Pigeon rearing is comparatively easy and profitable when compared to rearing of otherexotic birds such as canaries and parrots. As the bird population is on the rise, there is a steadyupsurge in the occurrence of diseases too. Parasitic infestation among pigeons can be mild tofatal and thus a major cause of concern. A study was conducted to find out the occurrence ofgastrointestinal parasites among pigeons in Kerala. Out of 91 pigeons tested, 79were foundpositive for ova of gastrointestinal parasites with a prevalence of 86.8 per cent.Ascaridia spp.(59.3per cent) and Capillaria spp.(19.7 per cent) were the most common nematodes observed.Oocysts of Eimeria spp. was observed in 39.5 per cent of pigeons screened. Mixed infections were also noticed in 35.1 per cent of birds. This study depicts a very high occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites among pigeons of Kerala which in turn requires intervening measures to reduce the incidence.

Anaplasmosis is a fatal infectious disease affecting small ruminants all over the world. Haematological analysis and therapeutic evaluation of anaplasmosis were done in clinically affected goats from Thrissur district, Kerala in this study. A total of 100 blood samples from clinically affected goats were collected and microscopically examined using Field’s staining technique for anaplasmosis which revealed 50 per cent positivity. Infected goats showed significant (p <0.05) decrease in their haematological variables like haemoglobin, MCH and platelets, compared to healthy animals. The effectiveness of long-acting oxytetracycline, long-acting enrofloxacin, and imidocarb dipropionate in treating anaplasmosis was 100%, 62.5%, and 50%, respectively. Long acting oxytetracycline was the most effective drug of choice for treating the disease.

Dermatophytosis is one of the most common skin diseases that affect dogs. Geographic factors like temperature and humidity play an important role in determining prevalence of dermatophytosis. The aim of this study was to determine the macroscopic and microscopic identification of different types of dermatophytes from the dogs presented to University Veterinary Hospital, Kokkali and Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Mannuthy. Skin scrapings and hair were collected from the dogs presented with complaint of alopecia and pruritus. Each sample was cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). The cultures were incubated at room temperature for maximum of four weeks. The isolates of fungi were examined macroscopically and microscopically.Lactophenol cotton blue staining technique was used for fungi morphology identification. The most common type of dermatophytes affecting dogs in Thrissur district, Kerala were Trichophyton spp.(68 per cent), Microsporum spp. (32 per cent) and other non-dermatophytes fungi viz. Aspergillusspp., Sporothrix spp., and curvularia spp. This study could assist investigators for understanding the prevalence of the dermatophytes and in zoonotic aspects.