Trichomoniasis is caused by the protozoan Trichomonas columbae. It is a single-celled organism that lives in the digestive tract of pigeons, especially in the throat and crop. The microbe is sensitive to the external environment, surviving only a few minutes outside the pigeon's body. This helps control the disease and means that the bird cannot get infected from the loft or the environment as happens with other diseases (worms or salmonellosis). The trichomonad organism requires contact between birds to spread from one bird to another, usually transmitted through saliva or crop milk. Saliva contaminates food and water. When the pigeon drinks, the microorganism is released through the beak, and when another pigeon comes to drink water, it also ingests the trichomonad organism. When a pigeon rummages through food, each grain it touches is infected with this microorganism, which then automatically transmits to the next pigeon. The disease is also transmitted by touching beaks with an infected pigeon or when parents feed their young.
The stress of competitions will put any immune system to the test. Depending on the degree of stress, the level of trichomonads increases and decreases. When the level is high, the pigeon can also develop secondary infections, especially respiratory infections, which will lead to compromised performance in competitions. Also, a toxin is produced that will make the bird feel unwell. Birds with high levels of trichomonads are said to have "wet trichomoniasis." Signs of illness are subtle and varied.
In most pigeons, both mature and young, who are not regularly treated against trichomoniasis, latent pathogens (trichomonads) may be present. This can present major problems from the nest, with young birds having yellow pieces stuck in the back of their throat.
In adult pigeons, in combination with the ornithosis complex, it can lead to serious complications. Even if pigeons have "natural" immunity against trichomoniasis, large and sudden outbreaks of this disease can occur in autumn, in some cases, even leading to death.
-Loss of condition
-Impaired digestion
-Atypical droppings
-Mucous membrane inflammation
-Complications with ornithosis
-Yellow spots in the throat
Medication:
- Ambronil