Trichomoniasis occurs worldwide in growing pigeons, doves, falcons (occasionally chickens and turkeys). It is a pear-shaped, flagellated protozoan- Trichomonas gallinae.
- Causes of Trichomoniasis >
- Effects of Trichomoniasis >
- Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis >
- Treatment & Control of Trichomoniasis >
Causes of Trichomoniasis
Growing, chickens, turkeys, pigeons (canker in squabs), doves and falcons (frounce) are susceptible to this chronic disease. Although not common in commercial poultry. The agent involved in the aetiology of this disease is Trichomonas gallinae, which is a pear-shaped protozoan containing four flagella.
Mode of transmission
It is transmitted by consumption of insects, contaminated feed or water and by wild birds. Crop milk can transmit that organism from adult pigeon and doves to young by regurgitation of semi-digested food during feeding.
Effects of Trichomoniasis
No specific signs occur, but include lowered feed consumption, spitting up of feed, high mortality, listless, ruffled feathers and emaciation.
A large crop filled with fluid, difficulty in swallowing, stretching of neck, drooling greenish to yellowish fluid. Diarrhoea (yellow and watery) and a drop in egg production can occur.
Postmortem lesions
Cone-shaped lesions in the upper digestive tract (mouth, oesophagus and crop, pharynx, liver) proventriculus can occur.
A build up of caseous material may partially or totally occlude (block) the lumen of the oesophagus.
Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis
The clinical signs and gross lesions (mouth cankers) are characteristic. Histopathologist will demonstrate trichomonads in the lesions.
The organism should be identified from a scraping for a definitive diagnosis. It simulates thrush, T-2 Toxin, Wet Pox, Vitamin A deficiency and Chilomastix gallinarum.
Treatment & Control of Trichomoniasis
Prevention
Eliminate the insect or wild bird carriers.
Treatment
Dimetridazole (0.05%), ipronidizole and nitrasone and effective treatments
