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The Pigeon Racing Medicine Cabinet

The Pigeon Racing Medicine Cabinet

Medicines which the fancier may be wise to stock, and the reasons to use them:

Baytril–a good choice for serious infections, mainly intestinal or systemic. This drug comes in tablet form and individual pigeons can be dosed at 5mg per pigeon per day. Flock treat with the liquid Baytril only (the tablets will not go into solution). Use for 5-10 days.

Do not use during reproduction and rapid growth of squabs.

Amoxicillin–a safer alternative drug to Baytril. It can be used during reproduction and racing without side effects. Not as broad spectrum as Baytril but often very effective in treating serious infections. Comes in tablet form (50mg) which can be used once or twice daily on individual cases. Flock treatment best accomplished using 3grams per gallon for 5-10 days.

Tetracycline drug (Terramycin, Aeuromycin, Tetracycline , or Doxycycline)–good for respiratory infections; best when used in combination with Tylan. One usually has no distinct advantage over the other and they share a common spectrum of activity. With the exception of Doxycycline, they are all available over the counter as poultry preparations. Use 4 teaspoonsful per gallon of the regular strength or 2 teaspoonsful per gallon of the concentrate. Doxycyline is dosed at 500-1000mg per gallon. Use these for 7-14 days.

Tylan–use as mentioned above, in combination with a tetracycline for respiratory infections. Tylan powder is dosed at 1-2 teaspoonsful per gallon. Individual dose at 50 mg per pigeon per day.

Delta Albaplex– this is a veterinary tablet which can be quite useful in treating individual cases of respiratory disease. It contains a tetracycline plus albamycin as well as a small amount of corticosteroid. Use 1/2 tablet twice daily for 3-7 days.

Amprolium– the standby for coccidiosis..treat at 1tsp/gallon of the 20% powder for 3-5 days.

Baycox (Toltazuril)–a newer more effective coccidiostat, not yet avilable in the USA but seems to be available through various channels. Can be used instead of Amprolium. Dose for 1-2 days at 4cc (100mg) per gallon.

Ronidazole (RIdzol)– for trichomonas…this is the safest of the three products commonly used but is not approved for use in this country. 1tsp per gallon for 3-5 days.

Emtryl (Dimetridazole)–for trichomonas…not approved for use in this country. Mexican or Canadian Emtryl dosed at 1/4-3/8 tsp per gallon for 3-5 days. Can cause seizures at higher doses.

Flagyl (Metronidazole)–for trichomonas…25-50 mg per pigeon per day for 1-3 days or 1250-2500 mg per gallon for 3-5 days.

Ivomec (Ivermectin)–wormer–500-1000micrograms(ug) per pigeon. Effective against Capallaria (hairworms) and Tetrameres and Dyspharynx (stomach wall worms); less effective against Roundworms.

Pyrantel pamoate–1-3mg per pigeon (75mg per gallon) for 1-2 days for roundworms only.

Tramisol (levamisole) 1-1.5 grams per gallon for one day for roundworms only.

Panacur (fenbendazole) effective against the three major worms but has potential to cause feather damage. Do not use during reproduction or moult. 5mg per pigeon per day for 3 days.

Quinacrine–antimalarial drug..use only in areas where malaria or Haemoproteus is a problem. Use for 4 weeks before flying season then one day weekly during races. Dosse at 200mg per gallon

There are many other choice available and I’ve kept it to what I consider a minimal, giving choices for some conditions. Not all of these drugs are commonly available. Consult your friendly veterinarian for help in acquiring some of these handy drugs as some are by perscription only.

See also Pigeon Medications Part 2

The Pigeon Racing Medicine Cabinet by Dr. David E. Marx DVM

Learn the champions secret winning pigeon racing formula! Click here to learn more

Your guide to pigeon racing and racing pigeons.

  1. alan healy
    November 26, 2009 at 2:58 am | #1

    would the name nolvasan be the same treatment for birds in ireland if not what would you recomend

    • Andy
      January 19, 2010 at 12:43 pm | #2

      I just attended a seminar by Ed Minville in Chicago. He informed everyone that more studies have been done on the use of Nolvasan and Bleach. DO NOT USE IT!!!! You are putting poison into your birds system. If you think it’s good for the birds than you drink it…

  2. November 26, 2009 at 9:31 am | #3

    Alan, What are you trying to treat?

  3. November 28, 2009 at 8:32 pm | #4

    Nolvasan is a brand name for Chlorhexidine diacetate
    Chlorhexidine diacetate is Disinfectant , Bactericide – Virucide

  4. December 6, 2009 at 3:25 am | #5

    trying to treat birds for paratyphoid because young bird sickness is rampint in ireland just doing it as a precauion

  5. GEORGE VENABLES
    December 8, 2009 at 7:53 am | #6

    where to purchase medicines for pigeons I live in the north east of england

  6. December 21, 2009 at 1:03 pm | #7

    Helpfull article

  7. Asim
    January 2, 2010 at 5:57 am | #8

    where to purchase medicines for pigeons I live in the pakistan Islamabda

  8. asif
    January 7, 2010 at 6:59 pm | #11

    hi i want this madicine .how i get this madecine, ple frind…asif

  9. January 16, 2010 at 3:31 pm | #12

    Helpfull article

  10. January 17, 2010 at 10:14 am | #13

    helpfull to everone you are the man.

  11. erinn
    January 18, 2010 at 6:15 am | #14

    Good article…I think it is quite difficult to find those medicine here in the phillippines, any substitute medicines from the mentioned medicines that I can purchase at local markets?

  12. Ken Kobus
    January 19, 2010 at 8:58 am | #15

    Chris,

    Rondizole dosage is too low. Ridzol 10% jar has 1-1/2 tsp per gallon for 3 days prevention and 5 days cure. In case of resistance 2 tsp per gallon. In my own experience I used 3 tsp per gallon to be effective for the cure.

  13. Ken Kobus
    January 19, 2010 at 9:11 am | #16

    Chris,

    MEDPET Ronsec tablets for individual treatment of resistant crop canker are a combination of Ronidazole 25mg and Secnidazole 25mg. Dosage is: 1 tablet per pigeon (450-500g body weight)on full crop after feeding. Skip one day and repeat again on third day. Very effective single bird treatment.

  14. Ken Kobus
    January 19, 2010 at 9:32 am | #17

    Chris,

    Ivomec sheep drench .08% for flock treatment. 28 ml/cc per gallon of water for one day and repeat 10 days later. This gets the eggs that were not hatched on the first treatment. Loft should be cleaned after each treatment. If loft cannot be cleaned, treat every 21 days for six months. Worm eggs only are infective for up to 6 months. 10ml/cc per gallon in bath water for external parasites. Probiotics should be fed after treatment.

  15. Andy
    January 19, 2010 at 12:46 pm | #18

    DO NOT USE NOLVASAN OR CHLORAX IN WATER!!! IT IS POISON FOR YOUR BIRDS. I JUST ATTENDED A SEMINAR IN CHICAGO, GIVEN BY ED MINVILLE. HE SAID MORE STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE ON THESE TWO LIQUIDS AND IT IS LIKE PUTTING POISON INTO YOUR BIRDS. + COMMON SENSE WILL TELL YOU…. YOU DON’T PUT THAT IN YOUR DRINKING WATER… WHY GIVE IT TO THE BIRDS. USE APPLE CIDER AND OR ECOL TONIC.

  16. Ken Kobus
    January 20, 2010 at 8:38 am | #19

    Youngbird sickness is traveling the us also. Our club cancelled the race season early due to it. Try 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon per gallon of water for 3 days. Cinnamon has been used by oriental cultures for centuries for intestinal problems. It is thought to be anti bacterial, anti viral. Birds like the taste of it and will drink it easily. Give them a probiotic afterwards.

  17. josef
    January 27, 2010 at 6:57 am | #20

    dear experts if you know plz kindly let me know how to use herbal medicines for pegion racing thanks

  1. November 25, 2009 at 7:11 pm | #1
  2. November 26, 2009 at 10:55 am | #2