Hidden (?) defects
In the last newsletter I told that the use of supplements usually adds little to the performance of the pigeons if they do not have basic health. It is not advisable to try to mask hidden defects.
When the season has started a couple of weeks go consultations ,outside individual cases of disease, can be divided roughly into three groups.
First there are the routine checks on the birds of the pigeon fanciers who regularly let their pigeons be checked on unwanted parasites. In addition to this check we discuss the chosen guidance, should it be adjusted to (changing) conditions ? The long distance players, will be checked on basket infections so when they need to be in top condition they will be there.
Another group of pigeons that are presented are the pigeons with respiratory infections. These are often the group of fansciers who have as a rule that they themselves do not swallow aspirin if they have a headache so pigeons get their medication only when "the time comes." After 3-4 flight is a part of followers of this philosophy ready to give medication. Typically, these fanciers are easily back on track but it may be necessary to skip the pigeons one week . Depending on course this is sometimes undesirable. Discussions on short course little more than often erupts again. But yes if pigeons really have a respiratory problem short courses are to be avoided. That only works resistance to antibiotics in hand.
I understand the dilemma of those who love it but I can only say that the pigeon sport has become and that the time of the 'Russian roulette' should be behind us. Usually we will see these fanciers back the next season back before the races begin to prevent them happening again. But "die hards" remain forever. Yet I maintain that prevention is better than cure. We better check the pigeons for the season for latent (hidden) infections than gamble that all will turn out during the season.
A third group is the group of seconde opinions. Here I always hope that the fanciers are not on the consultation hour but will appear on appointment because this group of difficult cases require time and explanation.
These fanciers sometimes have already visited a whole series of veterinarians at home and abroad for years and keep running into the same problem.
Within this group, you can again create a problem in various categories. In this newsletter I want to confine myself to the group where the possible underlying cause are viralinfections.
These pigeon fanciers may have a problem that has quite a history. The hope is that I'll have a wonder drug which can solve the problem, (still) not realizing that those stations are already passed.
When I keep asking a lot of questions it often shows a whole range of antibioticst that have found its way in to the body of their pigeons such as Baytril, Soludox, Suanovil, Amoxicillin, etc. Some birds have been vaccinated as it is then called which then refers to the injection of an antibiotic, usually for the respiratory tract. Without results.
If I then ask what research has already taken place, I hear that the manure was deliverd for research or that the veterinarian had found no yellow.
Normally there is a product used that was not tried. The results of these treatments are generally dissappointing.. Either there have not shown positive results have been seen fairly quickly relapsed after a course after which a new attempt was made by trying another.In the end they are convinced that this will not bring any solutions.
These patients are often the real problem patients. The solution is not up for grabs and even with proper research the problem is often only to resolve with patience and time. Because time is in the middle of the season is not real. There must be a medication that does work! I hear them think.
How did it get this far?
Often there is a ventilation problem in the loft. But this set of problems I would like to ignore. The fact remains that even a moderate ventilation for these patients the problem may get worse or may delay healing.
(Will be continued)
