Avian trichomonosis with special reference to pigeon

Abstract

Canker, the avian trichomonosis is a protozoan disease caused by Trichomonas gallinae, occurs in pigeon especially affecting the upper digestive tract, mainly the crop and esophagus. The significant clinical manifestations of the disease are caseous accumulation in the throat and loss of body weight with high morbidity and low to high mortality depending upon the variable pathogenicity of the organisms. Transmission is via oral secretions in feed and water, and crop milk. The epidemiology of the disease depends on transmission way of etiological agents, immune status of the birds, age of the birds, managements of the pigeons. Hence, the infections are more in young as compare to adults and more prevalent among domestic pigeons than wild doves. The history, post-mortem findings, microscopic examination of mucous or fluid from throat, molecular technique and culture technique can be applied for diagnosis of the disease. The effective treatment and proper managemental practice helps in prevention of the disease.