March/April 2025

6 – Purebred PIGEON T reatment The fact that AIV infection causes such mild symp- toms does not justify routine treatment. If birds show sign of mild eye infection a pigeon specific ophthalmic disinfection drop (Avionaze) may be applied to the eyes 2 x per day while symptoms last. C onclusion AIV is a serious disease of Poultry that is endem- ically carried by waterfowl and shorebirds and affects other bird species and animals including humans. The incidence in pigeons is low and it is accepted that pigeons do not infect poultry or other species except via fomite transmission. The disease is not transmitted via eggs or sperm of pigeons. Clinical symptoms in healthy pigeons are extremely mild. Prevention is based on husbandry and preventative supplementation with pigeon specific products. Vaccination is not available or currently advised. Treatment is seldom indicated. Continuous education and interaction with au- thorities needs to be prioritized to ensure that pigeons are not considered as poultry and that quarantine and culling is not done on pigeons during outbreaks of AIV in poultry.• Dr Ockert Botha, pigeon and avian veterinarian, is the founder of avian and pigeon medicine in South Africa in 1988. Active world-wide, as a veterinary avian and pigeon consultant to pigeon fanciers in maintaining the utmost health and performance of their pigeons. Ockert’s passion for the pigeon sport emanated when he started racing pigeons along with his father as a boy. His father, being a pharmacist, was Ockert’s first inspiration and mentor in his ever present and ongoing search for new pigeon medicines. His incredible scien- tific knowledge of pigeon diseases was established at the prestigious Onderstepoort Veterinary faculty where he delivered a dissertation on pigeon disease treatment whilst still studying to become a veterinarian. During his study period he was awarded the honor of doing the clinical trials for registration of three world renowned pigeon products. Ockert qualified in 1982 at the top of his class and was also honored as the best clinical student in his class by being awarded the clinical medal of excellence. After qualifying as a veterinarian, he started researching and developing pigeon specific medicines and supplements. He founded the well-known pigeon medicine company Medpet in 1988 and went on to research, develop and register most of the internationally recognized Medpet products until he sold the company to pursue his other business interests. Ockert continued his excellence in clinical research of pigeon disease prevention and treatment and was instrumental in developing the cutting edge scientific Aviomed range of pigeon products. products, benefit from Ockert’s more than 40 years of experience but even more so by his ever-present search for new scien- tific breakthroughs in the formulation of pigeon health products. (from the Aviomded .co.za website