Endoparasites
As for the worms I will limit myself to the worm species that occur in these regions. The most common worms in pigeons are the roundworm and her so called Nematodes. Roundworms are the tapeworm belonging to the Cestodes and the pigeon bone belonging to the trematodes (flukes).
Worm Infections be established regularly. What strikes me is that when I am invited for the first time, by an association, to come investigate the pigeons on location, there are often several lovers with worms. Especially when the control takes place after the season. The mutual infection usually is also high in the baskets. We often find that the performance level of the whole society can be disappointing when this occurs. Although usually more is going on, the number of infections can be brought back drastically. Worm eggs can survive for a long time, in and out of the loft. Therefore, it is always advisable to do regular manure testing when there is a worm infection.
In this newsletters we focus on Roundworms.
The roundworm (Ascaridae columbae)
Infections with this worm species are still common. Lofts who are affected by them can regularly experience new outbreaks. This is partly because the environment of the loft remains infected with worm eggs, who could be resumed by the pigeons, or be carries back in by the breeders, so the pigeons can be infected again. In case of a severe worm infection it could be wise to burn out the lofts with a burner or a paint stripper.
The mature worm lives coil in the small intestine and is between the 3-7 cm long. The roundworm female can lay thousands and thousands of eggs. The eggs are not visible without a microscope. The worms have a direct cycle. That means that no intermediate host such as tapeworms has to be involved and the pigeon bone is this case. After the female worm laid her eggs, they are not equally infectious. In a warm, humid environment, these worms get infectious after 10-14 days maturation. Infection via the baskets, during flights, is basically only possible if the following flights are not cleaned and disinfected properly. Does a pigeon take the laid eggs up when in the basket, then they are already through the intestine of the new host before they are contagious. Does the pigeon pick up these infective worm eggs then they will open in the intestine of the pigeon. The roundworms hangs around in the small intestine of the pigeon. The larvae that hatch from the eggs crawl to mucous membrane in the intestinal wall where they nest, ones it is in there it will moult several times. These first larval stages are not sensitive to any worm product. Hence, that one needs to treat again, to get rid of these larvae that were not susceptible to anti worm products. But became adult and are able to produce their own eggs now. The period between infection and when the adult worms themselves are able to lay eggs is called the prepatent period. This is around 30-40 days for the maw worm.
Pathogenicity and clinical signs
The harmfulness of the roundworms for the virulence is not so bad. Yet we must not underestimate infection with roundworms. Some roundworms could decline the condition of a pigeon. Now that the pigeon sport has become top sport , one cannot afford to have a worm infection untreated. The worms eat as it were, with the host and take some of the minerals, vitamins and trace elements from the host. In addition, of course, also have other nutrients. But reducing the availability of micronutrients is part of the reason that these pigeons will throw down worse. With heavy infections, slimming the pigeons and the condition is declining and the pigeons are rather tired. There may also be diarrhea occurring, which starts out mushy. All in all, the pigeons by undermining the resistance are also susceptible to other infections.
Occasionally, a pigeon with a heavy worm infection will die. This can happen when there are so many worm eggs present in the intestine, that an intestinal obstruction occurs.
Detained pigeons often suffer from worms in practice. Possibly that one decides to check the manure of the race pigeons first. Pigeons who are housed in an aviary, you best place on a grid so that they cannot come into contact with manure. On lofts itself one should not forget the seams, crevices and corners, when a worm infection has been detected. As explained above, when your pigeons are infected you need to treat them. But must not forget to treat the lofts by burning the eggs.
Disinfectants and desinfectatia do not get much results when there is a worm infection. To prevent that you blow away the eggs, it is wise to spray the floors and seams wet first and use a torch or heat gun.
Worms can survive in cold and adverse weather conditions. By moist heat development they will spread much easier and the infection will grow much faster. There are various means to combat the roundworm infections. An old warning should be repeated here. Fenbendazole (Panacur) is a worm product which means dramatic feather abnormalities may indicate if it is applied during the moult. This, therefore, should be avoided. Another well-functioning worm products are based on Levamisole and Febantel. Personally I prefer an product based on Flubendazole. Individual treatment is preferred.
Avermectins are also used as a combination agent against both worms as ectoparasites. Usually, these on the basic of Ivermectin. These products are still working well. There are variants in which an additional substance is added so that the droplets be well absorbed by the skin. These typically work better than the drops which are also suitable for injection. Personally, I do not recommend using these drops on Avermectin basis during the racing season, because the impression is that the shape structure of the pigeons will be drastically disrupted.
The hair worm (Cappilaria obsignata)
Besides infections with Cappilaria obsignata is also reported infections Cappilaria caudinflata. This worm is only 18 mm long and is therefore not observed in the stool. He lives in the intestinal wall and is much more harmful than the roundworm. A pair of hair worms are already able to undermine the condition of a pigeon and the shape will be lost.
As with the roundworm, also the eggs of the hair worm undergo a maturation first, preferably in moist and warm environment. The eggs are easily recognizable by microscopic examination the presence of bipolar polar ice caps. Already the presence of small numbers of worms may cause (strong) emaciation of the pigeons, loss of condition, reduced fuzz and diarrhea. Therefore performance well be lost quickly.
When severe infection may take a long time after treatment before the pigeons are back on accumulated sufficient fitness and body mass. Top performances after a heavy worm infection, its not expected in short term. Cappilaria obsignata has a direct cycle. The worm is not particularly species specific. As chickens and pheasants can also serve as a source of contamination for the pigeon. Cappilaria caudinflata has no direct cycle. Since the earthworm acts as an intermediate host.
The hair worm eggs may be infectious after 8-10 days. That's faster than with roundworm eggs. The prepatent periode is shorter namely 21-28 days. This should be considered when giving the second worm treatment. After all, we would like to prevent the new worms, to produce eggs before we treat for the second time.
In general, the pigeons should not be treated against the worms in the moulting period and during the laying phase. Also, treatment of the pigeons during aces youngsters is undesirable.
Good Luck!
Peter Boskamp
