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Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease that is widely distributed among pigeons throughout the world. Coccidia inhabit the small intestine of nearly all pigeons.

Pathogen:
Along with trichomonads, coccidia are the most commonly found protozoa in pigeons, occurring in the form of two eimeria species: E.labbeana and E.columbarum. Both species only infest pigeons. Coccidia form permanent stages (oocysts), which only become infective after maturing in the environment.

Course of disease:
Following ingestion of the oocysts, their subsequent developmental stages damage the intestinal wall. Within 4-7 days of infection, the pigeon starts to excrete oocysts again.
There are two forms of coccidiosis:

The asymptomatic (or subclinical) form occurs most frequently. After ingesting small quantities of oocysts for the first time, pigeons develop an immunity to infection due to stimulation of endogenous defence mechanisms, without visibly succumbing to the disease. With this protection, which is reinforced by constant ingestion of low levels of oocysts, the birds live in a kind of equilibrium with the parasites, which also protects them against severe intestinal disease.

The visible form of the disease with an acute course and severe generalised disturbance - true coccidiosis - occurs when still unprotected young pigeons become infected by ingesting large amounts of oocysts or when the immunity of older pigeons is reduced or broken down by stress factors.

Symptoms of the disease:
Asymptomatic form:

Infested birds appear healthy, albeit rather less lively. The droppings are sometimes rather soft.

Acute course:

Visibly affected pigeons produce malodorous, muco-aqueous, greenish and sometimes bloody diarrhoea. They are listless, have puffed-up plumage and drink profusely, with reduced feed intake.

Recognition of the disease:
Coccidial oocysts can be demonstrated by microscopic examination of faecal samples (prepared according to the flotation method).
Asymptomatic form:

Only a small quantity of oocysts is identified in the faeces (finding = +).

Acute form:

The contents of the gut reveal moderate (finding = ++) or severe (finding = +++) oocyst infestation.

Similar conditions:
Salmonellosis, E.coli infection, worm infestation.

Treatment:
Asymptomatic form:

Pigeons suspected of infection that show mild infestation are not treated, in order not to disturb the host-pathogen equilibrium.

Acute form:

Diseased pigeons are treated with chevi-kok^®. Treatment is supported by administration of multivitamin EB12 and the best possible diet.

Note:
chevi-kok^® can be administered during the moult. Development of feathers will not be disturbed.

Duration of treatment		Week 1							Week 2							Week 3							Week 4
Day		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28
Breeder’s check list
chevi-kok®	drinking water or feed
livimun®	drinking water or feed
multivitamin EB12	drinking water
liviferm	drinking water
parafectans	disinfection

necessary treatment
optional back-up treatment

Coccidiosis - Table of requirements for the flock

Product and duration of treatment	Dosage	Total requirements for 100 pigeons (entire treatment period)
chevi-kok® 7 days	1 sachet per 2 litres or 1 caps. per pigeon and day	sachets packages capsules packages	17 ½ 2 700 7
livimun® 4 days	20 ml per 2 litres or the daily feed ration of 40 pigeons	ml bottles	200 1
multivitamin EB12 1 day	½ sachet per litre or 2 caps. per pigeon and day	sachets packages capsules packages	2½ 1 200 2
liviferm 5 days	½ sachet per litre or 1 caps. per pigeon and day	sachets packages capsules packages	12 ½ 2 500 5

Administration of chevi-kok^® via the feed:

Moisten the daily feed ration for 40 pigeons with approximately 20 ml (= 2 spoons) of water, then sprinkle 1 sachet of chevi-kok^® on to the feed and mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

chevita - Requirement calculation: Treatment with chevi-kok^®

How many pigeons are to be treated?