The present project was designed to study the prevalence of lice infestation in pigeons and to study the efficacy of Ivermectin against lice infestation in pigeons.
A total of 300 pigeons were examined to study the prevalence of lice infestation in domestic pigeons in different localities of Lahore (pigeon owners and aviaries) during the month of April, 2004. Out of 300 birds examined 271 birds revealed lice with an overall incidence of 90.33% of lice infestation.
Permanent mounts were prepared from specimens collected from different birds. On the basis of morphological characters and taxonomical features the specie of lice identified was Columbicola columbae (Slender Pigeon Louse).
The efficacy of Ivermectin was determined on the basis of reduced number of lice from the body of pigeons in group A, B and C, group D served as untreated infested control and group E served as healthy control group. Birds were examined on days zero, 3, 7 and 10 of the experiment. On day 10, efficacy of Ivermectin was 91.66%, 75% and 83.33% in group A, B and C respectively.
Haematological examinations were made to compare the blood picture of infested birds treated with Ivermectin , infested birds kept as control and healthy control birds. Blood parameters studied were: Haemoglobin Estimation and Differential Leukocytic Count. The results of haematological examination showed a significant increase in haemoglobin level of birds treated with Ivermectin, there was a significant decrease in differential leukocytic count of treated birds.
The values thus recorded were analyzed statistically using computer program MSTAT.
The present project was designed to study the prevalence of lice infestation in pigeons and to study the efficacy of Ivermectin against lice infestation in pigeons.
A total of 300 pigeons were examined to study the prevalence of lice infestation in domestic pigeons in different localities of Lahore (pigeon owners and aviaries) during the month of April, 2004. Out of 300 birds examined 271 birds revealed lice with an overall incidence of 90.33% of lice infestation.
Permanent mounts were prepared from specimens collected from different birds. On the basis of morphological characters and taxonomical features the specie of lice identified was Columbicola columbae (Slender Pigeon Louse).
The efficacy of Ivermectin was determined on the basis of reduced number of lice from the body of pigeons in group A, B and C, group D served as untreated infested control and group E served as healthy control group. Birds were examined on days zero, 3, 7 and 10 of the experiment. On day 10, efficacy of Ivermectin was 91.66%, 75% and 83.33% in group A, B and C respectively.
Haematological examinations were made to compare the blood picture of infested birds treated with Ivermectin , infested birds kept as control and healthy control birds. Blood parameters studied were: Haemoglobin Estimation and Differential Leukocytic Count. The results of haematological examination showed a significant increase in haemoglobin level of birds treated with Ivermectin, there was a significant decrease in differential leukocytic count of treated birds.
The values thus recorded were analyzed statistically using computer program MSTAT.