Pigeon PMV (2 Viewers)

[ChrisKten]

I don't expect many (if any) replies to this - firstly, because its concerning a Pigeon - secondly, because PMV is a bit of a specialist subject.

I help any creatures that I'm able to, and I've a lot (60+) of Feral Pigeons visiting each day. The two most frequent illnesses that I see are Canker (Trichomoniasis) and PMV (Paramyxovirus ). I try to isolate those that I see with obvious symptoms by taking them indoors and giving supportive care until they recover or die (or I'm forced to euthanase the ones that are suffering unduly. Canker is a nasty disease, and the Pharyngeal Form can end up with them struggling to breathe as well as being unable to swallow anything... which makes treatment impossible for me (though not for a Vet)). Bear in mind that Birds, like most animals, hide illness/weakness, so by the time you notice they are ill it's often too late to do anything except to save it from Cats.

A few months ago I noticed a Pigeon displaying some of the signs of PMV (Stargazing, spinning round and round, falling over, etc) - she was OK in herself (a common description of PMV; "otherwise well"), so I didn't think it was anything else like poisoning or Botulism. So I brought her inside - put her in a large cage (it's meant for small Dogs) - gave her shallow dishes of water (PMV can cause fits, and they can drown in anything but shallow water) and a deep dish with seed... the "deep dish" is the only way they can get food if they have PMV, as one of the Neurological symptoms causes them to miss the food or throw it around.

PMV usually runs it's course in about six weeks, and they should have stopped shedding the virus by then - most birds, given supportive care, recover... although they can be left with some of the Neurological symptoms, and they can still display symptoms when stressed. The bird that I brought indoors is still in a cage, and hasn't really improved. Her poop is still abnormal, and she's still stargazing and spinning round - she exercises her wings each day, and would fly OK, but she still can't reliably feed herself, and it would take her too long to get into the air if spooked... so a Cat would get her if I released her anyway.

It's now the start of week 11, so I'm wondering if anyone here has experience of PMV - if so, how reliable is the quoted 6-12 weeks recovery time? I'd have expected to have released her before now. If she only had the Neurological symptoms left, I'd assume that she was now permanently disabled, but she still has digestive symptoms, so I'd say that she still has a chance of recovery.

Oh, for those wondering; a Vet would either give her an Antibiotic injection or kill her (as she's "just a Feral Pigeon" and they don't have the space/facilities/resources)... antibiotics won't cure a Virus, so either way it's not worth the stress involved for the Pigeon.

So, have I got a disabled pet Pigeon for the next 15+ years? Or is there still time for her to recover?

Thanks

 

[vylets]

I don't expect many (if any) replies to this - firstly, because its concerning a Pigeon - secondly, because PMV is a bit of a specialist subject.

I help any creatures that I'm able to, and I've a lot (60+) of Feral Pigeons visiting each day. The two most frequent illnesses that I see are Canker (Trichomoniasis) and PMV (Paramyxovirus ). I try to isolate those that I see with obvious symptoms by taking them indoors and giving supportive care until they recover or die (or I'm forced to euthanase the ones that are suffering unduly. Canker is a nasty disease, and the Pharyngeal Form can end up with them struggling to breathe as well as being unable to swallow anything... which makes treatment impossible for me (though not for a Vet)). Bear in mind that Birds, like most animals, hide illness/weakness, so by the time you notice they are ill it's often too late to do anything except to save it from Cats.

A few months ago I noticed a Pigeon displaying some of the signs of PMV (Stargazing, spinning round and round, falling over, etc) - she was OK in herself (a common description of PMV; "otherwise well"), so I didn't think it was anything else like poisoning or Botulism. So I brought her inside - put her in a large cage (it's meant for small Dogs) - gave her shallow dishes of water (PMV can cause fits, and they can drown in anything but shallow water) and a deep dish with seed... the "deep dish" is the only way they can get food if they have PMV, as one of the Neurological symptoms causes them to miss the food or throw it around.

PMV usually runs it's course in about six weeks, and they should have stopped shedding the virus by then - most birds, given supportive care, recover... although they can be left with some of the Neurological symptoms, and they can still display symptoms when stressed. The bird that I brought indoors is still in a cage, and hasn't really improved. Her poop is still abnormal, and she's still stargazing and spinning round - she exercises her wings each day, and would fly OK, but she still can't reliably feed herself, and it would take her too long to get into the air if spooked... so a Cat would get her if I released her anyway.

It's now the start of week 11, so I'm wondering if anyone here has experience of PMV - if so, how reliable is the quoted 6-12 weeks recovery time? I'd have expected to have released her before now. If she only had the Neurological symptoms left, I'd assume that she was now permanently disabled, but she still has digestive symptoms, so I'd say that she still has a chance of recovery.

Oh, for those wondering; a Vet would either give her an Antibiotic injection or kill her (as she's "just a Feral Pigeon" and they don't have the space/facilities/resources)... antibiotics won't cure a Virus, so either way it's not worth the stress involved for the Pigeon.

So, have I got a disabled pet Pigeon for the next 15+ years? Or is there still time for her to recover?

Thanks

I have a diamond dove with this disease and am going on week two. He had a good day yesterday with normal behavior and only a couple "fits". this morning has been a set back. I have him in a small recovery cage with paper towels I clean 4-5 times a day as well as fresh finch seed mix with probiotics and a home made version of electrolytes made with warm water, salt, baking soda and honey that he seems to like. He had loose stools last week and this week they have been normal and of normal color the past couple of days. He does eat and drink well between "fits" and yesterday was pacing back and fourth in the cage like he was bored and wanted his normal life. I hear 6-12 weeks is the recovery time so I'm just going with the flow. I rearranged his large flight cage to accommodate him with a few low cement perches and lowered rope perch. I have a several washable mats for the bottom of the cage. I pray everyday for London(his name) to make a full recovery...He is only three months old. Bless you for caring for feral pigeons. Vets are very expensive and quite often don't know what to do for birds but will charge you anyways. The internet has been a God send for information for may "babies". I enjoyed reading your article.