In this episode Dr PL Van Zyl explains more about the most common disease of pigeons, Salmonella.
Paratyphoid is a well known disease to Pigeon racers and Fancy pigeon keepers .
IN young birds the "gastro" form is most common with symptoms of Diarrhea and going light. Death occurs is some.
Older birds with different immunity are able to withstand the "gastro form" but the Salmonella may penetrate the git or intestinal tract and lodge in various filters of the body.
Brian - with neurological signs
Joint with swollen joints and rapidly damaging the joint.
The reproductive organs . Ovary infection often manifests at breeding time and may be passed on to the egg!! Occasional infertility in Cock birds also occurs
Spreads throughout the body
Outcome of Paratyphoid ( salmonella enterica) in racing pigeons often depends on the speed of diagnosis and treatment.
The source is likely Pigeon to Pigeon transmission, rather that due to mice or rats.
It appears that Paratyphoid in racing Pigeons may not be Zoonotic, ie transmissible to pigeon fanciers.
Lofts are often infected by the bacteria carried in wild pigeons - usually the wild birds are unaffected. So Paratyphoid is out there and will affect the lofts at some time!.