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Severity 3/5bacterialContagious

Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG)

Also known as: MG, Chronic Respiratory Disease, CRD

A slow-burning bacterial respiratory disease that produces classic foamy eyes and a rattling chest. Birds carry it for life and shed it under stress.

AI illustration of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG)
AI illustration of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG)

Mix of AI illustrations and anonymized real cases shared by community keepers. Visual severity varies by bird, age, and stage.

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Symptoms

  • Sneezing / coughing
  • Wheezing / rattling breath
  • Foamy or bubbly eyes
  • Discharge from eyes or nostrils
  • Swollen sinuses
  • Drop in egg production

Treatment

Isolate sick birds. A vet may prescribe tylosin or tetracycline based antibiotics. Improve ventilation and reduce ammonia. Add vitamins and electrolytes to the water. Recovered birds remain lifetime carriers, plan accordingly.

Prevention

Buy only MG-clean stock from NPIP certified breeders. Quarantine new birds 30 days. Keep stress low (overcrowding, cold drafts, sudden diet changes trigger flare ups). Do not hatch eggs from known carriers.

Typical recovery

10 to 21 days with prompt care.

Sources