Red throat
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2026 11:01 am
by Winfort Lofts
Would I be right thinking that's what we refer to as Canker?
Re: Red throat
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2026 11:44 am
by Murray
Winfort Lofts wrote: Tue Sep 22, 2026 11:01 am
Would I be right thinking that's what we refer to as Canker?
Oh, there are a myriad of illnesses that pigeons can be affected by. Canker is a common one, and the drugs used are really not antibiotics.
Re: Red throat
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2026 2:25 pm
by Tony-P-
Very confusing all this, do we give meds if needed or not will the meds cause the birds more illnesses once given
Can I ask when do the birds get their jabs would this be before breeding season starts
Re: Red throat
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2026 9:34 pm
by Murray
It's pretty simple really. If you get an infection the doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics. You take the course and hopefully get better. When you are well you don't take antibiotics just in case you get sick.
As we know the use of antibiotics is being severely reduced to try and slow the increase in drug resistant "Superbugs". I have lung disease and got a chest infection a while ago. The doctor was about to put me on antibiotics and then asked if I'd be happy to try to get through it without them. We agreed I'd give it a try and if it got worse we'd have another think. I was a bit poorly for a few days then slowly came right.
Same with the pigeons. If they are really sick to not treat them is wrong and probably illegal. Whacking medicines into them because one or two are off colour isn't helping them in the long run.
Racing is a different story. They share the transporter with birds that can be carrying anything. Some judicious use of medications is sometimes required. Cross that bridge when you get to it.