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Paramyxovirus 1:the pigeon plagueby FrankMoscaMontclair, California

A pigeon sits on the ground. It triesto fly to its perch bu t succeeds only incrashing into a far wall. Another birdtries to peck a grain from th e feedtray. I t fails becau se , a t the lastsecond, it s head jerks spasmodicallyand is twisted violently away andback around. I t tries again, and failsagain. Desperate, the bird tries to fly.Instead, it rolls into an uncontrollableseries of fit-like spasms.Domestic pigeon breeders aroundthe wor ld have seen this happen intheir lof ts since th e first r epor t i nEurope in 1982. Other symptomsinclude an early and extremelywatery diarrhea. Many breeders havecharacterized it as a "flood" in theloft. Some birds show partial or com

plete paralysis. On pos ti ng , somespecimens show lesions of th e brainand other internal organs. Mortalityrates are above 90 percent with thosesurviving often showing manifestations of th e disease fo r the rest oftheir lives. One breeder I know lostover 300 birds in two weeks.The disease is paramyxovirus 1(PMV-l). PMV-l is related to the viruswhich causes atypical fowl pest(Newcastle disease) in chickens andrelated b irds but PMV-l is not athreat to anything but pigeons anddoves. The virus has been shown toattack Columba and Streptopeliaspecies. I t may be capable of attacking other genera also. I have not heardof it attacking any of the native American doves but this may s imply bebecause infected birds d ie withoutbeing noticed. Flocks of feral pigeonshave been decimated.The virus is spread by dir ec t contact from bird to bird or indirectlythrough dust infected with the virus.It may be spread from dust on a lof tvisitors' shoes or clothing. The incu:bation period is about three weeks.

During this time, there are no symptoms bu t infected birds may spreadthe disease to others at shows, in theloft, or when sold.16 June !July 1990

There is no cure! However, there isa preventative vaccine. Joe Quinn,then chairman of the AmericanPigeon Fanciers Council, was able tointerest th e Maine Biological Laborato ry in p ro du cin g a killed virusvaccine. He was then able to get th evaccine okayed for use in all states.This o il -based vaccine is injectedunder the skin of the neck. Effectiveprotection is provided by two injections spaced a mon th apa rt w ith ayearly booster. The vaccine retails forabout $15 pe r 50-dose vial and $20per 100-dose vial. These doses areracing-homer-sized bird doses whichis 0.5 cc/bird, much more than wouldbe required for smaller doves.My friend, his two sons, 14 and 15,and I have. personally vaccinatedover 2,000 racing pigeons and manyringneck doves (Streptopelia roseo-grisea - Goodwin). We l os t onlythree birds. These were in th e firsthundred we did and we were stillnervous and learning the technique.All the dead birds were posted. Wefound two died due to our carelessness in in se rti ng t he needle. Theother died of anaphylactic shock (asevere allergic reaction).Over th e last five years, hundredsof thousands of show and domestic

pigeons have been vaccinated acrossth e United States and Canada. Thenumber reported as lost due to vaccination is so low as to be practicallyzero. There a re s ti ll some foolishbreeders who believe the whole storyis a scam thought up by a company tomake money. None of these breedershave sat and watched his whole loftdie within a week or so.I pu t a stray bird into my loft forless than a half hour while I readiedits holding cage. I lost ten birds and aseason's breeding. Thankfully, all myolder stock was vaccinated. None ofthe vaccinated birds showed anysymptoms. Remember, it 's yourchoice. For your birds' sake, pleasedon't make the wrong one.

Emergency vaccination after infection can sometimes produce enoughantibodies to protect a few of thelatest infected birds. Early vaccinationcan eliminate the worry totally. Don'ttake a chance with a virus that couldwipe out your years of breeding oryour valuable stock. The first step isto quarantine anything you bring infor a minimum of three weeks. Thesecond is to vaccinate.

I f your own suppliers don't ye thave th e vaccine available, i t may bepurchased along with needles andsyringes from Foy's Pigeon Supplies,Box 27166, Golden Valley, MN 55427or Strecker Supply Co., Box 330-P,Selbyville, DE 19975.

Directions fo r Use fo rAvian ParamyxovirusVaccine - Type 1

Killed VirusIntroductionAvian Paramyxovirus-Type 1 (called PMV -1)was first diagnosed in the United States in early

1984. By 1985, it was widespread throughoutthe Northeast and had been diagnosed in manyother areas. The pathogenicity of the diseasevaries greatly bu t in many cases heavy losseshave been reported. Shows an d races bringtogether large numbers of pigeons from differen t locations which provides an ideal opportunity for the virus to be spread from bird to bird.The infected birds are then returned to theirlofts to infect their penmates. There is no cure.Prevention through vaccination is the only wayto control this disease.

Signs an d SymptomsThe mos t outstanding symptoms of PMV-lare incoordination, twisted necks and paralyzed limbs. Less specific symptoms includedecreased f eed int ake, i nc reas ed wa te rconsumption, loss of weight and waterydroppings. In t he most advanced stages, thebirds may be found laying on their sides withcomplete paralysis.

The VaccineAvian Paramyxovirus Vaccine-Type 1, KilledVirus is a steri le product and contains no liveorganisms which can infect your pigeons orcause disease. Paramyxovirus immunity develops through the slow release of dead virus fromthe oil emulsion vaccine.

Care ofVaccineThis vaccine should be stored in the refrigera to r but not frozen. I t should n ot b e injectedwhen cold. Remove th e vaccine from th erefrigerator and allow it to warm to room tem-

Paramyxovirus 1:the pigeon plagueby FrankMoscaMontclair, California

A pigeon sits on the ground. It triesto fly to its perch bu t succeeds only incrashing into a far wall. Another birdtries to peck a grain from th e feedtray. I t fails becau se , a t the lastsecond, it s head jerks spasmodicallyand is twisted violently away andback around. I t tries again, and failsagain. Desperate, the bird tries to fly.Instead, it rolls into an uncontrollableseries of fit-like spasms.Domestic pigeon breeders aroundthe wor ld have seen this happen intheir lof ts since th e first r epor t i nEurope in 1982. Other symptomsinclude an early and extremelywatery diarrhea. Many breeders havecharacterized it as a "flood" in theloft. Some birds show partial or com

plete paralysis. On pos ti ng , somespecimens show lesions of th e brainand other internal organs. Mortalityrates are above 90 percent with thosesurviving often showing manifestations of th e disease fo r the rest oftheir lives. One breeder I know lostover 300 birds in two weeks.The disease is paramyxovirus 1(PMV-l). PMV-l is related to the viruswhich causes atypical fowl pest(Newcastle disease) in chickens andrelated b irds but PMV-l is not athreat to anything but pigeons anddoves. The virus has been shown toattack Columba and Streptopeliaspecies. I t may be capable of attacking other genera also. I have not heardof it attacking any of the native American doves but this may s imply bebecause infected birds d ie withoutbeing noticed. Flocks of feral pigeonshave been decimated.The virus is spread by dir ec t contact from bird to bird or indirectlythrough dust infected with the virus.It may be spread from dust on a lof tvisitors' shoes or clothing. The incu:bation period is about three weeks.

During this time, there are no symptoms bu t infected birds may spreadthe disease to others at shows, in theloft, or when sold.16 June !July 1990

There is no cure! However, there isa preventative vaccine. Joe Quinn,then chairman of the AmericanPigeon Fanciers Council, was able tointerest th e Maine Biological Laborato ry in p ro du cin g a killed virusvaccine. He was then able to get th evaccine okayed for use in all states.This o il -based vaccine is injectedunder the skin of the neck. Effectiveprotection is provided by two injections spaced a mon th apa rt w ith ayearly booster. The vaccine retails forabout $15 pe r 50-dose vial and $20per 100-dose vial. These doses areracing-homer-sized bird doses whichis 0.5 cc/bird, much more than wouldbe required for smaller doves.My friend, his two sons, 14 and 15,and I have. personally vaccinatedover 2,000 racing pigeons and manyringneck doves (Streptopelia roseo-grisea - Goodwin). We l os t onlythree birds. These were in th e firsthundred we did and we were stillnervous and learning the technique.All the dead birds were posted. Wefound two died due to our carelessness in in se rti ng t he needle. Theother died of anaphylactic shock (asevere allergic reaction).Over th e last five years, hundredsof thousands of show and domestic

pigeons have been vaccinated acrossth e United States and Canada. Thenumber reported as lost due to vaccination is so low as to be practicallyzero. There a re s ti ll some foolishbreeders who believe the whole storyis a scam thought up by a company tomake money. None of these breedershave sat and watched his whole loftdie within a week or so.I pu t a stray bird into my loft forless than a half hour while I readiedits holding cage. I lost ten birds and aseason's breeding. Thankfully, all myolder stock was vaccinated. None ofthe vaccinated birds showed anysymptoms. Remember, it 's yourchoice. For your birds' sake, pleasedon't make the wrong one.

Emergency vaccination after infection can sometimes produce enoughantibodies to protect a few of thelatest infected birds. Early vaccinationcan eliminate the worry totally. Don'ttake a chance with a virus that couldwipe out your years of breeding oryour valuable stock. The first step isto quarantine anything you bring infor a minimum of three weeks. Thesecond is to vaccinate.

I f your own suppliers don't ye thave th e vaccine available, i t may bepurchased along with needles andsyringes from Foy's Pigeon Supplies,Box 27166, Golden Valley, MN 55427or Strecker Supply Co., Box 330-P,Selbyville, DE 19975.

Directions fo r Use fo rAvian ParamyxovirusVaccine - Type 1

Killed VirusIntroductionAvian Paramyxovirus-Type 1 (called PMV -1)was first diagnosed in the United States in early

1984. By 1985, it was widespread throughoutthe Northeast and had been diagnosed in manyother areas. The pathogenicity of the diseasevaries greatly bu t in many cases heavy losseshave been reported. Shows an d races bringtogether large numbers of pigeons from differen t locations which provides an ideal opportunity for the virus to be spread from bird to bird.The infected birds are then returned to theirlofts to infect their penmates. There is no cure.Prevention through vaccination is the only wayto control this disease.

Signs an d SymptomsThe mos t outstanding symptoms of PMV-lare incoordination, twisted necks and paralyzed limbs. Less specific symptoms includedecreased f eed int ake, i nc reas ed wa te rconsumption, loss of weight and waterydroppings. In t he most advanced stages, thebirds may be found laying on their sides withcomplete paralysis.

The VaccineAvian Paramyxovirus Vaccine-Type 1, KilledVirus is a steri le product and contains no liveorganisms which can infect your pigeons orcause disease. Paramyxovirus immunity develops through the slow release of dead virus fromthe oil emulsion vaccine.

Care ofVaccineThis vaccine should be stored in the refrigera to r but not frozen. I t should n ot b e injectedwhen cold. Remove th e vaccine from th erefrigerator and allow it to warm to room tem-

8/3/2019 Paramyxovirus 1

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Pet Blend-13% ProteinPellets or Crumbles

Baby Blend-16% ProteinHand Feeding Powder

*\Mfg. By: Argyle Avian & Manufacturing Inc.-Argyle. TexasDisl. By: Beer Bird Avian DietP.O. Box 159-West Park. New York 12493

withBIOMATE-2BandMICRO-AID

() (3 () (3 () ()(PARROT CLEAN) a a a S H ~ W E R ; a PERCHES a ()

A UNIQUE & NOVEL APPROACH TO GIVING YOUR PET BIRD SHOWERSRATED AS THE BEST NEW PRODUCT OF 1989 BY BIRD TALK MAGAZINEEASILY ATIACHES IN THE CORNERS OF SHOWER STALLS AND BATH AREAS

COMES IN TWO SIZES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF MOST BIRD OWNERSSMALL SIZE SUITABLE FOR KEETS TOCONURES $4.95LARGE SIZE SUITABLE FOR AMAZONSTO COCKATOOS $7.95TO ORDER, SEND YOUR CHECK OR MONEY ORDER

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8/3/2019 Paramyxovirus 1

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G)BIRDKIEPERG)The Australian Magazine fo r all Bird Enthusiasts.

SixBeautifulFull ColourIssuespe r year.1 Year'sSubscription:Overseas: Surface $Au'l 34.50 Air $Au'l 62.50

Regular colour features and articles on all popularcage/aviary birds written by top breeders/aviculturistsfrom all over the world.Also veterinarian reports and tips.Everything for the Birdkeeper.AUSTRALIANBIRDKEEPER

LIVEPETFOOD

perature (70 OF to 80 OF) before use. This willmake th e vaccine e asie r to inject and w il lgreatly reduce th e shock of injection. Shakewell before using.Vaccination Schedule

Young birds should be vaccinated at fourweeks of age or older. A second vaccinationshould be g iven four to e ight weeks after th efirst. Old birds , not previously vaccinated,should be given two vaccinations four to eightweeks apar t. A single booster vaccinationshould be g iven annually. A suggested simpleprogram is:1. Vaccinate all young birds about fourweeks prior to t he s ta rt of th e young birdracing season (orthe show season).2. Vaccinate all b irds in the lof t (both young

and old) about two weeks before the breedingseason.This program will eliminate th e vaccinationof lost or culled homers and culled breeders.

Vaccine DoseInject 0.5 m!. (1/2 m!.) subcutaneously in thelower neck. For small breeds, inject only 0 .25m!. (1/4 m!.). A 1/2 i nch, 20 gauge needl e isrecommended.

WarningExtreme caution should be used when inject

ing any oil emulsion vaccine to avoid injectingyour finger or hand. Accidental injection canbe serious. I f an accident occurs, immediatemedical attention is recommended, preferablyfrom a doctor with experience in hand injuriesor call Maine Biological Laboratories, phone(207) 873-3989

CautionStore vaccine in refrigerator below 45 OF (7C).Do no t freeze. 'Use entire contents of bottlewhen first opened. Keep permanent vaccinerecords including serial number. Do not vaccinate within 42 days of slaughter.This vaccine has been carefully manufactured and has passed all tests for puri ty andpotency according to the requirements of th ecompany and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.U.S. Veterinary License No. 240, MaineBiological Laboratories, Inc., Waterville, Maine04901.

Figure 1

Injection InstructionsHave a partner hold t he b ir d in a manner

which allows you easy access t o t he n eck area.Spray the lower portion of the neck with rubbing alcohol until the feathers are wet (a spraybottle or plant mister works well for thi s purpose). Grasp the skin i n t he midportion of theneck, pinch it between th e t humb and forefinger, and l if t i t upward to form a "pocket"beneath the skin. A full crop may increase thedifficulty of grasping a good fold of skin. Movet he wet feathers ou t of the way so tha t the skinis visible. Carefully insert the needle throughth e skin in t he mid line of th e neck. Do notinject through the skin on the side of the neckbecause there are large numbers of blood vessels found in this area which could be damagedby the needle. A slight resistance should be feltas the needle first penetrates the skin followedby th e needle easily sliding through th e skininto the pocket. If this difference in resistanceis no t felt, t he end of the needle may be insidethe skin. I f the vaccine is injected into the skin,you will see the white vaccine inside the skin.This may develop into a ha rd lump or scabwhich will eventually disappear.Speci al car e must be ta ken vaccinatingpigeons with tight neck skin (such as the Mal

t es e) t o avoid injecting th e vacci ne in to t hemuscles of t he neck as thi s may cause muscledamage.Some fanciers prefer to vaccinate with thesyringe pointed toward the body (Fig. 1) whileothers prefer to point th e syringe toward thehead (Fig. 2). We suggest you try both ways anduse t he method you feel most comfor tablewith. Th e imporant thing is to inject the vaccine into the pocket under th e skin and notinto the skin or the muscle of the neck (Fig. 3).A dose of 1/2 m!. (0.5 m!.) must be injectedaf ter the needle is inserted into the bird. This isequivalent to on e squeeze of th e ]ecta-Maticsyringe or t he d is ta nc e b etween t he largermarkings of th e 2.5 m!. disposable syringes(five of the smallest markings). After injectingthe vaccine, slide the needle ou t of the bird atthe same angle as it was injected.

I f inexperienced, it is suggested that youpractice on your least valuable birds first. Takespecial car e to avo id injec ting yourself. Coverthe needle when not in use. The needle shouldbe wiped with an a lcohol swab after injectingeach bird.

Figure 2MEALWORMSBULK OR PACKEDWAX WORMSFLVLARVAE

TOP QUALITY!LOWEST PRICES!

CALL OR WRITEFOR BROCHUREORDERTOLL FREE1-800-222-3563All OTHER CAllS: 513.874-5881

P.O. BOX 15001-HAMILTON,OH 45015KNOWN FOROUALITYAND SERVICEl

18 June/July1990

Figure 3

G)BIRDKIEPERG)The Australian Magazine fo r all Bird Enthusiasts.

SixBeautifulFull ColourIssuespe r year.1 Year'sSubscription:Overseas: Surface $Au'l 34.50 Air $Au'l 62.50

Regular colour features and articles on all popularcage/aviary birds written by top breeders/aviculturistsfrom all over the world.Also veterinarian reports and tips.Everything for the Birdkeeper.AUSTRALIANBIRDKEEPER

LIVEPETFOOD

perature (70 OF to 80 OF) before use. This willmake th e vaccine e asie r to inject and w il lgreatly reduce th e shock of injection. Shakewell before using.Vaccination Schedule

Young birds should be vaccinated at fourweeks of age or older. A second vaccinationshould be g iven four to e ight weeks after th efirst. Old birds , not previously vaccinated,should be given two vaccinations four to eightweeks apar t. A single booster vaccinationshould be g iven annually. A suggested simpleprogram is:1. Vaccinate all young birds about fourweeks prior to t he s ta rt of th e young birdracing season (orthe show season).2. Vaccinate all b irds in the lof t (both young

and old) about two weeks before the breedingseason.This program will eliminate th e vaccinationof lost or culled homers and culled breeders.

Vaccine DoseInject 0.5 m!. (1/2 m!.) subcutaneously in thelower neck. For small breeds, inject only 0 .25m!. (1/4 m!.). A 1/2 i nch, 20 gauge needl e isrecommended.

WarningExtreme caution should be used when inject

ing any oil emulsion vaccine to avoid injectingyour finger or hand. Accidental injection canbe serious. I f an accident occurs, immediatemedical attention is recommended, preferablyfrom a doctor with experience in hand injuriesor call Maine Biological Laboratories, phone(207) 873-3989

CautionStore vaccine in refrigerator below 45 OF (7C).Do no t freeze. 'Use entire contents of bottlewhen first opened. Keep permanent vaccinerecords including serial number. Do not vaccinate within 42 days of slaughter.This vaccine has been carefully manufactured and has passed all tests for puri ty andpotency according to the requirements of th ecompany and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.U.S. Veterinary License No. 240, MaineBiological Laboratories, Inc., Waterville, Maine04901.

Figure 1

Injection InstructionsHave a partner hold t he b ir d in a manner

which allows you easy access t o t he n eck area.Spray the lower portion of the neck with rubbing alcohol until the feathers are wet (a spraybottle or plant mister works well for thi s purpose). Grasp the skin i n t he midportion of theneck, pinch it between th e t humb and forefinger, and l if t i t upward to form a "pocket"beneath the skin. A full crop may increase thedifficulty of grasping a good fold of skin. Movet he wet feathers ou t of the way so tha t the skinis visible. Carefully insert the needle throughth e skin in t he mid line of th e neck. Do notinject through the skin on the side of the neckbecause there are large numbers of blood vessels found in this area which could be damagedby the needle. A slight resistance should be feltas the needle first penetrates the skin followedby th e needle easily sliding through th e skininto the pocket. If this difference in resistanceis no t felt, t he end of the needle may be insidethe skin. I f the vaccine is injected into the skin,you will see the white vaccine inside the skin.This may develop into a ha rd lump or scabwhich will eventually disappear.Speci al car e must be ta ken vaccinatingpigeons with tight neck skin (such as the Mal

t es e) t o avoid injecting th e vacci ne in to t hemuscles of t he neck as thi s may cause muscledamage.Some fanciers prefer to vaccinate with thesyringe pointed toward the body (Fig. 1) whileothers prefer to point th e syringe toward thehead (Fig. 2). We suggest you try both ways anduse t he method you feel most comfor tablewith. Th e imporant thing is to inject the vaccine into the pocket under th e skin and notinto the skin or the muscle of the neck (Fig. 3).A dose of 1/2 m!. (0.5 m!.) must be injectedaf ter the needle is inserted into the bird. This isequivalent to on e squeeze of th e ]ecta-Maticsyringe or t he d is ta nc e b etween t he largermarkings of th e 2.5 m!. disposable syringes(five of the smallest markings). After injectingthe vaccine, slide the needle ou t of the bird atthe same angle as it was injected.

I f inexperienced, it is suggested that youpractice on your least valuable birds first. Takespecial car e to avo id injec ting yourself. Coverthe needle when not in use. The needle shouldbe wiped with an a lcohol swab after injectingeach bird.

Figure 2MEALWORMSBULK OR PACKEDWAX WORMSFLVLARVAE

TOP QUALITY!LOWEST PRICES!

CALL OR WRITEFOR BROCHUREORDERTOLL FREE1-800-222-3563All OTHER CAllS: 513.874-5881

P.O. BOX 15001-HAMILTON,OH 45015KNOWN FOROUALITYAND SERVICEl

18 June/July1990

Figure 3