title: [Efficacy of doxycycline for treatment of chlamydiosis in flocks of racing and fancy pigeons].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of doxycycline application via drinking water in the treatment of chlamydiosis in infected, clinically ill flocks of racing and fancy pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) under field conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the scope of a field study, 13 pigeon flocks with clinically manifest ornithosis were treated over a period of 25 days with a novel doxycycline formulation via drinking water. Infection with Chlamydia psittaci had been confirmed beforehand by molecular-biological investigation of organ material from dissected pigeons in each flock. Therapeutic success was evaluated by PCR-analysis of triple swabs from 10 animals of each flock on day 25 of treatment and 7 days after completion of the therapy, as well as by repeated individual and daily herd examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The causative agent Chlamydia psittaci together with additionally documented atypical chlamydia species in six of the 13 flocks could thereby no longer be detected. Furthermore, a resolution of clinical symptoms was achieved in each of the treated pigeon flocks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of doxycycline in the described therapy regimen proved successful for the treatment of ornithosis. In addition, excellent acceptance and tolerance of the deployed formulation could be confirmed in praxis.
authors: Prof. Dr. Maria-Elisabeth Krautwald-Junghanns, Klinik für Vögel und Reptilien, Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 17, 04103 Leipzig, E-Mail: krautwald@vogelklinik.uni-leipzig.de.
authors: M-E
authors: ME
authors: Krautwald-Junghanns
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Stolze
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Schmidt
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Böhme
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Sachse
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Cramer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010856:Columbidae; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline
keywords: Chlamydia psittaci; Columba livia f. domestica; drinking water medication; fancy pigeon; ornithosis; racing pigeon