Occurrence of cestodes and comparative efficacy of Typha angustata and sulphadimidine against cestodes in Columba livia domestica (Domestic Pigeon)

The occurrence of intestinal parasites of Columba livia domestica has been on the increase, leading to high economic and production losses with more fatal cases. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of cestodes in pigeons and determine the efficacy of Typha angustata extract and sulphadimidine against these cestodes in the domestic pigeon. A total of 30 pigeons were examined. 18 (60%) pigeons were found infected with only one type of cestode species (Raillietina spp.). The difference in prevalence between males and females was statistically significant (χ(2) = 8.167, p = 0.004). The mean EPG count in group A (treated with T. angustata extract) before treatment and after treatment was 176 ± 4.33 and 155 ± 4.24, respectively. In group B (treated with sulphadimidine), the mean EPG calculated before treatment and after treatment was 184 ± 6.74 and 35 ± 3.53, respectively. The efficacy at day 28 of T. angustata and Sulphadimidine was 11.93% and 80.97%, respectively. It was concluded on the basis of the EPG and efficacy data that T. angustata extract had low efficacy against raillietiniasis, while as sulphadimidine, which is also used before to treat different intestinal parasites, had a good efficacy against raillietiniasis. Further studies are required to know the prevalence of other gastrointestinal parasites in pigeons and efficacy of different medicinal plants against such parasites.