by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 16, 2014 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News
You really need to watch where you pets walk and play!, Read this story:
Cryptococcus is a relatively common infection caused by a yeast-like fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans. The fungus is widespread in the environment. Cats, dogs, humans, and other animals can become infected. The condition is much more common in cats than dogs, and is primarily a problem in animals with weak or compromised immune systems.
How Pets Acquire a Cryptococcal Infection
A cryptococcal infection is acquired most commonly by inhaling the infectious spores in bird droppings — in particular, pigeon droppings. The fungus has also been found in soil, fruit, and even in the skin of healthy people. However, the main source of exposure and contamination is pigeon poop.
Pigeons rarely become infected with cryptococcus, because their body temperatures are too high to support the growth of the fungus, which passes through their GI tract and is concentrated in their feces.
If the fungus is deposited where it is protected from sunshine and drying out, it can actually survive in the environment for up to two years. Once your cat inhales the spores, the fungus sets up shop in the upper respiratory tract, typically in the nasal passages or the lungs.
In immunologically healthy animals, the fungus remains isolated and doesn’t create any problems at all. But in cats with suppressed immune systems (for instance, those that are dealing with feline leukemia or FIV), the disease can take hold and spread to other organs, including the brain, eyes, lungs, and the central nervous system. This type of disease progression can result in granulomas, pneumonia, or systemic disease.
Cryptococcal infections are not zoonotic, which means they are not spread between humans and animals. The only way to acquire this illness is through direct exposure to the fungal spores themselves.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of cryptococcus vary depending on the organ systems affected by the fungus. Often, symptoms are systemic and nonspecific, such as diminished appetite, weight loss, or lethargy. Other signs to watch for in your cat or dog are sniffling, sneezing, raspy breathing, or a runny nose. Sometimes infected animals can have hard lumpy swellings over the bridge of the nose, skin lesions on the top of the head, or swollen lymph nodes.
If the fungus has invaded the central nervous system, there can be head tilting, nystagmus (a strange, abnormal back and forth eye movement), the inability to blink due to paralysis of the facial nerves, or loss of coordination, including circling and seizures.
Eye problems are also very common and can include hemorrhage in the retina, as well as inflammatory conditions of the eye like chorioretinitis and anterior uveitis.
Diagnosis of a cryptococcal infection can be done quickly and easily through examination of either discharge from the kitty’s nose or skin lesions. The fungus is usually very easy to spot under a microscope and is easily cultured in the laboratory. There’s also a widely used blood test that identifies the fungus, called the latex agglutination test. If a lump is biopsied, diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of the removed tissue.
Once a definitive diagnosis is made, the cat should also receive a complete workup to determine if there’s an underlying disease that has compromised the immune system. Any underlying conditions must be treated in order to successfully treat the cryptococcal infection.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca) Now shipping World Wide.
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 4, 2014 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News
NBC 5 Investigates continues to track a serious threat to airplanes over Bachman Lake, on the north side of Dallas’ Love Field Airport.
Last summer, video shot around the lake showed groups of pigeons sitting on the landing lights and huge flocks of ducks and geese roosting around the lake. On video, one large bird even darted right in front of a Boeing 737 on final approach to the airport. According to a federal database last year, on average, at least one plane per week hit a bird at the airport. Since 1990, more than 400 Southwest Airlines jets have hit birds or other wildlife while Love Field has never had a comprehensive program to deal with them.
Carter said birds get accustomed to noise. After all, they’re not scared away by jets screaming over their heads. Instead, he recommends using trained dogs and falcons to chase birds away day after day.
“So basically you’re giving the birds a choice to be here, where there’s a predator, or a wolf in their eyes, or to be somewhere else where there’s no predator, and you simply shift that,” said Carter.
The airport said it’s now willing to consider the use of dogs and has tested a falcon.
But they’re not using either on a daily basis right now and huge groups of ducks, gulls and pigeons still swarm the area. Despite new warning signs at Bachman Lake, people are still feeding them.
The airport is seriously considering asking the City Council to pass a law that would allow police to ticket people for feeding birds along the lake.
Ultimately, Carter said the birds will stay unless the airport does something to physically chase them off day after day.
Until then, the danger remains.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Feb 23, 2014 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeons in the News
Pigeon Patrol has cleaned up several bridges and know how this city feels:
WICHITA, Kan. -Eric Wittman walks to work from his downtown Wichita apartment. He passes under the Douglas Street bridge twice a day. “It’s filthy. It’s dirty. I’ve been hit by pigeons,” said Wittman.
Wittman says the pigeons are causing a stinky problem in the underpass. “They’ve pooped on me twice.”
That’s why he and many other downtown residents want to see some upgrades to the area.
Wittman says people choose to drive between the two areas.
“I think if you were able to get rid of the pigeons, lighten it up, make it feel safe, I think a lot can be done to make this a place that people would want to travel,” said Wittman.
Some of the most popular ideas for the upgraded underpass include interactive LED lighting and event promotions.
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca) Now shipping World Wide.
by Pigeon Patrol | Feb 17, 2014 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Spikes, UltraSonic Bird Control
Pigeon Patrol is happy to pass on some Pigeon Prevention Guidelines
Urban pigeons are descendants of the Rock Dove, a species of pigeon domesticated by humans for food and as pets. Birds that were released or escaped became today’s city pigeons.
Pigeons can carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans, including histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis.
Pigeons have no natural enemies in urban areas and reproduce quickly. Pigeon overpopulation can lead to increased property damage and higher disease rates among pigeons. Accumulated bird debris may attract mice, rats, and flies.Pigeon droppings are as much a concern as the pigeons themselves. On average, a well-fed pigeon deposits 25 pounds of droppings a year. Pigeon feces are unsightly and can damage buildings, vehicles, trees, shrubs, lawns, benches and park fountains.
Pigeons have four basic needs in order to survive: food, shelter, the ability to reproduce, and safety from predators. If any of these basic needs are disrupted, the pigeons will move away.
Food
Pigeons will eat anything they can fit into their bill. If they cannot find food in an area, they will look for it elsewhere. Follow these steps to keep pigeons from eating at your house:
- Don’t feed the pigeons.
- Remove unsecured bird feeders and routinely clean up spilled seed.
- Cover trash cans and keep area around the cans clean.
- Don’t leave uneaten pet food outside.
- Pick up after your pets. Pigeons will eat pet waste.
- Empty containers of water.
Shelter
Pigeons seek shelter at night and congregate at roosting sites during the day. Pigeons feel safe in a sheltered area where they are not easily seen. In urban areas, pigeons roost in trees, abandoned structures, rafters, beams, along building eaves and awnings, and under bridges. These areas can be easily modified to discourage roosting.
- Block access to interior roosting and nesting sites by using Ultra-flex Bird Spikes, bird netting or wire mesh.
- Bird Spikes can be attached to any area where pigeons roost. These devices consist of a solid base with dull prongs sticking out at all angles. This prevents birds from landing.
- Apartment residents can install sonic and ultrasonic bird repellers to deter the pigeons.
Breeding
Remove nests to discourage breeding. Pigeons will reuse the same nest throughout a breeding season. Keep removing any rebuilt nests. After a few failed attempts, the pigeons will nest somewhere else.
Safety
In an urban environment, pigeons have few natural predators. However, by instinct, pigeons have a fear of being preyed upon. Pigeons may be deterred from locations by hanging “frightening” devices, but these items will only deter the birds for so long.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row. Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca) Now shipping World Wide.
by Pigeon Patrol | Feb 6, 2014 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News
Disgruntle tenant has gone to the birds
Pigeon Patrol called out to help with the roosting pigeons.
A North Vancouver man is crying foul over the effort he says he had to go through to get his landlord to deal with an unhealthy mess of pigeon poop lying inches deep outside his apartment.
“There’s certain standards they are supposed to abide by,” said Michael Ravenscroft, who rents an apartment at 107 West 1st Street.
Ravenscroft said he complained to his property management company, the City of North Vancouver and the health department for a month about the problem before anyone took notice.
“Any other situation where there’s a biohazard, they have a hazmat team come in,” said Ravenscroft. “It’s taken way too lightly.”
Ravenscroft said any time he’s called the authorities, to ask that the property owners be ordered to clean up the pigeon droppings, “They say it’s done. It’s not done.”
Ravenscroft said he first became concerned there might be a problem when he smelled something bad in one area of his apartment and couldn’t find the source, no matter how much he cleaned. It was only when he looked outside, to one of two light shafts running down the middle of the heritage building, that he realized what the problem was: layers of pigeon droppings and decomposing pigeon carcasses.
Until recently, Ravenscroft said he had a hard time getting anyone to take the issue seriously.
Pigeons, that often make nests in covered areas of buildings, are known to carry diseases that can be transferred to humans.
Pigeon droppings can carry funguses and – more rarely – an infectious disease that can be contracted by anyone breathing in dried droppings.
Paul Markey, environmental health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, said the risk is greatest for people actually cleaning the mess rather than living near it.
Markey said a health officer met the property manager on site last week and received assurances the light shaft areas will be cleaned.
Markey added that a number of pigeon-proofing measures have already been placed around the building – including metal spikes that prevent pigeons and other birds from roosting.
He said those will now have to be added to the areas of the building above the light shafts.
Joanne Stevens of Living Balance, the property management company for the building, said she’s aware of the problem and is arranging for cleanup and further pigeon-proofing.
Andrew MacBain of Pigeon Patrol, a Lower Mainland company that specializes in bird-proofing, said he’s taken a look at the problem and will be submitting a plan to get all areas cleaned up by the end of the week.
Pigeons are a huge pest problem all over the Lower Mainland, said MacBain – roosting on ledges, apartment balconies or under awnings. MacBain said his company manufactures and installs spikes to deter the birds, as well as netting and Ultrasonic and sonic devices that scare birds away with high-pitched frequencies as well as sounds that imitate predators.
He adds there’s no shortage of business.
– See more at: http://www.nsnews.com/news/tenant-raises-stink-over-pigeon-filth-1.347112#sthash.ZEk5Z4pK.dpuf
A North Vancouver man is crying foul over the effort he says he had to go through to get his landlord to deal with an unhealthy mess of pigeon poop lying inches deep outside his apartment.
“There’s certain standards they are supposed to abide by,” said Michael Ravenscroft, who rents an apartment at 107 West 1st Street.
Ravenscroft said he complained to his property management company, the City of North Vancouver and the health department for a month about the problem before anyone took notice.
“Any other situation where there’s a biohazard, they have a hazmat team come in,” said Ravenscroft. “It’s taken way too lightly.”
Ravenscroft said any time he’s called the authorities, to ask that the property owners be ordered to clean up the pigeon droppings, “They say it’s done. It’s not done.”
Ravenscroft said he first became concerned there might be a problem when he smelled something bad in one area of his apartment and couldn’t find the source, no matter how much he cleaned. It was only when he looked outside, to one of two light shafts running down the middle of the heritage building, that he realized what the problem was: layers of pigeon droppings and decomposing pigeon carcasses.
Until recently, Ravenscroft said he had a hard time getting anyone to take the issue seriously.
Pigeons, that often make nests in covered areas of buildings, are known to carry diseases that can be transferred to humans.
Pigeon droppings can carry funguses and – more rarely – an infectious disease that can be contracted by anyone breathing in dried droppings.
Paul Markey, environmental health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, said the risk is greatest for people actually cleaning the mess rather than living near it.
Markey said a health officer met the property manager on site last week and received assurances the light shaft areas will be cleaned.
Markey added that a number of pigeon-proofing measures have already been placed around the building – including metal spikes that prevent pigeons and other birds from roosting.
He said those will now have to be added to the areas of the building above the light shafts.
Joanne Stevens of Living Balance, the property management company for the building, said she’s aware of the problem and is arranging for cleanup and further pigeon-proofing.
Andrew MacBain of Pigeon Patrol, a Lower Mainland company that specializes in bird-proofing, said he’s taken a look at the problem and will be submitting a plan to get all areas cleaned up by the end of the week.
Pigeons are a huge pest problem all over the Lower Mainland, said MacBain – roosting on ledges, apartment balconies or under awnings. MacBain said his company manufactures and installs spikes to deter the birds, as well as netting and sonic devices that scare birds away with high-pitched frequencies as well as sounds that imitate predators.
He adds there’s no shortage of business.
– See more at: http://www.nsnews.com/news/tenant-raises-stink-over-pigeon-filth-1.347112#sthash.ZEk5Z4pK.dpuf
Cryptococcus is a relatively common infection caused by a yeast-like fungus called Cryptococcus neoformans. The fungus is widespread in the environment. Cats, dogs, humans, and other animals can become infected. The condition is much more common in cats than dogs, and is primarily a problem in animals with weak or compromised immune systems.
