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RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Cause: Virus                             

Survival off birds: Week or Less

Common Worldwide: Resembles many other diseases!

Carrier: Airborne or in Bedding, Water & Feed from Coughing/Sneezing, Sinus Discharge. Incubation is 18 to 36 hours NOT A HUMAN VIRUS

Symptoms: In birds of all ages: coughing, sneezing, rattling in throat or chest, wet eyes, nasal discharge, and gasping.

Treatment: In very early stage, if noticed in a day or two sometimes treating the symptoms the same as humans do for the beginning of a common cold does the trick. Give vitamins with electrolytes in drinking water, keep birds warm, dry, out of drafts and well fed. Avoid Crowding!

If birds become very quiet, and you do not see them improving within a few days, a treatment of antibiotics may be in order. If gasping is noticed treatment should be started immediately. Have medications on hand.

Since diagnosis is very difficult of which type of respiratory problem your bird or birds have, treatment at best is a matter of guess work. There are many respiratory diseases with similar symptoms and without a diagnostic work up by a veterinarian, cultures, etc. treatment is guess work but many of the same medications are used although in different strengths and mixtures. Watch your bird and note all symptoms when you call your medical supplier so they can help and advise you properly.

Early stages you may use Tetracycline at a rate of 1/2 Teaspoon per quart of water. Mix fresh each watering.     Give for 3-5 days or until symptoms lessen, leave on vitamins for a period of 10 days. Or Terramycin at 2 teaspoons to a gallon of water may be given.

Once gasping is noticed the best product I have found is a respiratory drop that can be purchased only at Clausing Company in Nocatee, FL. This is not readily available because it is made more specifically for pigeons.   Put one   drop in each eye and in each nostril twice daily for sever cases. Use once a day for less severe cases. This should be done for 3-7 days or until gasping symptoms disappear. During this time also leave your birds on the antibiotic you are working with.

If symptoms persist you have undoubtedly misdiagnosed and it's possible you have contacted Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) in your flock which is not a viral infection.