Clinical diagnostics is one of my hobbyhorses. This means that based on the symptoms of the pigeon(s) plus the story (complaints) of the owner and the questions and answers about these complaints (anamnesis), you will look over several possible causes of the problems and come to a (probability) diagnosis.
As there are so few veterinarians in the pigeon world who have some knowledge of pigeon medicine, you are obviously consulted as a pigeon veterinarian by pigeon fanciers from many different countries. If you can also speak several languages, this contributes to a better understanding of the problem!

Asking questions

Already, from the beginning of my pigeon medicine career the pigeon fanciers knew how to find me. That started in the Netherlands, of course, but quickly spread to Belgium, Germany, England and France. You slowly but surely learn how to formulate your questions in order to get clear answers. You have to work almost schematically to gain insight into the problems you are consulted about. If the owner doesn’t see any clear symptoms, you will have to ask very general questions such as:

1. How long has the problem existed?
2. Are they eating normally?
3. Are they drinking normally?
4. How old are the pigeons?
5. Are they losing weight?
6. What do the droppings look like, for example watery or
    slimy and then which colour: green, brown or yellow.
7. Are the pigeons vomiting?
8. Are they short of breath, are they rattling?
9. Are there any nervous symptoms?
10. Are they lame or having wing problems?
11. Is there mortality in the flock and how long does it take
      before they die and what percentage approximately?
12. Have they been vaccinated against PMV every year,
      including the breeders, and when were they last
      vaccinated?
13. Do they have yellow spots or tissue in their beaks?
14. Do they have lumps on the eyelids, nose or beaks?
All questions that are very important to gain insight
into the problems in the loft.

Excluding diseases

Dependent on the answers to the questions asked, we will further break down the questions to arrive at a differential diagnosis! That is, a group of diseases to which the reported problems may belong. The better your questions, the more likely you are to exclude a number of diseases. If you have the pigeons in the clinic, you can easily and quickly do microscopic faecal research and take swabs from the throat and cloaca. If nothing turns up from these investigations, you can immediately exclude a number of diseases.

Further research

Once the pigeons come to the clinic, we soon get a first impression when we take a look at the condition of the basket(s). They are usually clean both inside and outside, which generally says something about the owner or caregiver.

In case of problems with the front airways and/or if the pigeons are not fresh, I get a schematic drawing done of the loft. This also provides important information.

Before we take the pigeon in our hands, the pigeon is often first observed quietly. We look at the general condition, droppings, breathing and possibly noticeable symptoms such as trembling, turning the head, position of the wings, eye problems such as swelling, or membranes on one or both sides. We then take the pigeon in the hand and assess the nutritional condition from normal to too lean or too fat! We also want to know if it is a cock or a hen and if that is not clear, we ask the owner.