OCCURRENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN PET BIRDS BELONGING TO PET SHOP AND RESIDENCES IN THAKURGAON

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites causes many problems in pet bird’s stomach and intestines, but also affects the normal functions of other organs that leads to poor health condition. The investigation was undertaken to study the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites that affect the pet birds in Thakurgaon, Bangladesh. Sample of droppings from 80 pet birds were collected from different companion birds- Pigeons (50 samples), Budgerigars (14 samples) and Javas (16 samples) that belong to various pet shops and private residences. The samples were examined for the evidence of gastrointestinal parasitism by direct smear, sedimentation and flotation techniques. The examination revealed the presence of gastrointestinal parasites Capillaria sp. (54%) and Eimeria sp. (42.86%). The study suggests the importance of proper management measures to prevent endoparasites in the birds.