Respiratory Disease Checklist

Respiratory Disease Checklist

The Common Signs of Respiratory Disease in Racing Pigeons are:

  • Panting after flying.
  • Sneezing
  • Loft flying decreases
  • Race losses
  • Eye and nostril discharge
  • Swollen cere and sinus
  • Stretching of neck and swallowing
  • Yawning

The top race performance requires perfect health and fitness.
Performance relates directly to the efficiency of the respiratory and circulation systems to provide the dramatic increase in energy requirements for flight. For example, during normal loft flying the pigeon increases its oxygen consumption fifteen fold and when flying into a head wind the oxygen consumption increases by up to 30 times. These massive energy burdens can only be supported by good health and fitness.

A Check List For Respiratory Disease

Examine the nostril
Any discharge appearing at the nostril (be it watery, tacky or snotty) when applying sideways pressure to the wattle reflects a health problem of the nasal cavity.

Check inside the mouth
The nasal cavity connects with the mouth in an area we refer to as the choanal slit. Many fanciers look at this area during the racing season. A narrowing of the “slit” when there is infection of the nasal cavity accurately reflects the inflammation present throughout the upper airways. Obviously, inflammation in this area will affect the heat and water conservation functions of the nasal cavity and lower competitive performance. The converse is also true and I agree with the fanciers, who believe that a fully open “slit” is a sign of a bird in top form.

Panting after exercise
When a respiratory infection inflames the nasal cavity and upper airways the pigeon is less able to control the considerable heat production generated during flight. With certain respiratory infections the first sign noticed is panting after or during exercise. Panting is a mechanism which sheds excess heat rapidly. A fluttering motion in the neck (a form of panting) may also be seen in the overheated pigeon (this is called gular fluttering). Unfortunately both water and heat are lost with panting.

I often see panting when training birds land after a short toss. These birds are healthy but not yet in top condition or are in the moult and have short flights. Because panting is a mechanism to alleviate overheating, we see it in exercising birds on hot days. When panting is noticed within the loft on very hot days efforts to cool the loft must be taken. Special attention to temperature control within the transporters is essential for the health of the race birds.

We also see panting in unfit birds exercising early in the morning, late evenings or tightly around the loft. It is important for the fancier to differentiate between panting in the healthy pigeon and that caused by respiratory infections.

Respiratory disease involving both the lungs and airsac systems seriously impairs flying performance not only because of the failure of the oxygen delivery system but because the energy systems (liver, muscle etc) are also affected. Disease of the airsac system alone reduces performance because both the delivery of oxygen and the removal of waste products are impaired. The resultant cramping muscles make it impossible for the pigeon to fly.

Also see Panting in Racing Pigeons

Respiratory Disease Checklist by Dr. Rob Marshall

The Leading Online Pigeon Racing and Racing Pigeons Magazine – The Pigeon Insider

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59 thoughts on “Respiratory Disease Checklist

  1. what about protruding ear feathers? is that also a sign of respiratory problems? whats the best solution?

  2. what about protruding ear feathers? is that also a sign of respiratory problems? if so whats te best solution?

  3. Maybe the folks from Florida can give us their input on panting after flying. I talked with a top pigeon flyer in GHC and its not always respiratory its the humidity like here in NYC. If You fly them or want to train in summer check the humidity level not to be over 75%. Best time for pigeons in summer is early at sun rise and good ventillation. I try to stay inside the loft with the youngsters obout one hour or so avery day watching and observing. After that time My breathing is normal the air flow is good. If one can’t breathe in the loft all the antibiotics used will be useless as the respiratory and other problems will return.

      1. We are flying pigeons in the winter in South Africa and we also have resporatary promblems.We have a product Baytril and i give it to my pigeons and is very efectif.We have a lot of losses spesially on youg birds in S A. We dont now what too do.

        CHRIS

  4. I have received a terrible blow just before winter in Calcutta, India. In the end of October 2010, just before the Racing season in this part of the world starts. The Pigeons suffered a acute respiratory problem during night. Normally OK pigeons are dying during nights due to acute respiratory disorder…While examining the dead birds I found they were gasping for air before death.

    I don’t have any clue to this infection….If anyone can suggest a remedy I shall be grateful….Moreover this will save lot of pigeons life.

    1. For the benefit of anyone reading, it sounds more like a gaseous poison, aka pollution. Illegal polluting often takes place at night. I don’t believe there is such a thing as an acute infection.

  5. respiratory concerns:- apple Cider Vinagar – garlic – raw onion in water let stand 2 ta 3 days.
    all the best when your racing season starts.
    Terry

    1. Hi Terry,
      Thanks for the info. Can you explain in detail how to administer this treatment? e.g. how many teaspoon to x amount of water.

  6. I do not see over panting in my birds during or shortly after training flights but I do lose a bird in the loft that seemed to be healthy and was in good shape the night before and the next morning are lying dead in the loft. Can anyone give me some insight on this problem I feel that it is a respatory ailment that I am missing sonehow.
    God Bless, Lee

  7. Personally I dont believe in birds just having respiratory disease.I think respiratory disease is secondary,bought on by a primary infection such as canker.The primary infection weakens the birds immune system and causes the on set of such secondary infections.If your getting respiratory infections in your loft regularly you won’t cure it with anti-biotics.This points to a management issue that needs to be corrected if you want to get rid of respiratory infections in the longer term.

  8. resporitry is the biggest prblem of loss of birds in race conditions and highlighting this can only be good for the sport thanks paul

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