Paramyxovirus disease in racing pigeons

Summary

Since 1981 a highly contagious viral disease causing high morbidity and low mortality in racing pigeons has spread over Europe. The virus belongs to the avian paramyxovirus sero group I. Clinical signs include watery droppings, polydypsia and neurologic signs in a high proportion of infected animals.

Definitive diagnosis can be made by virus isolation in cell cultures or chicken embryos, and virus identification by haemagglutination and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The HI test, using sera from suspected animals, is a useful clinical tool to confirm the diagnosis. The most important differential diagnosis is salmonellosis. Good immunity against this disease can be acquired by subcutaneous vaccination with an inactivated oil adjuvant poultry NDV‐vaccine.

For the benefit of pigeon racing a plea is made for compulsory vaccination in countries in which the disease is endemic.     

Virus distribution and histopathologic changes in organs of chickens inoculated with Newcastle disease virus (avian paramyxovirus-1) isolated from racing pigeons

The virus distribution and histopathologic changes in organs of 1-week-old chickens inoculated with three representative isolates of Newcastle disease virus isolated from racing pigeons in Japan were examined. All three isolates were recovered from various organs, including brain, for several days, but not from the blood. Results were highly correlated with their high intracerebral pathogenicity indices (ICPI), in spite of their long mean death time of minimum lethal dose (MDT/MLD).     

赛鸽咏调录

鸽声如潮 鸽子在求偶时发出的声音有时如波涛汹涌．有时如潺潺流水,有时又似风平浪静、温柔可亲的娓娓之声。它们在相聚中是那样渴望对方情欲的释放,它们在求爱时是那样翩翩起舞而又舞姿优美,它们在情欲的释放中又是那样穷追不舍地施爱。求得配偶的欢心并给予回应是它们生理的需求．也是它们繁殖后代的责任。情哥（鸽）能配上“西施”（美鸽）是鸽子们一生中最重要的时期．也是育种的关健时期．抓住这个时期就抓住了希望。     

养鸽和赛鸽的良师益友

在每个养鸽爱好者的养鸽生涯中,由于很少有名家高手作为师父言传身教,因此,鸽刊杂志理所当然地成为了鸽友们获取知识的源泉。     

Body composition and exercise in racing pigeons

Exercise-related changes in body protein 'turnover' and in the absolute amounts of body protein were studied in racing pigeons. Whole body radioactivity was followed in racing and control (limited exercise) birds after protein labelling by the injection of 75Seselenomethionine. Because of re-utilisation of the label this does not give a true picture of body protein turnover but the comparative data suggested an increased turnover in racing compared to control birds. Carcase analysis on a group of pigeons demonstrated a water content for lean body mass of 72.7 per cent +/- 3.54. Lean body mass and exchangeable body potassium were used as indices of total body protein in a group of pigeons participating in an endurance race (15 + hours of flying). The results indicated that no body protein had been used as an energy source. These findings are compatible with the presence in pigeons of a small labile pool or pools of protein. The presence and characteristics of such pools remains to be determined.     

西北大满贯赛鸽家——王辉先生

在竞技体育运动中,大家经常会听到某项．目某某运动员获得了大满贯,这也是每位运动员在其运动生涯中奋斗的目标和获得的最大荣耀。在中国被划归为民间体育运动的赛鸽运动中也有大满贯赛鸽家的存在——我国西北部甘肃省首府兰州养鸽名家王辉先生便是其中之一。     

Transport of racing pigeons and animal welfare

A short overview about the transport of the racing pigeon from home to the place of liberation will be given. Some facts related to the transport will be explained. Facts like Number of pigeons in one crate, supplying the pigeons with water and food during transportation and at the place of liberation, the supply of the pigeons with fresh air will be explained.     

艰难赛线锻造出好鸽子

我们梧州鸽会定期举行集会．鸽友们聚在一起．或探讨交流,或闲谈说笑．既会大谈当今鸽坛的赛事,又不免想起一些养鸽旧事,于是有些鸽友因以前对鸽事无知而大笑不止,有些则因之前的挫折失败而懊悔不已,等等。而我由于入会比较迟常常坐在一旁倾听,即便插不上话内心也感到无比的愉快。     

Histopathological changes in green muscle disease of turkeys

In this study, results of histopathological investigations of meat samples collected from turkeys with macroscopically recognized green muscle disease were compared with those obtained from turkeys without macroscopic signs of this syndrome. The histopathological lesions were assessed based upon the self-designed 7-grade scale of the intensity of changes. The greatest intensity of the histopathological alterations were found in the smaller pectoral muscle collected from turkeys in which macroscopical signs of the green muscle disease were observed. Similar changes were also found in the greater pectoral muscle, however, they were less intense than those determined in the smaller pectoral muscle.     

Protective effects of vaccines against experimental salmonellosis in racing pigeons

Five inactivated and one attenuated vaccine produced for the prevention of salmonellosis in pigeons were compared in an experimental challenge model. The birds were vaccinated according to the recommendations of the manufacturers and they were infected by gavage with a Salmonella typhimurium (var copenhagen) pigeon strain. The challenged control animals showed severe weight loss, excessive water intake over a prolonged period, and excreted large numbers of salmonellae. None of the vaccines fully protected the pigeons, and only an inactivated oil adjuvant vaccine was able to reduce the severity of the clinical signs significantly. Mortality was low and tended to increase with the severity of the clinical signs. These results do not justify the preventive use of salmonella vaccination in pigeons. Nevertheless, the oil adjuvant vaccine may help in the effective cleaning of lofts after an outbreak of salmonellosis.     

Streptococcus gallolyticus infections in racing pigeons, a literature review

S. gallolyticus, formerly known as S. bovis is known since 1988 as a facultative pathogen of racing pigeons. Important clinical signs include acute mortality, inability to fly, lameness, weight loss and slimy green diarrhea. A pathognomonic sign at post mortem examination is the presence of well circumscribed areas of necrosis in the pectoral muscle. Furthermore tenosynovitis of the supracoracoid muscle and arthritis of the knee, shoulder and hock can be observed. In one study S. gallolyticus septicaemia was diagnosed in 10% of necropsied pigeons. Since S. gallolyticus was also isolated from nearly 40% of clinical healthy pigeons it is regarded as a facultative pathogen. Various biotypes, serotypes and culture supernatant phenotypes can be distinguished. Supernatant phenotypes are identified on the basis of the presence of either a T1, T2 or T3 protein triplet and the presence or absence of an extracellular A protein. S. gallolyticus strains with A protein are highly virulent, while strains with only T3 or T2 protein are of moderately or low virulence respectively. Fimbriae are only seen in highly virulent and some of the moderately virulent strains. Possible virulence factors include survival in macrophages, adhesion to cells and toxin production. Infection with serotype 1 and 2 induces some degree of protection against re-infection with serotype 1, which offers perspectives for the development of a vaccine. Experimentally ampicillin, doxycycline and erythromycin have shown therapeutic effects. For the treatment of clinical cases the use of ampicillin is advocated, together with hygienic measures, such as the use of grid floors and avoiding overcrowding.     

Serological survey of racing pigeons for selected pathogens in Taiwan

To investigate the pathogens that racing pigeons in Taiwan are exposed to, a total of 3764 pigeons from 90 lofts were analysed by collection of blood samples in the period between October 2000 and September 2001. The haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test was performed to detect antibodies against Newcastle disease virus (NDV), type 2 avian paramyxovirus (APMV-2), and egg drop syndrome '76 virus (EDS-76V). The agar-gel precipitin (AGP) test was used to detect antibodies against fowl adenovirus (FAV), goose parvovirus (GPV), and avian reovirus (REO). The virus neutralisation (VN) test was applied to detect antibodies against the serotypes FAV-1 and FAV-8. A rapid serum agglutination test was applied for the detection of antibodies against Mycoplasma spp. Antibodies to several infectious agents were found, including NDV (43.3%), EDS-76V (19.2%), FAV (0.8%), REO (0.5%), APMV-2 (0.2%), Mycoplasma columbinum (10.3%), M. columborale (7.1%), M. synoviae (1.8%) and M. gallisepticum (1.3%). Antibodies against GPV, FAV-1, and FAV-8 were not detected in any serum sample. NDV seroprevalence was significantly higher in pigeons of more than one year of age than in pigeons younger than one year. ND or EDS-76 seroprevalence of pigeons vaccinated with ND vaccine or EDS-76 vaccine was significantly higher than that of pigeons that did not receive any vaccination.     

Paramyxovirus disease in racing pigeons. Clinical aspects and immunization. A report from the Netherlands

Since 1981 a highly contagious viral disease causing high morbidity and low mortality in racing pigeons has spread over Europe. The virus belongs to the avian paramyxovirus sero group I. Clinical signs include watery droppings, polydypsia and neurologic signs in a high proportion of infected animals. Definitive diagnosis can be made by virus isolation in cell cultures or chicken embryos, and virus identification by haemagglutination and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The HI test, using sera from suspected animals, is a useful clinical tool to confirm the diagnosis. The most important differential diagnosis is salmonellosis. Good immunity against this disease can be acquired by subcutaneous vaccination with an inactivated oil adjuvant poultry NDV-vaccine. For the benefit of pigeon racing a plea is made for compulsory vaccination in countries in which the disease is endemic.     

The compatibility of ronidazol in racing pigeons in a controlled clinical study

Ronidazol is often used in racing pigeons for the treatment of Trichomonas infections and diseases. Therefore, in this study, the compatibility of the drug was examined by oral application over 7 days. For this purpose a randomized blind study was performed using four different groups (control group, 10 mg = therapy-group, 20 mg = double-dose-group and 40 mg = high-dose-group) of pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) with 6 male and 6 female birds each. All birds were clinically healthy and between 6 and 12 weeks of age. The application of ronidazol at a dose of 10 mg/racing pigeon did show no side-effect within the duration of the study, e.g. no influence could be seen on clinical, haematological, blood-chemical and pathological parameters. Low-to middle-grade clinical alterations of the gastro-intestinal tract occurred in the high-dose group at day 6 and 7 of the application of the drug. Therefore a fourfold overdosing of ronidazol should be avoided.     

Factors affecting prerace dehydration and performance of racing greyhounds

Several factors, including age, sex, race number, post position, and race class, were evaluated for relationships to prerace percentage body weight loss and performance in all Greyhounds racing during August 1983 in Oregon. The incidence of percentage body weight loss greater than or equal to 2.5% was low (5%). Race number had a direct effect on weight loss; the later the dogs raced, the more weight loss they experienced. Female dogs were 3 times more likely to lose greater than 2.4% of body weight than males. All dogs experiencing greater than 2.4% body weight loss were 2 times more likely to finish in the first 3 places when racing in the first 5 races overall. In addition, males losing greater than 2.4% of body weight performed better than females when racing together in the final 6 races. Males appeared to be better performers than females, as they were twice as likely to be in class A races. However, once in the race, males and females performed equally.     

Thromboelastographic changes after gonadectomy in retired racing greyhounds

Twenty-one healthy greyhounds with no history or clinical signs of bleeding disorders, and no abnormalities on physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profiles (in dogs more than five years of age), and SNAP-4DX test for vector borne diseases underwent routine gonadectomies at the Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Blood samples were collected 24 hours before and after surgery by jugular venepuncture for thromboelastography and haemostasis assays (prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], fibrinogen concentration). The magnitude of the bleeding in each patient was estimated using a bleeding scoring system recently validated in greyhounds. Eight dogs were classified as bleeders and 13 as non-bleeders. Thromboelastograph (TEG) tracings in bleeders were different to that of non-bleeders. Neither sex (odds ratio [OR]: 0.148, P=0.05), haematocrit (OR: 0.907, P=0.39), platelet count (OR: 0.996, P=0.65) or age (OR: 0.949, P=0.83) were predictors of the outcome. None of the variables that evaluated clot kinetics, and fibrinolysis (that is, aPTT OR: 0.781, P=0.51; PT OR: 1.337, P=0.63; TEG(R) OR: 1.269, P=0.06; TEG(K) OR: 1.696, P=0.05; TEG(LY60) OR: 1.028, P=0.81) were able to predict the bleeding episodes. Only the TEG variables that represent the fibrin cross-linking of the clot (TEG(angle) OR: 0.903, P=0.03); and the strength of the clot (TEG(MA) OR: 0.833, P=0.03) were considered predictors of the outcome.