Trichomonadosis of birds

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The trichomonadosis of birds ( yellow button or yellow goiter ) is a parasitosis caused by the single cell Trichomonas gallinae . The parasite mainly affects the upper digestive tract. All bird species are receptive.

Trichomonadosis was first described in 1878. Trichomonadosis was found in wild and ornamental birds in Germany. It was found mainly in pigeon species and songbirds. In addition, birds of prey, owls, parrots and chicken birds are also affected. In the case of pigeons, wood pigeons and letter pigeons or street pigeons are mainly affected. In the pigeons, almost only youngsters show clinical symptoms and deaths. On the other hand, old pigeons usually show no clinical symptoms. The parasite Trichomonas gallinae was found in up to 47% of wood pigeons and up to 30% of letter pigeons and street pigeons.

Among the songbirds, finch species, especially green finches , are primarily affected. In songbirds it has been proven that feeding places and bird baths contribute to the spread, some of which are also used by pigeons. This is one of the reasons why year-round feeding of songbirds is not recommended. When feeding in the winter, the hygiene of the feeding place is important.

The pathogen is transmitted through the uptake of the pathogen at contaminated feeding and watering points, in pigeons also through crop milk and in birds of prey and owls through infected prey birds. The pathogen primarily affects the throat and goiter . The throat or goiter are affected in over 70% of trichomonas cases. The goiter shows itself in the form of small, yellowish, button-like (hence "yellow button") granulomatous changes in the mucous membrane, which can later turn into larger, fish-like-smelling foci of necrosis . Clinically, the disease manifests itself in vomiting and breathing problems. Occasionally, the pathogen can also infect internal organs via the bloodstream - then the symptoms are non-specific and the mortality rate is high - or cause umbilical inflammation .

The diagnosis can be made by microscopic examination of a swab swab or a goiter irrigation sample. Imidazoles such as metronidazole , dimetridazole , carnidazole or ronidazole are suitable for treatment , although resistances have also been observed in recent times. In addition, acidification of the drinking water is therefore recommended.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c R. Stelter and N. Kummerfeld: Trichomonadosis - a parasitosis that is widespread today in wild and ornamental birds. In: Tierärztliche Umschau 69 (2014), pp. 133–140.
  2. ↑ PETERS M & LUDWICHOWSKI I 2010: Trichomonads infestation in wild green finches Carduelis chloris and other songbirds (Passeriformes) in Germany in 2009 - attempt to take stock. Bird World 131: 1-6
  3. ↑ M. Peters et al. 2009: Increased deaths of wild greenfinches at feeding places as a result of Trichomonas gallinae infections - a current problem in northern Germany. Kleintierpraxis 54, H. 8: 1-5

Web links

Karl Gabrisch, Diseases of Pets , Schlütersche 2010