You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Animal Care Studies - Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, RichmondRoundworms – continuedSigns:• The complete life cycle of roundworms from the ingestion of eggs to the passingof further eggs from adult worms is six weeks.• If large numbers of adult worms are present, the intestine can become completelyobstructed.• Weight loss (due to the parasites absorbing nutrients from the intestinal tract)• Increased susceptibility to other diseases.• Loss of energy, depression or not eating.• Poor reproductive performance.• Excrete loose faeces with or without blood (diarrhoea).• Seed or whole worms in faeces.• Sudden death.Diagnosis:• Observation of birds and worms may be visible in faeces.• Faecal examination through faecal flotation tests.• Post mortem examination.Treatment:• Two main drugs used are levamisole (Nilverm, Avitrol) and fenbendazole(Panacur 2.5).• More effective as individual oral application administered using a crop/gavageneedle to ensure correct dosage is received.• Treatment has been successful orally administering levamisole at a rate of20mg/kg body weight and fenbendazole at 50mg/kg body weight.Prevention:• Design a regular effective worming program that is monitored.• Prevent the faeces of wild birds from entering enclosures.• Control any intermediate hosts such as insects.• Improve enclosure design by eliminating damp areas and having an easilymanaged floor area.• Ensure enclosure hygiene standards are maintained.• Quarantine and treat all new arrivals into a collection.Keith Naylor 28/3/2005 Version 3 53