Nasal discharge, Bulgy eye or sneezing

AVIAN INFLUENZA

Avian Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous systems of many avian species. Avian Influenza is commonly spread by migrating birds and waterfowl. Waterfowl are resistant to disease and rarely show clinical signs when infected. Avian Influenza is shed by infected birds in their faeces and respiratory discharge and can also be spread via fomites, such as contaminated equipment, vehicles or people.

Symptoms

There are many strains of Avian Influenza which are divided into two types: highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and low pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI).

• HPAI causes severe disease with sudden mortality of up to 100%.
• LPAI can cause a range of symptoms, from mild respiratory disease, depression and a decrease in egg production. Birds infected with LPAI may not show any symptoms.
• Other symptoms may include swelling of the head, cyanosis (blue discolouration) of the comb and wattle, nervous signs, such as paralysis, and/or green diarrhoea.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis cannot be made on history, clinical signs or post-mortem alone. Blood sampling or virus isolation is required for a definitive diagnosis.

Treatment

There is no treatment for Avian Influenza.
As Avian Influenza is a notifiable disease, if you or your vet suspects Avian Influenza, this must be reported to the APHA, who will investigate the outbreak and conduct statutory testing and implement restrictions and control measures as necessary.
If a notifiable disease is confirmed, action will be taken on infected premises to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, including movement restrictions. Other actions, such as culling affected and susceptible birds, restrictions on premises the disease may have spread to and from (for example when animals have been moved), disinfection protocols and restrictions on activities such as shooting may also be implemented.

Prevention

Outbreaks usually occur following introduction by infected migrating or imported birds.

Biosecurity measures are the most effective protection against Avian Influenza. This includes cleaning and disinfection of equipment, vehicles and houses. Site-specific protective clothing and footwear and disinfectant foot dips are also useful biosecurity measures to prevent infection. Foot dips must be covered and regularly changed.
Preventing contact with wild birds is crucial to preventing Avian Influenza. Keepers of waterfowl should try to discourage contact with wild birds and wild waterfowl. The virus survives well in ponds and lakes.

AVIAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS (AMPV)

Also referred to as Avian Rhinotracheitis (ART), Turkey Rhinotracheitis (TRT) or swollen head syndrome.
Transmitted between birds in a flock by airway secretions and can be carried on clothing and equipment to infect birds in other pens. Wild birds carry the virus and can easily transmit the virus to gamebirds.

Symptoms

• Depression
• Reduced appetite leading to poor weight gain
• Nasal discharge and watery eyes
• Coughing
• Shaking head/ snicking

Diagnostics

Samples can be taken at post-mortem for virus detection (10 birds from each flock recommended). Samples can also be taken for bacteriology and sensitivity to identify and target antibiotic treatment for any concurrent bacterial infections.
Serology (Blood sample taken to identify possible exposure to the virus).

Treatment

No treatment available. Antibiotic treatment may be advised for secondary bacterial infections.
Multivitamins/electrolytes may be used to help support birds through the disease challenge.

Prevention

Ensure good biosecurity: foot dips between houses, changes of overalls and not allowing visitors onsite who have been in contact with poultry or gamebirds for at least the last 24 hours.
Reduce stocking densities.
Optimise the environment; ventilation, temperature and litter quality.
All in/all out production and effective cleaning and disinfection at turn around – aMPV inactivated at temperatures above 50◦c. Quaternary ammonia, ethanol, iodophors, phenol derivatives and bleach will reduce viability of aMPV.
Vaccinations may be considered, however there is limited evidence of their efficacy in gamebirds.

ORT

It is a bacteria resident in the upper airways and sinus of birds.
ORT is mostly an opportunistic pathogen and tends to make diseases such as mycoplasma, gapeworms and AmPV more severe. E. coli may also complicate the matter further.
ORT has been shown to survive longer in the environment at lower temperatures. More infections in the winter. The bacteria may be able to travel aerially up to 8km.

Symptoms:

• Nasal discharge
• Swollen eye/ swollen infra orbital sinuses one or both sides
• Conjunctivitis
• Gasping/snicking/sneezing
• In red legged partridges may see some nervous signs such as twisting necks, lack of coordination or other abnormal head positions

Diagnostic Tests

Veterinary post-mortem will be required.
ORT is difficult to isolate. PCR or bacteriology can be done in lab.

Treatment

Antibiotic therapy after culture and sensitivity as well as to control secondary bacterial infections such as E.coli.
Supportive care; electrolytes & multivitamins.

Prevention & Control

Optimise environment; Ensure housing is well ventilated and not dusty.
Avoid exacerbating stress in the flock; by reducing stocking density and ensuring the shed has enough drinkers and feeders to reduce competition between birds for resources.
Good biosecurity; Try to reduce contact with wild birds whilst birds are in rear. They can be a mechanical vector of ORT.
Vaccination is being used on some farms to help control respiratory disease with mixed successes. This requires the creation of an autogenous vaccine as no commercial vaccine is currently available.

MYCOPLASMA

Mycoplasma is an intracellular bacterium which effects the respiratory system of pigeons.

It can cause poor performance in both racing and breeding birds. It is difficult to eradicate entirely and can become resistant to antibiotics easily.

Symptoms

• Sneezing/ face wiping on perches.
• Watery eyes/ conjunctivitis.
• Thickened eyelids.
• Swollen infra orbital sinuses/swelling around the eyes.
• Nasal discharge.

Diagnostics

Throat swab PCR.

Treatment

Treat with Doxycycline or Tiamulin for five days if clinical signs become apparent. Once mycoplasma is in a loft, it is very difficult to eradicate. Retreating each time symptoms reoccur is an option but will reduce bird performance over time with continued antibiotic use. The mycoplasma may become resistant to the antibiotic.

All treatments should be performed only after consultation with a vet.

Electrolytes and vitamins can help to reduce symptoms.

In severe cases euthanasia may be necessary.

Prevention

Remove mycoplasma positive birds from the flock.

Isolate new arrivals for at least two weeks and monitor closely for respiratory illness.

Reduce pressure from diseases such as coccidiosis, worms, trichomonas and PPMV by carrying out testing, vaccination and treatment.

Good biosecurity: not allowing access to the loft for people who have been in contact with pigeons within the last 24 hours & reducing contact with wild birds.

Regular cleaning and disinfection.