In our pigeon vetcenter you can have the health of your pigeons checked. We use several research methods.
The following list contains some of these methods. There are several kind of examinations possible.
You can bring manure along to the pigeon vet, also you can send the manure by post.
1. Basic research manure.
If we want to examine the manure, we have to perform a review by accumulation, through a collective preparation. First, the manure has to be diluted with water. After proper mixing, the sample is spun in a centrifuge.
The sediment is then diluted again. This time in a saturated common salt solution or a zinc sulphate solution. The obtained preparation is then examined under a microscope for the presence of coccidiosis, rinsing- and/or hairworm eggs. Also the preparation can be checked on the amount of yeasts.
Out of the question are the examinations where just a piece of the manure is put on the microscope slide and then diluted with water. This means the examination is done without an accumulation of manure. Through this method, there has to be a heavy infestation before anything can be demonstrated.
If we assume that the difference between winning and losing in the sport depends on small things, than something as a "manure check" in the latter way can be compared to bailing with a colander.
Per sample: €5.51
2. Manure research on paratyphoid.
To get a good picture of the infection with paratyphoid among the pigeons, it is important that a good manure sample is delivered. A good manure sample means a well-mixed sample from the pigeons, collected over a period of five days. A small part of this sample is put on a plate for a bacteriological culture for salmonella bacteria.
Why collect a five day sample? Through this way the accuracy increases. Recently, i encounted a pigeonlover who collected manure samples, every day one sample. He had not mixed the five samples and supplied me with just a small part of the samples. So it was possible (for science) to make five separate cultures. And what happend? The manure sample of day one, day two and day four were positive for paratyphoid and the samples of day three and day five were negative. We repeated this study and got the same results.
This indicates that the paratyphoid bacteria is not secreted constantly.
Per sample: €18.60
3. Manure research on E. Coli, Streptococcus etc.
We often encounter results of colleagues who concluded that there was E. Coli present in the manure and therefore advised an antibiotic treatment.
We do not support these conclusions. A lot of manure samples contain E. Coli. But not every strain of E. Coli is pathogenic. It would be foolish to give an antibiotic treatment for every strain of E. Coli. The pigeons often won't get better, but worse.
Just like E. Coli, Streptococcus are often present in the manure. This is also a reason for my colleagues to treat the pigeons with antibiotic. We don't support these conclusions either.
If we find Streptococcus in the organs during section, then we proceed to a treatment with antibiotic. But Streptococcus in the intestines are no reason to start with an antibiotic treatment.
If there are dead pigeons at night who seemed apparently healthy in the morning, then there could be a reason to treat the pigeons for Streptococcus. Because the cause of this phenomenon is often a Streptococcus infection.
Per sample: €36,87
4. Throat and cloaca swab.
A good basic examination contains also a throat swab. Besides the presence of Trichomoniasis, the swab has to be checked for mucus and/or inflammation cells.
The treatment depends on the degree of infestation of Trichomoniasis. For heavy infestations, the treatment is sticking up a capsule for two consecutive days. We have to keep in mind that the pigeons don't drink enough this time of year. So administration through the drinking water results in low blood sugar and this means that the infection cannot be fought off. The pigeons remain with a residual infection which usually reaches its former level of infestation within two weeks. Putting the treatment over the food is a better option, but sticking up the capsule is a sure treatment.
In the cloaca swab, you can find a Hexamiten infection. This infection is primarily important for the youngsters and can be treated with capsules.
5. Clinical research.
During a well preformed examination, a check of the airways cannot be missing. An experienced pigeon vet can assess in what degree there are problems with the upper respiratory tract and the deepest airways. It is especially important to know if there are any problems with the deepest airways.
In case of doubt, it is easy to take tissue from the airways for further research.
Through this examination, you can find the drugs which are most effective through a so-called Antibiogram. This means that the treatment exists of Majestic Drugs, which meant that the treatment is optimal.
During this test, the swab with bacteria will be placed between little patches of antibiotic, and when some time has passed, they will be examined and the best antibiotic is the patch on which the least amount of bacteria are.
Especially the clinical examination of the pigeons (airways, condition, old down, lice, old pens etc.) can contribute on establishing the right approach towards the season, and even during the season.
If there are specific symptoms, then there are a lot of other research methods to figure out the cause of these symptoms. There could be certain clues that point to, for example, a Candidasis infection which blocks the mold development. To make a final determination, we have to use more specific cultures.
In case of a suspect Chlamydia infection, using a Stamp-staining, we can get an impression of the infection. If wanted, we can send some material to a laboratory who use a PCR-test to determine the presence of a Chlamydia infection.
In specific cases, an X-ray is useful, of a blood test. The causes of persistent problems can only be determined through section of a few pigeons. Extended tissue examination and/or bacteriological or virus research is in some cases necessary to make a definite conclusion.
The latter method can be useful for some chronically problems. The basic method should take place with every pigeonlover who take the sport seriously.
