RESEARCH ARTICLES

Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites among pigeons in Kerala
Juby Thankachan, P. V. Tresamol , K. Vijayakumar , K. Vinodkumar and S. Ajithkumar

doi:   DOI: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2022.53.1.39-43

Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.2022.53 (1): 39-43

Author Details

Juby Thankachan :  MVSc Scholar, Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. PIN-680 651 Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India

P. V. Tresamol : Professor , Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. PIN-680 651 Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India

K. Vijayakumar :  Professsor and Head, Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. PIN-680 651 Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India

K. Vinodkumar : Assistant Professor , Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. PIN-680 651 Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India

S. Ajithkumar : Professor and Head, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence

Article History

 Received: 16.04.2021 Accepted: 26.06.2021 Published: 31.03.2022

Corresponding author: Juby Thankachan

e-mail: ubymariya@gmail.com

Citation: Juby, T., Tresamol, P. V, Vijayakumar, K., Vinodkumar, K. and Ajithkumar, S. 2022. Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites among pigeons in Kerala. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 53(1): 39-43.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2022.53.1.39-43



Abstract


Pigeon rearing is comparatively easy and profitable when compared to rearing of otherexotic birds such as canaries and parrots. As the bird population is on the rise, there is a steadyupsurge in the occurrence of diseases too. Parasitic infestation among pigeons can be mild tofatal and thus a major cause of concern. A study was conducted to find out the occurrence ofgastrointestinal parasites among pigeons in Kerala. Out of 91 pigeons tested, 79were foundpositive for ova of gastrointestinal parasites with a prevalence of 86.8 per cent.Ascaridia spp.(59.3per cent) and Capillaria spp.(19.7 per cent) were the most common nematodes observed.Oocysts of Eimeria spp. was observed in 39.5 per cent of pigeons screened. Mixed infections were also noticed in 35.1 per cent of birds. This study depicts a very high occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites among pigeons of Kerala which in turn requires intervening measures to reduce the incidence.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal parasites, pigeons, Kerala