Ocena zwalczania toltrazurilem (Baycox) inwazji Eimeria spp. u gołębi pocztowych

Summary Coccidiosis is a common disease in racing pigeons. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of toltrazuril in coccidiosis control in pigeons before and during the racing season. Bulk feces samples collected from 1140 birds were analyzed by the flotation method according to Flleborn with the use of Darlingis solution. Eimeria spp. oocysts were counted in five fields of vision, and their diameter was an indicator of invasion intensity. Coccidiosis was controlled with toltrazuril (Baycox) applied twice at three-day intervals, at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, with drinking water. The severity of coccidial infection was determined one day prior to treatment, and the efficacy of toltrazuril was assessed 2, 4 and 6 weeks after treatment and 3 days after each race. Eimeria spp. were detected in all feces samples collected from 4 pigeon lofts. Two weeks after the first administration of toltrazuril, only single oocysts were present in feces samples, while no oocysts were found during the next examination. Coccidia appeared again in the excreta of racing pigeons (group 2) after the second and third race, whereas in pigeons that stayed in the loft (group 1) reinvasion was noted after the fourth race of group 2 birds. The results of the study indicate that Baycox administered twice was highly effective in controlling Eimeria spp. invasion over a period of more than ten weeks.