Undesirable reactions of domestic pigeons to vaccination against paramyxovirus type 1
Bönner, B.M.; Koehler, K.; Reichel, U.; Beck, I.; Jaeger, S.; Barbeito, J.; Redmann, T.; Kaleta, E.F.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 110(10): 403-406
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 14650734 Document Number: 556569
Subcutaneous vaccination of fancy and racing pigeons with inactivated oil-based vaccines protects against all clinical manifestations caused by the Paramyxovirus type 1. Correct application of the vaccine may occasionally result in the development of granulomas or abscess-like lesions on the site of vaccine application. This study was conducted to describe in detail the extent and frequency of 3 undesirable reactions in vaccinated domestic homing and fancy pigeons. Records of pigeons vaccinated in the years 1988 to 2000 were retrospectively examined for type and frequency of granuloma or abscess-like lesion formation and for seroconversion post-vaccination. Postmortem records of submitted dead pigeons were screened for subcutaneous lesions attributable to vaccine applications. Three cases in which pigeon lofts were vaccinated and resulted to undesirable reactions, were reported. In the first case, a loft of racing pigeons were subcutaneously vaccinated for the first time with an oil-emulsified pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (pPMV-1) vaccine. Of 30 vaccinated birds, 5 developed firm and round granulomas. Of the 100 racing pigeons comprising the second case, 10 reacted after the first vaccination, with small but palpable granulomas which regressed within 3 weeks. Of 30 revaccinated lynx pigeons in the third case, 30 reacted within one week with the development of large granulomas on the middle and lateral part of the neck. Although protected against the disease as proven by challenge experiments, a variable proportion of vaccinated pigeons did not react with the formation of detectable serum antibodies. The pathogenesis of granuloma and abscess-like lesion developments and the failure to form humoral antibodies were not understood. Questions relating to legal liability of veterinarians that perform the vaccinations were briefly discussed.