PREVALENCE OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL HELMINTHS OF PET BIRDS

Abstract

Executive summary Gastrointestinal parasites have always been a problem causing severe parasitism in captive birds where the herds are kept in a small range of areas. This present study was carried out to investigate the gastrointestinal parasites of captive birds in Bangladesh. A total of 100 pooled fecal sample of birds were selected randomly in which the ages of those birds were determined according to the size of crown, length of the spur and flexibility of xiphoid cartilage together along with the information from the owner. The fecal samples were examined by direct smear method and simple sedimentation technique for detection of parasitic eggs, cysts, or oocysts. After those coproscopical examinations, the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection was 42.00%. Six gastrointestinal parasites, namely, Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, Capillaria sp., Balantidium coli, Eimeria spp., and Giardia sp. were documented during the study. The highest parasitic infection (60.00%) was observed in the fecal sample collected from Mirpur and Cumilla, followed by Shatfeet (40.00%), Katabon (28.00%), and Mohammadpur (20.00%) whereas, 25.00% of Ascaridia galli, 8.00% of Heterakis gallinarum, 8.00% of Capillaria spp., 8.00% of Eimeria spp., 7.00% of Balantidium coli and 2.00% of Giardia spp. were observed. In this investigation, Dove, Cockatoo, Pigeon, Parrot, Guinea fowl, Budgerigar, Quail, and Love bird were examined where parasitic infections were found at 92.30%, 85.71%, 80.65%, 50.00%, 42.84%, 26.67%, 25.00%, 9.09%, respectively. Single infection (23.00%) was higher than multiple infections (19.00%) in this study. Moreover, the prevalence of helminth (29.00%) was found relatively higher than protozoan infection (24.00%). The findings of this study will help pet bird owners, and breeders, as well as veterinarians, to respond effectively to the disease's prevention and control.