canker in race pigeons

Canker in Racing Pigeons


Canker, or trichomoniasis, is a parasitic disease primarily affecting the throat (although the liver and naval can be affected) of pigeons caused by the single celled parasite Trichomonas gallinae.

Infection occurs via the drinking water and from regurgitated food or crop milk. The common "textbook" clinical picture consists of yellow spots on the throat where the parasites have altered the tissue into a cheese-like substance. Most pigeon flyers are familiar with these symptoms, but we must concern ourselves with the subclinical picture.

These symptoms are more subtle and may only manifest themselves by slight inflamation of the throat and strings of mucous. Sometimes we see no symptoms at all. Recent studies of racing pigeons have revealed a negative effect on performance in even the mildest of cases. Perhaps more importantly, even a subclinical case of canker in pigeons stressed from shipping and racing can open the door for more serious viral and bacterial respiratory problems.

Diagnosis of canker is accomplished by swabbing the throat and crop with a saline soaked Q-tip and looking immeadiately under a microscope for the moving parasite. Treatment should be caried out for 5 days before the racing season and then 1-2 days every other week during the season (eg. Monday & Tuesday if the race is on Sunday). The drugs commonly used to treat canker are: Ridsol, at 1 tsp/gal; Emtryl, at 1/4-3/8 tsp/gal; Flagyl, at 25-50 mg/pigeon or 1250/2500 mg/gal; and Spartrix, at 1 tablet/pigeon. These drugs can safely be mixed with most antibiotics to treat respiratory infections.

It is important to exercise caution when treating for canker during the breeding season as the above mentioned drugs can have an adverse effect on fertility in the cock. Avoid these drugs after pairing, before the egges are laid, and when the breeders are feeding young. I usually treat for 5 days before pairing up, then again while on the eggs, then each youngster is given a Spartrix tablet before going into their youg bird loft.

The birds should be given a rest from medications during the off season to decrease the risk of developing resistance to these drugs and to allow the bird to develop somje level of natural immunity.

ian, will you be treating for canker before you pair up ?

yes david i also put them on baytryl for ten days and will be vaccinating for paratyphoid

ah right, i have some water treatments for canker, coxidiosis resprotary etc and am thinking of treating them all before pairing..........what does this baytril do for them?

DAVID wrote:

ah right, i have some water treatments for canker, coxidiosis resprotary etc and am thinking of treating them all before pairing..........what does this baytril do for them?

Start 10 day course of a broad spectrum antibiotic to (theoretically) Clear up any subolinical bacterial problems. Baytril may be a good Choice if you have had a history of Paratyphoid problems.
Note: It is always best to base your antibiotic choice on culture/sensitivity tests.