A brief review on the most common diseases, traditional treatment and antibiotic alternatives in racing pigeons

Abstract

Pigeon racing is a highly competitive sport which has seen a decline in popularity in Western countries but is rapidly increasing in popularity in China and the East. This literature review aimed to review the most important information regarding pigeon loft management, breeding practices, vaccination strategies, (bacterial, viral, protozoal) diseases, treatment options and antibiotic alternatives while highlighting the overuse of antibiotic in the racing pigeon industry. Since the pigeon racing industry is a multimillion-dollar industry, the importance of characterization, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases affecting pigeons cannot be understated.