Staphylococci
In the Pigeonsport there are a number of bacterial infections an important role. These infections can give proper clinical signs that can affect many pigeons. Most textbooks are full of these infections. Less attention is given to those infections where the clinical signs are usually not that bad, but it can greatly affect the condition and performance of the pigeons negatively during the racing season. But precisely because they usually give little phenomena is often downplayed its importance. Not entirely justified, especially if we consider that the unrestrained use of antibiotics in these infections often seems to be counterproductive. Reason enough to discuss any of these infections here: the Staphylococcus.
The Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that can be observed in crippled pigeons by a thick sub-base, or can’t fly as a result of an inflammation in a joint. The lovers will then usually equivalent of an infection with Salmonella bacteria but that is not always correct. This inflammation of the joints can be very persistent and need to be treated with a targeted antibiotic. Preferable after performing a sensitivity test. This bacterium is sometimes difficult to kill off under practical conditions.
The habit of many enthusiasts is that they only want to give antibiotics for only a few days doesn’t usually work in these cases. To solve these kind of problems an antibacterial therapy should be used. But then sufficiently long. The Staphylococcus is a bacterium that loves to rise to the formation of pus. This also contributes to the persistence of the infection.
We do a lot of bacteriological examination in the clinic and the bacterium we see is often found in the sinuses of the nose and elsewhere, the Staphylococcus intermedius. The pigeons do not have to show any clinical symptoms. Some birds, however, suffer from some mug us in nose and sinuses.
Pigeons with these bacteria in the airways may look beautiful during the winter. They cause no symptoms.
I have written before that pigeons can be seen as a collecting of all kinds of respiratory and other infections. Many of these infections can be carried without showing any symptoms. Like this one. Problems arise only when conditions are favorable for this normally hardly pathogenic germs.
The staphylococcus intermedius is such a germ. Although this bacterium is not so sickening in many cases for the pigeon in a direct sense, this bacterium certainly plays a role in the pigeons in the racing season. Once the infection of this bacterium has reached a certain level, the condition of the pigeons will suffer and the pigeons will not reach the form they suppose to reach.
This bacterium comes forward when the conditions are favorable. We have to think of other infections that can affect the respiratory system of the pigeons. But not only other infections may play a role. Also in the loft dust, humidity, drafts, hygiene, overcrowding, temperature and so on. In short, the loft climate plays an important role. And, finally, the resistance level of the pigeon is an important factor in whether this infection starts. There are therefore a number of factors that need to engage each other in order to make the infection to a success for the bacterium, and a problem for the breeder.
I quite often get research results from German colleagues who prescribe antibiotics in any finding of this bacterium for a course of a week or longer. Gentamicin is then often used as medicine. Now, this is one of the so-called Macrolides that are poorly absorbed through the intestinal wall. It is therefore highly questionable what the output is of this treatment. When I am at fairs and get the question whether they should cures, then I reject this usually. I recommend to leave antibiotics alone and keep the powder dry. In addition, I especially recommend to support the overall resistance of the pigeons and to focus on the loft climate. This often yields frowning looks on, because after all, they have been advised to cure it. Often when I talk to them during the next fair, I often hear that they had a very good season, even though it has not given the recommended treatment.
The majority of the breeders gives a course. Courses of antibiotics is indeed ingrained in recent decades. And old habits often get badly. The problem with antibiotics against Staphylococcus is that they should work well in theory, as it made susceptibility may indicate. However, the practice is more stubborn. This is partly because when they cure it is much too short really hurt this bacterium. But also the number of antibiotics that work against this bacteria is limited. The short cures, often do not wear the best resources with the results of courses disappointing in practice. The breeder only sees brief improved flight performance, and the renewed problems will occur. When this happens in the middle of the season, this is extremely frustrating for breeders and this can lead to excessive cures that by means little or not works. There are always a Tom, Dick or Harry who say that they have to try this or that, because they themselves know at least someone who had benefits from it. It is swimming against The horse is already behind the car. The swimming against the tide began the tide. Often it goes from bad to worse. A lot of breeders say goodbye to their pigeons out of desperation and then after some time with new pigeons to encounter the same problem again. Not surprising since it concerns mostly the same loft where the new pigeons are housed in.
What we see with a Staphylococcen problem in the clinic? That pigeons when young can perform very well, as a yearling already starting to fall against it and as old birds often fail.
Blind cures in these cases guarantee failure on the long-run. This problem must first be examined whether other infections play a role. Once the bacterium has been isolated, one has to decided to do a sensitivity test, which need to determine what resources are still working. In practice, I usually do not give this product to breeders with this problem. That may sound crazy, but it's not just throwing money away, it is also the last buoy to killing. My advice in these cases is usually to say, if you right in the season comes to me that the current season is to be depreciated. Indeed, it can only be easy if afterwards still prices are made. It is more important to deal with the climate conditions in the loft. A proper disinfection with Cold ice or Virkon S is in place. The finger is to be retained on the wrist to other infections. Above all, however, the overall resistance of the pigeon, and recovered to be supported. In this way over time to address these problems and to solve. Because it is especially chronic undermining of these general resistance that the problems did not need to occur, has brought to the surface.
The best time to thoroughly address this issue is therefore the autumn. After all, there are no flights. The infection may therefore decrease. Also other diseases. Well before the season to a control culture should be performed to evaluate the effects of the constructive approach. In practice, we often see that the multidrug resistance Staphylococci have cleared the field without antibiotics. The infection is usually reduced. In isolated cases, still yet to be cured with antibiotics. Sufficiently long and with the most appropriate means, according to the antibiogram. The effects of such treatments are much more effective than without the supporting approach. The support has the pigeons are brought into such a condition that she can overcome this infection.
Moral of the story: Staphylococci are no pathogens that you can tackle with antibiotics. Certainly not with short cures. This bacterium is far too clever for that. The antibiotic alone puts it against these germs. A targeted supportive approach is ultimately much more effective.
Good Luck!
Peter Boskamp
