Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fluke invasion causing hemorrhagic diarrhea and death in racing
By Ledwoń, Aleksandra et al.·Published in Avian diseases·2016·A Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Invasion of Flukes of the Echinostomatidae Family in Racing Pigeon ( Columba livia var. domestica) Lofts.
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
Two racing pigeons in Poland suddenly died after showing signs of severe diarrhea and other health issues. An autopsy revealed they were infested with flukes, a type of parasitic worm, which caused serious damage to their intestines and other organs. This type of fluke invasion is very rare in pigeons and was traced back to snails that the birds had eaten. Unfortunately, the mortality rate was around 70% in these cases, highlighting the seriousness of this condition.
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Abstract
Over 4 years, only two known cases of fluke invasions were diagnosed in racing pigeons ( Columba livia ) originating from different regions of Poland. In both cases, the invasion was characterized by a very high mortality (approximately 70%), and the source of the infestation was snails of the Lymnaeidae family eaten by pigeons. Fluke invasions in pigeons are extremely rare and to date have not been described in Poland. Therefore, the occurrence of the symptoms of hemorrhagic diarrhea and sudden deaths of either adult pigeons or nestlings were suspected to be associated with poisoning. Autopsy revealed an invasion of flukes causing hemorrhagic enteritis. Renal failure and spleen atrophy were also found in the birds. Using molecular biology techniques, infestation with the fluke Echinostoma revolutum was determined in the second case.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27309299/