Occurrence of some Parasites in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Parasitology Departement,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Zagazig University.

Abstract

Ostrich farming is a new field of livestock production in Egypt and still in its infancy stage in comparison to the poultry industry. Parasitism is considered as a potential health problem hindering the development of ostrich production resulting in economic losses. Feathers and fresh faecal samples were collected from 26 farmed ostriches and examined microscopically for external and internal parasites. Three species of ectoparasites ; Gabucinia bicaudata (3.85%) , Dermoglyphus pachycnemis (3.85%) , Struthiolipeurus struthionis (3.85%) and four species of internal ones; Strongylid egg " Libyostongylus sp. or Codiostomum sp." (3.85%) , Cryptosporidium sp. (15.38%) Eimeria sp. (3.85%) , Balantidium struthionis (7.69%) were recorded and identified. Dermoglyphus pachycnemis was reported for the first  time in farmed ostrich in Egypt.
 

Keywords