Racing pigeon antibiotic sensitivity test, also known as a bacterial culture and sensitivity test, is a laboratory procedure used to determine the most effective antibiotic or antimicrobial treatment for a specific bacterial infection in birds.
Performing an antibiotic sensitivity test is important in Pigeon medicine to select the most appropriate and effective treatment for bacterial infections while minimizing the use of unnecessary antibiotics. This helps improve the bird's chances of recovery and reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance. 
Sample Collection.
The first step is to collect a sample from the infected bird. This sample can be obtained from various sources, depending on the suspected infection site. Common sources include droppings, swabs from the throat, cloaca (vent), or other affected areas.
Bacterial Culture.
The collected sample is then streaked onto a special growth medium, such as agar, which allows bacteria to grow. The sample is incubated at a specific temperature to encourage bacterial growth.
Bacterial Identification.
Once bacterial colonies have grown on the culture medium, the specific type of bacteria causing the infection is identified. This is typically done through visual inspection of colony characteristics and sometimes through additional tests, such as Gram staining.
Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing.
To determine which antibiotics are effective against the identified bacteria, a sensitivity test is performed. Small discs or wells containing different antibiotics are placed on the culture plate. As the antibiotics diffuse into the agar, they create zones of inhibition around them if they are effective against the bacteria. The size of these zones helps determine the sensitivity of the bacteria to each antibiotic.
Interpretation.
RP laboratory technician interprets the results based on the size of the zones of inhibition. Larger zones generally indicate that the bacteria are more sensitive to the antibiotic, while smaller or absent zones suggest resistance. The technician then generates a report listing the antibiotics tested and their effectiveness against the bacteria.
Treatment Recommendation.
Based on the sensitivity test results, the veterinarian can make an informed decision about which antibiotic is most likely to be effective in treating the specific bacterial infection in the bird. It's crucial to use the antibiotic that the bacteria are sensitive to maximize treatment success and minimize the development of antibiotic resistance.