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Pigeons and Doves 443

Other Parasites
Pigeons often present with ectoparasites, such as feather lice and flat flies (Hippoboscidae). If these
parasites are noted, spray the bird (while covering the head) with a topical anti‐arthropod spray
such as UltraCare Mite and Lice Bird Spray (8 in 1 Pet Products). Provide adequate ventilation dur-
ing and after application to prevent inhalation of vapors. Columbids may have intestinal parasites,
such as coccidia and nematodes (e.g. Capillaria spp.). Clinical signs include depression, emacia-
tion, poor weight gain despite good appetite, and diarrhea. These organisms are diagnosed by fecal
floatation and microscopic examination. Capillaria may be treated with fenbendazole at 50 mg/kg
orally once daily for 5 days (Hawkins et al. 2018). Treatment may need to be repeated in 14 days.
Coccidiosis can be treated orally with ponazuril at 20 mg/kg once daily (Hawkins et al. 2018), treat-
ing for 5 days clears almost all cases, continue to day 7 if still positive on day 6. Some rehabilitators
use toltrazuril but this can be hard to find in the United States. Coccidia is a highly infectious,
environmentally stable organism that can spread rapidly in crowded shelters and aviaries. It is very
important to wear disposable gloves when handling infected birds and to wash all tools, bedding,
caging, and cage furnishings thoroughly. Once an aviary has become contaminated, steam clean-
ing may be the only option to control the parasite.

Avian Pox

Avian pox is a viral disease that can affect most or all birds with strains specific to related groups of
species. It usually presents as wart‐like nodules on unfeathered parts of the body, such as the feet
and beak, but may be found on the wings and around the vent. This is also a highly contagious
disease that spreads rapidly in shelters when the scabrous lesions begin to exfoliate. Patients may
present with visible lesions on arrival or pox nodules can develop in care, especially if the animal
is stressed. It transmits from bird to bird through direct contact or contact with fomites (e.g. dust
from scab exfoliations, contaminated feeding utensils, bedding, caging, insects, or a caregiver’s
hands). The disease is environmentally stable for months to years. In high volume shelters, it is
recommended that all affected birds are euthanized and exposed birds (that were in direct contact)
be quarantined for 14 days. Affected birds can be treated, but only if they can be kept completely
isolated from conspecifics or related species; ideally in a separate building with caregivers that only
work with these individuals. Handlers of pox‐infected birds should wear disposable gloves, wash
hands and arms after handling, then change clothing and shoes before handling any other birds.
There is no specific treatment for pox other than supportive care. Lesions should be cleaned
daily with dilute chlorhexidine or povidone‐iodine solutions. Reduce stress as much as possible.
It may be necessary to prevent secondary infections of severe lesions by using systemic antibiot-
ics or antifungal medications. Large pox nodules can sometimes be removed by a veterinarian,
which may shorten recovery times, but is not curative. Be aware that pox may take several
months to resolve.

Splayed Legs
Splayed legs can occur in developing birds when there is not enough support from the nest during
joint development or a poor calcium‐to‐phosphorus ratio (Ca : P) in the diet. Slippery, flat sub-
strates with poor traction (e.g. newspaper) and a lack of nest materials that growing toes can grab
can cause splaying. At first, the hock appears flattened, widened, and swollen. As the condition
worsens, the tendon at the hock may slip, or the tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus become twisted or