Pigeon Newcastle Disease: Symptom Identification and Prevention and Treatment Methods

[Cause] Also known as pigeon paramyxovirus type I disease, it is a viral infectious disease (paramyxovirus type I virus), transmitted through contaminated feed, drinking water, pigeon equipment, and the clothing, shoes, and hats of people who have contact with diseased pigeons.

[Symptoms] The initial signs are ruffled feathers, listlessness, and reduced appetite. There are paroxysmal spasms, drooping of one or both wings, paralysis of the feet and claws, twisting of the head and neck, head tilting backward, and discharge of yellow-green watery droppings, with feces adhering around the vent. Difficulty breathing, conjunctivitis or ocular inflammation, and nasal discharge may also be seen.

Necropsy will reveal brain congestion, a small number of hemorrhagic spots, and parenchymal edema. There is striated hemorrhage at the junction of the esophagus and proventriculus. The small intestine mucosa is congested and hemorrhagic, with ulcerative lesions, and the cloaca is congested. The liver and spleen are enlarged, the liver has hemorrhagic spots, and the kidneys are pale and enlarged. When diagnosing this disease, pay attention to distinguishing it from pigeon paratyphoid and pigeon cholera, as well as whether there is concurrent infection.

[Prevention and Treatment] At present there is no specific therapeutic drug; prevention can only be achieved by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection of inactivated paramyxovirus type I vaccine, with a dose of 0.5 ml per bird, followed by a second booster immunization. Therefore, to prevent this disease, attention must be paid to the invasion of external pathogens, and breeding pigeons must be introduced from non-epidemic areas.