Spread of Pigeon eimeriosis in the conditions of individual farms of the eastern region of Ukraine

Abstract

Compliance with veterinary sanitary norms and rules for keeping pigeons does not completely solve the problem of eimeriosis due to the high reproductive ability of the parasite and the long (about a year) preservation of oocysts in the external environment. The aim of the work was to study the epizootic situation regarding the spread of pigeon eimeriosis in individual farms in the eastern region of Ukraine and to determine the species composition of pathogens. Feces of pigeons from individual farms of the eastern region of Ukraine (Kharkiv, Donetsk, Sumy and Poltava regions) served as material for research. 926 samples of pigeon feces were investigated by flotation methods. The species belonging of the causative agents of eimeriosis was determined by the results of own studies of oocyst morphologies and by data from L. P. Pellerdy tables (1974). As a result of studies, it was found that pigeon eimeriosis is widespread in individual farms in the eastern region of Ukraine (prevalence — 52.3%). The smallest eimeriosis invasion was detected in pigeons in Donetsk and Poltava regions, 46.9% and 47.2% respectively, in Kharkov region — 50.2%, and the largest in Sumy region — 65.9%. At the same time, a weak degree of invasion (1–10 oocysts in 1 g of feces) was recorded in 43–64%, medium (11–100 oocysts in 1 g of feces) — 26–45% and strong (> 100 oocysts in 1 g feces) — 10–12% of the number of invaded birds. In the eastern region of Ukraine, three species of Eimeria that cause eimeriosis of pigeons (Eimeria columbae, Eimeria columbarum, Eimeria labbeana) were identified, the ratio of which in the total number of oocysts ranged: Eimeria labbeana — 71.0–81.5%, Eimeria columbarum — 14.5–26.5%, Eimeria columbae — 2.5–4.0%