Pigeoncote.com
Pigeoncote.com is one of the oldest and best sites dedicated to pigeons. Their Medical Formulary pages provide very easy to understand and vet approved solutions and descriptions of most common pigeon illnesses and medications (http://www.pigeoncote.com/vet/formulary/formulary.html).
The Pigeon Medicine Cabinet – By Dr. David E. Marx DVM
From one of the most recognised and active avian veterinarian in the pigeon world, this is a reference to commonly used medications and their application.
See article (Article prepared by Raymond Julien).
Pigeon Fancier’s Lung
Know the symptoms and the risks and how to avoid them.
A great source of Information on a subject every fancier should be aware of from BRITISH PIGEON FANCIERS MEDICAL RESEARCH (http://www.pigeon-lung.co.uk).
Pigeons and avian influenza (bird flu)
Avian influenza (bird flu) in pigeons – what are the risks?
Numerous veterinarians have attested to the fact that Pigeons constitute no significant health risk to humans or to other domestic or wild animals. Pigeons have a normal body temperature several degrees higher than human body temperature, and so any diseases particular to pigeons are not able to cross the species barrier to infect humans.
Some strains of avian influenza can be transmitted to humans and other animals but this is normally only the case following high levels of exposure to infected birds and/or their faecal matter. People most at risk would be those involved in intensive farming, in particular the poultry industry. These strains will normally only cause mild symptoms in humans but a south-east Asian strain has previously caused a number of deaths. Although humans can be infected from birds the current highly pathogenic H5N1 strain does not readily infect people and there is very little chance, if any, for human-to-human spread of the disease
Much research has been carried out to better understand the threat posed by the pigeon (feral and domesticated) and research is ongoing in many parts of the world, particularly in those countries worst affected. A thorough scientific research programme was undertaken following the outbreak of the highly pathogenic strain H5N2 in the north-eastern United States (in 1983/4) to assess the potential for wild birds to spread disease amongst local farms.
It is quite clear from all the information available that avian influenza continues to be a threat to both humans and birds, but the likelihood of its transmission to humans as a result of contact with the pigeon or its faeces is virtually nil. The feral pigeon is reputed to be the ultimate disease-carrier, harbouring the capability to spread a huge variety of diseases to both humans and other birds and animals, but in reality this is a myth. As can be seen from the findings of several research programmes, the pigeon is at the bottom of the list of those species that have the potential to spread avian influenza and it is likely that this is the case with most of the other diseases that are commonly associated with the pigeon.
Used with permission of – Pigeon Control Resource Centre
Complete article available at http://www.pigeoncontrolresourcecentre.org/html/pigeons-and-avian-influenza-bird-flu.html.
