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Young Bird Sickness

Young bird sickness has spread rapidly around the world in recent years, causing severe losses among young birds.

Pathogen:
This is a mixed infection, involving viruses and bacteria (especially E.coli and cocci, but also protozoa).
The pathogens are transmitted by air, dust and contact between birds, as well as via communal drinking water and feed.
Outbreaks of the disease are promoted by stress factors such as weaning, the introduction of strange birds into a loft, vaccination, heat (accelerated bacterial growth, water shortage), training of juveniles (basketing) and young pigeon flights.

Symptoms of the disease:
The disease can take two forms:

Sudden death not preceded by any perceptible signs of illness:
A typical scenario sees young pigeons released from the loft for their daily training (on a hot summer's day, perhaps), whereupon they fly around for an hour and then return to the loft. They land on the roof or on the alighting ledge, do not respond to the breeder's attempts to entice them into the loft, and die within the space of a few hours.

Death preceded by visible signs of illness:
During the period between the onset of symptoms and death (lasting from 3 days to 1 week), the following symptoms are observed: lack of activity, puffed-up plumage, refusal of feed, swelling of the crop, weight loss, greenish-yellow faeces in puddles, vomiting.

Recognition of the disease:
Owing to the numerous pathogens involved in this disease, it is only possible to make a tentative diagnosis.

Similar conditions:
E.coli infection, Hexamitiasis.

Treatment:
There is no vaccine against young pigeon disease that could be used to prevent infection. However, sick pigeons can be treated with adenosan. And timely use of adenosan may also prevent an outbreak of the disease in birds suspected of infection.

1.	adenosan is used:
		For at least 7 days at the first symptoms of young pigeon disease. If the disease is only recognised at a later stage, it is additionally necessary to use a chemotherapeutic agent with antibiotic activity (preferably furazolidon+) in order to contain the bacterial infection. The active ingredient furazolidone has been shown to possess specific efficacy against E.coli infections in the gut.
2.	adenosan is used in the following situations, where there is reason to fear infection as a result of contact with other young pigeons:
		For a 7-day period when introducing new youngsters to the flock.
		During the flying season, for 3 days after flights.
3.	adenosan is used when a disease outbreak is likely as a result of a challenge to the immune system:
		In connection with vaccinations (paramyxovirus infection, Salmonella, pigeon pox) - for 3 days before immunisation and 4 days thereafter.
4.	adenosan is used where a change in gut flora predisposes birds to a disease outbreak.
		When treating birds for trichomonads, we recommend parallel administration of adenosan over a period of 7 days, beginning 3 days prior to treatment.

Young Bird Sickness

Young Bird Sickness aggravated by an E.coli infection