Health status of free-living pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in the city of Ljubljana

Dovč, Alenka and Zorman-Rojs, Olga and Vergles Rataj, Aleksandra and Bole-Hribovšek, Vojka and Krapež, U. and Dobeic, M. (2004) Health status of free-living pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in the city of Ljubljana. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 52 (2). pp. 219-226. ISSN 0236-6290

Text avet.52.2004.2.10.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only until 30 April 2024. Download (153kB)

Abstract

In the year 2000 an epidemiological research was undertaken on the health status of free-living pigeons in the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia. A total of 139 pigeons were captured and examined for the most common bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases. Serum samples, oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs as well as samples of droppings and feathers were taken from the captured birds. Antibodies to paramyxovirus type 1 were found in 84.2% of the sera examined, and 23.7% of birds were serologically positive to Chlamydophila psittaci. Antibodies to avian influenza virus were not detected. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 5.7% of the cloacal swabs. Trichomonas gallinae was clinically suspected and then microscopically confirmed using oropharyngeal swabs in 7.9% of examined birds. Eimeria spp. was identified in 71.9%, Capillaria sp. in 26.6% and Ascaridia columbae in 4.3% of droppings samples examined. Of the ectoparasites, Columbicola columbae and Campanulotesbidentatus compar were found.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item