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E.coli infection

 Alongside salmonellae, Escherichia coli are among the most frequent causes of bacterial enteropathies in pigeons.

Pathogen:
E.coli is part of the normal gut flora of humans and warm-blooded animals. Coli bacteria excreted in the faeces can survive in the environment for many months, maintaining their ability to multiply. Coli bacteria enter the digestive tract or respiratory organs - and even the air sacs - with contaminated feed or water, or alternatively with respiratory air, enveloped in dust particles.

Course of the disease:
Profuse multiplication of pathogenic E.coli bacteria rapidly results in severe enteritis, which in turn leads to considerable loss of water and electrolytes. Pathogenic coli bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and colonise individual organs. The result is a systemic disorder, known as colisepticaemia, which after an acute course can end in death either within a few hours or only after several days.

Symptoms of the disease:
The clinical picture is characterised by typical signs of a systemic disorder, such as listlessness, refusal of feed, increased water uptake and onset of emaciation. The respiratory tract may also be involved, especially the air sacs. Recognition of the disease: Bacteriological examination of organ samples. Examination must take place within 24 hours of the pigeon dying, since normal enteric coli bacteria can rapidly colonise the organs of the dead bird and thus make it difficult to demonstrate the actual causative organism. The appropriate medication for treatment is determined with the aid of an antibiogram.

Similar conditions:
Salmonellosis, Hexamitiasis, Coccidiosis.

Treatment:
Treatment with furazolidon+ should be commenced immediately upon appearance of the symptoms described. Once the results of the bacteriological examination and the antibiogram become available, a change of treatment may be necessary (e.g. to chloramphenicol-N or ampicillin-t).

E.coli infection