ECTOPARASITES AND GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTH OF DOMESTIC PIGEONS IN AWKA, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
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Abstract
The keeping of pigeons as pets and its consumption for protein, is a potential source of zoonotic diseases. The study of ectoparasites and gastrointestinal helminth of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Awka, was conducted between November 2021 and January 2022. The objectives were to determine the ectoparasites and gastrointestinal helminths associated with the pigeons, and the prevalence of the parasites in relation to sex. A total of 30 adult pigeons (12 males and 18females) were examined for ectoparasites through physical observation using a magnifying hand lens, and gastrointestinal helminths through dissection and observation of the alimentary canal under the objective lens of the microscope. Chi-square test was employed to determine the possible association between parasite prevalence and the sexes. Three ectoparasites recovered were Columbicola columbae (33.33%), Menopon gallinae (20.00%), and Gonoides gallinae (13.33%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of parasite species (P=0.165; P<0.05). Four gastrointestinal helminth parasites also recovered includes Raillietina tetragona (13.33 %). R. cesticillus (10.00 %), R. echinobothrida (3.33 %) (cestodes) and one nematode, Ascaridia columbae (33.33 %). There was significant difference in the prevalence of parasite species (P=0.008; P<0.05). The males recorded a higher prevalence of infections (25.00%) than the females (11.11 %) for the gastrointestinal parasites but had equal prevalence of ectoparasites infestations (33.33 %) each. There was no significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among gender (P=1.000, P>0.05). The study showed that pigeons play host to ectoparasites and intestinal helminths and as such necessary and precautionary control measures against pigeon-associated parasitic diseases should be implemented.
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