Twelve common pathogens — viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic — detected by real-time qPCR, enabling early detection before clinical signs appear.
Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites
An immunosuppressive virus and a core surveillance target in loft health management. It depresses immunity and opens the door to secondary bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
Attacks the upper respiratory tract and conjunctiva, causing breathing difficulty and ocular discharge; spreads quickly in densely housed lofts.
The main cause of "adenovirus disease" (vomiting, diarrhoea, watery droppings), especially after basketing and transport stress. A major threat to race form.
Transmitted by biting insects or wounds, producing skin- and mucosal-type pox lesions that affect appearance, feeding and, in severe cases, survival.
A leading cause of diarrhoea and gut dysfunction in young pigeons, affecting growth and development during the rearing period.
A notifiable avian pathogen causing nervous signs, respiratory distress and high mortality. A priority target for biosecurity and import quarantine.
A common bacterial pathogen causing joint swelling, diarrhoea and wasting, with zoonotic risk — a must-test item for breeder screening.
An opportunistic fungus that overgrows under immunosuppression or antibiotic overuse, causing oral and crop candidiasis.
The most common protozoan pathogen — "canker". It affects the mouth, throat and crop, and is a constant concern during rearing and racing.
Causes respiratory infection, conjunctivitis and systemic disease, with zoonotic (psittacosis) risk to handlers. A key public-health monitoring item.
A multi-organ viral pathogen of concern, most harmful in squabs and young pigeons, linked to immunosuppression and secondary infection.
A leading cause of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) — sneezing, nasal discharge and rales — that erodes respiratory function and race performance.
From "treating after illness" to "predictive prevention"
qPCR detects pathogen nucleic acid during incubation, when the pigeon looks clinically normal but is already infectious. Unlike antigen rapid tests that need a high pathogen load, qPCR finds low-copy DNA/RNA for early intervention before spread.
Early detection before clinical signs
qPCR tracks active infection and asymptomatic carriers; ELISA antibody testing evaluates vaccine immune response. Together they reveal both "infection" and "immunity", pinpointing weak individuals and avoiding blind medication.
Beyond individual testing, sample loft air dust, drinking systems, equipment surfaces and contact zones to quantify environmental pathogen load and map transmission routes for systemic biosecurity.
Multi-dimensional QC for reliable reports
All qPCR tests follow MIQE guidelines for reproducible, accurate and transparent results.
Every reaction includes an internal amplification control to verify extraction, detect PCR inhibition and confirm sample integrity.
The dUTP/UNG system eliminates aerosol carryover, preventing false positives.
Amplification efficiency is kept at 95–105% for reliable detection of low viral loads and early infection.
⚠️ Scope of service: all tests are for racing pigeons and other birds (avian/veterinary use) only. They are not intended for human medical diagnosis. Results support — but do not replace — veterinary clinical judgement.
Health testing across the full racing pigeon lifecycle
Systematically check for pathogens before basketing so pigeons race in top health, avoiding performance loss and cross-infection in the transporter.
Test newly introduced breeders and youngsters before they enter the loft, protecting your biosecurity.
When diarrhoea, respiratory or nervous signs appear, quickly identify the pathogen and guide targeted treatment.
Monitor common young-pigeon pathogens during rearing to reduce mortality and improve survival.
When multiple birds fall ill or die, systematically screen pathogens to clarify the disease and guide isolation and control.
Meet quarantine requirements for cross-region transport, exhibition and export, with a standardised report.
Is it too late to test once symptoms appear?
Testing during symptoms identifies the cause and guides targeted treatment. Regular pre-race screening and quarantine testing catch problems earlier, reducing spread risk.
Does a negative result mean my pigeon is healthy?
Not necessarily. A negative result reflects the sample at the time of collection; sampling timing, sample quality and pathogen load all affect detection.
What should I test when multiple symptoms appear?
Respiratory and digestive symptoms overlap across many pathogens. Choose a combined panel based on symptoms and exposure history, and discuss the plan with the lab.
How long does a report take?
Routine panels take 2-3 working days after the sample arrives; specifics depend on the project and sample receipt time.
Submit samples and receive a report in 2–3 working days
