DISEASES and PARASITES...berbagai macam penyakit

The following diseases and parasites are among the most common. Canker This is a killer of pigeons. It is transmitted by carriers (pigeons) of the organism who are relatively unaffected by its presence in their system. A yellowish-white pustule of crust develops in the throat of the affected bird. As this growth enlarges, it closes off the windpipe opening and suffocates the bird. Mites The common red mite of poultry usually is not a problem in the pigeon and dove loft. You can control it with pesticides recommended for poultry. Pigeon lice Both feather and body lice appear on pigeons and are quite easy to control. One of the better methods for the person who has only a few pairs of birds is individual dusting with any good poultry louse powder. Examine the birds 7 to 10 days later, and if the first treatment was not 100-percent effective, repeat treatment. Infections Cold symptoms may include watery or puffy eyes, or a raspy, rattling breathing sound. Pigeons may contract a wide variety of respiratory viral and bacterial infections. Some infections (Newcastle, pigeon paramyxovirus) require vaccination, whereas others (cholera, coryza, ornithosis) require antibiotics. They cannot be differentiated without a laboratory diagnosis. Paratyphoid This is a common infectious disease of pigeons, and is probably the most devastating infectious bacterial disease. Two symptoms are swollen joints and severe diarrhea. Birds generally die if not treated. Internal parasites of pigeons There are many kinds of internal parasites that affect pigeons, namely protozoa (which cause canker) and worms (roundworms, flukes, tapeworms, and thorny-headed). The roundworm is by far the most common and most 7 hazardous. Roundworms usually live in the gastrointestinal tract including 4-H 154 10/2008 the crop, proventriculus, gizzard, and intestines. The worms share two things in common. Their eggs are next to impossible to kill in litter, manure, or on most surfaces, and infection occurs when the eggs are swallowed while the birds are foraging. The symptoms of infection vary, but the more common symptoms are weak legs, cloudy eyes, diarrhea, general poor movement, dull feathering, or weight loss. The larger the worm load and the younger the bird, the more severe the signs. You can achieve prevention by thoroughly and frequently removing litter and droppings. Medications given in the drinking water once a month will keep the parasite population to a minimum. Be aware that during very hot weather, pigeons will drink too much of the medicated water and overdose. Do not medicate baby birds or breeders during the mating season. It’s best to treat each bird individually on a milligram-per-pound medicated oral dosage. The results are very reliable. Diarrhea can be caused by coccidiosis, salmonella, or worms. You’ll need to have a veterinarian examine the pigeons’ droppings for parasite eggs and recommend treatment. Remember, if you administer medication that is not officially approved for birds, you do so at your own risk. The best insurance against parasite infection is a good, sound sanitation program.