Successful therapeutic management of pigeon (Columba livia domestica)malaria with chloroquine

Abstract

Pigeons from two different flocks were presented to Teaching Veterinary Hospital of Institute, Ludhiana with the history of dullness, depression, decreased feed intake, twisting of neck, incordination, difficulty in maintaining balance and death. Physical examination of the affected birds revealed weakness, ruffled feather, lameness, dyspnea, lethargy and poor growth. Blood smear examination revealed presence of pigmented intraerythrocytic halter shaped gametocytes of Hemoproteus columbae. The birds were treated with Chloroquine and multivitamin. After 5 days of treatment mortality was stopped in the birds and remaining birds regain their appetite and became alert and active. During a follow up period of one month no recurrence of disease and any further mortality were observed in the pigeon flocks.