Unusual query about coccidiosis

Hi all,
I have a rathar unusual query (or maybe it isn't, depends on what answers I get): Have any of you had experience with coccidiosis causing brittle bones in pigeons?

At work we received a pigeon that had coccidiosis (which we determined after we had its faeces analysed). It was with us for over a month, not responding to treatment. Then one day it stopped standing on one of its legs, kept holding it up. The leg didn't seem injured, but the pigeon wouldn't stand on it. Sadly we couldn't save the pigeon - it died about a week ago.

We have another pigeon that wasn't responding to any treatment nor putting on any weight and we had its faeces analysed. Sure enough, the pigeon has a bad case of coccidiosis. The pigeon has been with us for over a month. A few days ago the pigeon broke its leg (high up near the hip). We have no idea how since he's kept in a cage and is only handled when we clean the cage out and give him medication. The injury happened one evening or during the night because we discovered that his leg was broken in the morning.

I couldn't help but think that maybe there was some connection between the two cases. But maybe it's just a fluke that both pigeons hurt their legs and had coccidiosis? I think it's weird.

Just a thought, Revati,
Do you think both ill birds could have been calcuim deficient, thereby causing the bones to become susceptible to brakes?

AZWhitefeather wrote:

Just a thought, Revati,
Do you think both ill birds could have been calcuim deficient, thereby causing the bones to become susceptible to brakes?

That could very much be the case. It's just all very odd. :(

Mrs.AviatorRodent wrote:

AZWhitefeather wrote:

Just a thought, Revati,
Do you think both ill birds could have been calcuim deficient, thereby causing the bones to become susceptible to brakes?

That could very much be the case. It's just all very odd. :(

That it is.

How is the remaining pigeon doing, Raveti?

I'm just as puzzled as you are...
I've never come across any connection between coccidiosis and brittle bones. Could the cocci be secondary to other health problems that might include rickets/brittle bone? It doesn't take much to upset the delicate balance between protozoans and host... Could the two pigeons be related?
Calcium deficiency still seems the most likely culprit, especially if the birds are female. It causes, not only weak bones, but balance problems, and that could cause fractures, even in a cage.

Thanks Cindy and Teresa, it's a bit of a puzzle but thankfully the pigeon's leg is healing and he (or she) seems to be on the mend. We're support feeding him, he's getting cage rest (in a padded cage!) and he's receiving his medication as well as vitamin and calcium supplements. Hopefully, in a few weeks time he'll be back to normal, but it's been, and will probably still be, a long road to recovery.

Revati, Do your pigeons normally get vitamin supplements and calcium? If they are deficient in Vit. D3, then they won't absorb calcium. This would cause brittle bones.

Please keep us posted on the progress of the little guy.

I'm glad the patient is stable. I'll be keeping everything crossed that he gets well!

NiteOwl wrote:

Revati, Do your pigeons normally get vitamin supplements and calcium? If they are deficient in Vit. D3, then they won't absorb calcium. This would cause brittle bones.

The feral pigeons that come to my work (a wildlife rescue centre) will get some supplements whilst they are recuperating or growing up to be released - but because they are wild birds we generally assume they have had a complete diet unless we see evidence of defiencies (in which case they get extra support). We also get a lot of collared doves suffering from calcium deficiency in January and February, so they also get calcium and Vit D.

Revati - this sounds very much like a calcium deficiency to me. Maybe it is also a case where the pigeons have difficulties to absorb and metabolize the calciumcarbonat in form of the usual stuff they find outside? It just reminds me of Teresa's severe case (Sammy??) of calcium deficiency.
This can be solved by supplying calciumgluconat only which can be found in Sandoz calcium tablets for not so severe cases (these contain both - carbonat and gluconat) while Calcivet is a high-dosed calcium gluconat with Vit D3 in liquid form.

pigeonwriter wrote:

This can be solved by supplying calciumgluconat only which can be found in Sandoz calcium tablets for not so severe cases (these contain both - carbonat and gluconat) while Calcivet is a high-dosed calcium gluconat with Vit D3 in liquid form.

I've not heard of Sandoz tablets but we give Calcivet to the pigeons. Thanks for the info, Petra!

Thanks Revati. Let us know how it goes.

Revati, The Sandoz forte (fizzy tablets, 500 mg) Calcium (for humans) with Vit D3 was a recommendation from Plamenh - one tablet on 1 l of water once a week. Since I am using Calcivet I don't use the tablets any more.