1. Case 3- Two Rescued Rock Doves Kieley Hoppe Abi Hutcheson Kristi Kauppi Shelly Weaver

2. Rock Dove aka Rock Pigeon or Common Pigeon Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Aves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Genus: Columba Species: Columba livia

3. Natural Habitat Native to Europe, North Africa, and SW Asia, introduced worldwide. Nest in crevices along rocky seaside cliffs, in cities they use skyscrapers as nesting areas.

4. Rock Dove Highlights Males show more iridescence than females, but can vary dramatically in colors. Pairs are formed for life. If you enter a nesting pair’s territory they may peck you profusely on the head, some considered a nuisance. Eat mainly seeds. Are eaten by humans. Common predators are opossums, raccoons, and birds of prey. Not of special concern due to abundance worldwide.

5. Most common parasites found in Rock Dove Lice Mites Haemoproteus (Avian Malaria) Pseudolynchia canariensis (Pigeon Fly)

6. The Case: Symptoms Juvenille Rock Doves suddenly developed head tremor, incoordination, loss of balance, lethargy and torticollis (head tilt). Three weeks previously the birds had been given Ivermectin (to kill helminthes- ie roundworm). Both euthanized due to rapidly deteriorating conditions.

7. Sanitation The pen that the doves were housed in had previously been home to orphaned raccoons. Each raccoon had been dewormed within 24 hours of admission. A bleach solution along with pressurized steam was used to clean the pen between when the raccoons vacated and the doves arrived.

8. Diagnosis The first bird was tested for anything of interest histopathologically, viral, bacterial, as well as lead toxicity. All were negative. The second bird showed swelling and inflammation of the brain, with a single larvae shown on histological preparation. Larvae observed resembled typical roundworm. Roundworm larvae are resistant to disinfectants. Baylisascaris procyonis

9. Possible Question Even with prophylaxis against helminths and bleach sanitized pens, how were the birds still able to contract the parasite? What do you think???

10. References Roof, J. 2001. "Columba livia" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 21, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/acco unts/information/Columba_livia.html. Kazacos, K. R., Fitzgerald, S.D., and W. M. Reed. 1991. Baylisascaris procyonis as a Cause of Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis in Ratites. J. of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 22(4): 460- 465.