Paramyxovirus (pigeon Newcastle disease) in pigeons
Other names: Paramyxo، Lawiya (twisting)، Neck twisting، Torsion، Tremor، Rousha، Pigeon Newcastle disease
Symptoms
- Green/bluish watery diarrhea and increased thirst (droppings are water around a spot)
- Neurological signs: neck twisting (torticollis), tremor, loss of balance, pecking beside the grain
- Paralysis of a wing or leg
- Conjunctivitis and sometimes nasal discharge
- Mortality can reach 40%
How it spreads
Through droppings and secretions, contaminated feed and water, contact between pigeons in baskets, races and markets, and equipment and breeders.
Diagnosis
Neurological signs + watery diarrhea are suggestive; confirmation by PCR or virus isolation from a cloacal or crop swab or from tissues in a veterinary laboratory.
Treatment
No treatment for the virus. Supportive care: a quiet, dark place, feed and water within the bird's reach, electrolytes, and prevention of secondary infection as directed by the veterinarian. Many birds recover after weeks but a neurological sequela may remain.
Prevention
Vaccination with the inactivated (oil-based) vaccine - the reference states that live virus is prohibited in pigeons. Vaccinate squabs after weaning and give an annual booster to adults 4-6 weeks before pairing/the season. Isolate new birds.
Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.
Other diseases
- Pigeon pox
- Adenovirus type 1 (classical)
- Adenovirus type 2 (necrotizing hepatitis)
- Circovirus (pigeon circovirus)
- Young Bird Sickness syndrome (YBS)
- Herpes (pigeon herpesvirus)
- Pigeon rotavirus
- Avian influenza
Sources
- merckvetmanual.com
- en.wikipedia.org
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Facebook: 'Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Gamsa branch sales outlet' + official VSVRI page (@vsvri) - snippets via Google
- Facebook: 'Egyptian Veterinary Prevention' (Cervac pigeon paramyxo vaccine, 20 doses) + 'Sunset Oasis for Meat Pigeons' - snippets via Google