Infectious respiratory diseases in pigeons

You can have your pigeons tested for the main infectious respiratory diseases: herpesvirus, mycoplasma and chlamydia. Detecting and tackling these pathogens in time can greatly improve the health and performance of your pigeons. NeorniLab is ready to provide a thorough and accurate screening.

• Herpesvirus can cause tracheitis (inflammation of the windpipe), conjunctivitis, a coating in the throat and acute death. Young pigeons are often more susceptible to the virus and can show severe symptoms, including coughing, sneezing and general weakness. Death in young pigeons can be avoided by vaccinating the breeding birds before the breeding season.
• Mycoplasma can lead to chronic respiratory problems. Symptoms include laboured breathing, coughing, sneezing and reduced condition. This bacterium spreads easily through direct contact or through the air.
• Chlamydia, often called "parrot fever" or, more scientifically, psittacosis or ornithosis, is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. The bacterium is a zoonosis: it can be transmitted from pigeons to humans. In pigeons, the infection can range from asymptomatic (without symptoms) to severe illness. Common symptoms include reduced appetite, fatigue, breathing problems (such as nasal discharge and laboured, pumping breathing), diarrhoea, conjunctivitis (eye inflammation) and, in some cases, even acute death.