We are a research and production company specializing in animal health products such as veterinary drugs, mixed feed additives, and pre mixed feed additives
language
Bacterial Diseases and Mycoplasma Infection in Pigeons–The Hidden Threat to Flock Health
Release time:
2026-09-01
Pigeon Respiratory Health and Infection Threats
Respiratory health in pigeons is one of the core factors determining their vitality, reproductive performance, and economic value. During flight, foraging, and breeding, a well-functioning respiratory system ensures adequate oxygen supply and energy conversion. However, bacterial diseases and mycoplasma infections are among the most common health threats to pigeon flocks—mild cases affect growth and reproduction, while severe cases can lead to death and whole-flock outbreaks, causing immense economic losses and emotional distress to breeders.
Major Pathogens and Disease Types
The pathogens causing bacterial diseases and mycoplasma infections in pigeons are complex and diverse. Common types include the following:
1. Salmonellosis (Paratyphoid)
Caused by Salmonella typhimurium, primarily affecting young and adult pigeons. Characterized by white pasty diarrhea, this disease mostly affects young pigeons with a high mortality rate once outbreaks occur. The vast majority of young pigeons with salmonellosis exhibit respiratory symptoms, including ruffled feathers, spread wings, rapid breathing, and audible breath sounds. Pigeon salmonellosis is a common and frequent disease in the pigeon industry, primarily affecting young pigeons and causing serious economic losses.
2. Colibacillosis (Escherichia coli Infection)
E. coli infection can cause septicemia, granulomas, and airsacculitis in pigeon flocks. Respiratory symptoms become apparent when pigeons develop airsacculitis—the bacteria invade the air sacs through the bloodstream or respiratory tract, causing acute inflammation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Colibacillosis is particularly prevalent in humid environments.
3. Fowl Cholera (Pasteurellosis)
Caused by Pasteurella multocida, this disease presents obvious respiratory symptoms once the respiratory tract is affected, characterized by nasal discharge, swollen sinuses, and secretions accumulating in the throat, leading to breathing difficulties.
4. Mycoplasmosis (Chronic Respiratory Disease)
Mycoplasmosis, also known as chronic respiratory disease in pigeons, is a chronic respiratory infectious disease. Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection causes chronic respiratory disease primarily characterized by coughing, nasal discharge, respiratory rales, and open-mouth breathing. The disease develops slowly with a prolonged course; adult pigeons often remain subclinically infected and can harbor the pathogen in the flock for long periods, with outbreaks triggered by stress. This disease is taken seriously worldwide and is one of the major infectious diseases endangering the pigeon industry.
Prevalence and Epidemiological Characteristics
Bacterial diseases and mycoplasma infections are extremely common in pigeon flocks:
Pigeon respiratory infectious diseases are typically mixed infections induced by multiple pathogens and are common diseases in lofts.
Among the pathogens, Trichomonas, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydia infections are the most common. They usually lurk in healthy pigeons and maintain a balanced microbial community. However, they can erupt when faced with stress factors such as urgency, fatigue, and climate deterioration.
Mycoplasmosis occurs year-round but is more severe during cold and rainy seasons.
Mycoplasma has weak antigenicity, and pigeons produce almost no antibodies, making reinfection possible.
Pigeons rarely have single mycoplasma infections—co-infections are common.
Clinical Signs
Clinical signs of bacterial diseases and mycoplasma infections in pigeons vary by pathogen and infection severity:
Respiratory signs: Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, open-mouth breathing, and "clucking" wheezing sounds
Nasal signs: Watery nasal discharge initially, progressing to serous or mucous discharge, and eventually dried secretions blocking the nostrils
Ocular signs: Unilateral or bilateral tearing, swollen eyelids, and caseous exudate at the corners of the eyes
Systemic signs: Depression, decreased appetite, ruffled feathers, growth stagnation, and progressive emaciation
Digestive signs: Diarrhea, greenish-yellow loose stools
Behavioral changes: Reluctance to move, standing with head lowered and neck tucked
The incubation period for mycoplasma infection is approximately 1–2 weeks, and the disease usually follows a chronic course. Early stages resemble a cold, with listlessness and respiratory rales—more pronounced at night.
Economic Impact
The economic burden of bacterial diseases and mycoplasma infections on the pigeon industry is substantial:
Pigeon salmonellosis is a common and frequent disease in the pigeon industry, causing serious economic losses.
Young Pigeon Disease Syndrome is widely prevalent globally, causing huge economic losses to the pigeon industry.
In pigeon paramyxovirus type I (pigeon Newcastle disease) outbreaks, young pigeon mortality (including culling) can exceed 50% , with direct economic losses approaching one million yuan.
Mixed infections with bacteria, mycoplasma, and chlamydia cause significantly increased mortality with pronounced clinical and pathological symptoms, resulting in serious economic losses to pigeon farms and the industry.
Paratyphoid (salmonellosis) can be transmitted both horizontally and vertically (via eggs); breeding pigeons have long service lives, and outbreaks cause considerable losses, making this one of the major diseases requiring urgent eradication in pigeon farms.
Enrofloxacin: A Scientifically Proven Effective Treatment
Enrofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent specifically for veterinary use, with good efficacy against Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Pasteurella, Proteus, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydia. Long-term use of enrofloxacin in treating diseased pigeons, confirmed by medical and pathological experts, has demonstrated that enrofloxacin is an effective drug for treating mycoplasma infections in pigeons.
For respiratory diseases in pigeons, enrofloxacin is one of the antibiotics of choice.
Latest updates
FOLLOW US
ENQUIRY NOW
* Note: Please be sure to fill in the information accurately, we will contact you as soon as possible