Effects of Ivermectin and Albendazole on Gastrointestinal Tract Nematode parasites of Domestic Pigeon (Columba Livia) in Faisalabad

Abstract

Gastrointestinal nematode infections are a major health constraint in domestic pigeons (Columba livia), reducing their productivity and overall well-being. This study was evaluated the comparative anthelmintic efficacy of ivermectin and albendazole, administered individually and in combination, against naturally occurring gastrointestinal nematodes parasite in domestic pigeons from Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 140 pigeons (80 males and 60 females) were selected for this study. These infected bird were observed using standard fecal flotation and microscopic techniques to determine the prevalence of nematode infections. Total, 74.4% of the birds were infected, with infection rates of 73.75% in males and 75.0% in females. The predominant parasites were detected Capillaria spp. and Ascaridia columbae, whereas no eggs of Dispharynx spp. were identified in the examined fecal samples. We were randomly allocated 104 infected birds and its divided into four equal groups (A, B, C, and D), each group has 26 birds in this experiment for further process. Group A received ivermectin (0.1 mL/kg body weight), Group B received albendazole (1 mL/3 kg body weight), Group C received a combination of both drugs at the same dosages, and Group D remained untreated as the control. The treatments were administered for three consecutive days. Fecal samples were collected before treatment and on days 0, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 30 after treatment. Anthelmintic efficacy was assessed using the McMaster egg counting technique. Both ivermectin and albendazole significantly reduced fecal egg counts compared with the untreated control (P < 0.05). Ivermectin achieved a higher mean efficacy (90.37%) than albendazole (87.97%), while the combined treatment produced the greatest reduction in parasite burden, with an efficacy of 93.43% (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that ivermectin is more effective than albendazole when used alone, whereas combined therapy provides the highest level of control against gastrointestinal nematode parasites in domestic pigeons. The results support the strategic use of combined anthelmintic treatment to improve parasite management in pigeon production systems.