04/06/2025
SOME COMMON WORM INFECTION IN BIRDS
All birds are naturally subject to infection by parasitic worms or Helminths. The majority of Helminths infect the digestive tract but some are also found in other organs, such as the brain, trachea and eye.
Not all Helminth infections cause obvious clinical disease. The roundworms (or nematodes) and the flatworms (including cestodes and trematodes) are the two major classes of Helminth.
Helminths or worms are one of a series of parasites that use birds as hosts and the relationship is usually detrimental to the bird. They are divided into three different types, namely Nematodes (roundworms), Cestodes (tapeworms) and Trematodes (slugs).
In the case of roundworms, the adult worm is found in the bird, it reproduces by means of eggs that are excreted in the bird's f***s, larvae develop within the egg which are then ingested by the bird through the mouth.
With tapeworms and slugs, the egg is ingested by an intermediate host e.g. insects, worms etc., the larva develops within the intermediate host, the bird eats the intermediate host and the parasite then develops within the bird to its adult stage.
Different worms are found specifically in certain organs and certain bird species are more prone to certain worm types as well.
Adult tapeworms and spiny-headed worms are largely confined to the small intestine; adult flukes are found in the intestinal tract, liver, blood vessels, kidneys, air sacs, oviduct and eyes; while adult roundworms are found in the crop, pro-ventriculus, ventriculus, intestines and eyes.
Common worms infection in bird species:
Trematodes:
Not very common but are sometimes seen in wild-caught birds. Liver fluke is sometimes found in cockatoos. Treatment with fenbendazole + praziquantel has limited results.
Cestodes:
Species such as African Grey, Cockatoo, Eclectus and finches are more prone to tapeworm infections, this can be attributed to eating habits that give greater exposure to intermediate hosts. The tapeworms feed on the bird's blood and cause symptoms such as anemia, weakness and diarrhea. Severe infestations can lead to intestinal obstruction. Treatment is with praziquantel, control of intermediate hosts is also important in the control program.
Nematodes: Ascarids (Roundworms): More common in birds with access to soil, wild birds, pigeons and poultry can sometimes also be a source of infection. It takes 2-3 weeks for larvae to develop inside the egg, the egg is very resistant to disinfectants and can survive for a long time in the environment in cool, moist conditions. Eggs are sensitive to steam and flames. Typical symptoms are weight loss, emaciation, poor growth and diarrhea. In severe cases even intestinal intussusception. Piperazine, pyrantal pamoate, fenbendazole, levamisole and iver/dora-mectin are effective treatments. Capillaria sp.:
Thin, hairy roundworms of the intestinal tract, adult worms bore into the wall of the esophagus, stomach and intestines. Macaws, budgies, canaries and pigeons are particularly susceptible.
Some common parasetic infection species wise
African Greys - Tapeworm
Australian Parakeets - Pro-ventriculus worms and roundworms
Cockaties - Roundworms (Ascarids)
Cockatoos - Tapeworms, Liver fluke
Finches - Tapeworm
Lorikeets - Roundworms
Macaws - Roundworms (Ascarids
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