Study of the haematological and biochemical values and gastrointestinal and haemoparasites in racing pigeons ( Columba livia check for this species in other resources ) in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to determine the blood chemistry, and naturally occurring haemo and gastrointestinal parasites of rearing pigeons ( Columba livia check for this species in other resources ) in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The packed cell volume, white blood cell, red blood cell, mean cell volume, mean haemoglobin concentration and total bilirubin values of the female pigeons were significantly (p < 0.05) different from their male counterparts. All the other haematological and serum biochemical parameters measured were similar (p > 0.05) between the two groups. Out of 150 pigeons examined for prevalence of parasites, 70 (46.7%) of them were infected with gastro-intestinal parasites, of which 30 (42.9%) were males and 40 (57.1%) females. Four gastrointestinal parasites were identified, with Trichomonas check for this species in other resources sp. returning the highest prevalence of 42.8%, followed by Eimeria check for this species in other resources sp. (28.6%), while coccidian oocysts and Ascaridia check for this species in other resources sp. each gave the prevalence rate of 14.3%. Results of haemoparasitological examination of thin blood smears revealed haematozoa of two genera: Haemoproteus check for this species in other resources sp. and Plasmodium check for this species in other resources sp. The haemo-parasitological examination revealed that Haemoproteus sp. was more common, with the prevalence of 30 (75.0%) for males and 70 (87.5%) for females. Plasmodium sp. gave prevalences of 10 (25.0%) for both, male and female. Fecal cultures recorded high growth of bacterial organisms, of which the prevalence for Proteus check for this species in other resources sp. was 130 (86.7%), while Enterococcus check for this species in other resources sp. was 20 (13.3%). Overall, 40.0% of the pigeons had bacterial infections. It is concluded that there was high prevalence of gastrointestinal and haemoparasites in rearing pigeons in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. However, these parasites did not cause any observable clinical effects in the serum biochemical and haematological parameters of the pigeons. El estudio se realizó para determinar la química sanguínea y los parásitos sanguíneos y gastrointestinales que se encuentran naturalmente en palomas ( Columba livia check for this species in other resources ) criadas en Owerri, Estado de Imo, Nigeria. Los valores de hematocritos, glóbulos blancos, volumen promedio de células, concentración promedio de hemoglobina y