e intensidade de infecção por Ascaridia sp. em papagaios-verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva Linnaeus, 1758): dados obtidos de carcaças oriundas do CETAS-RJ

Abstract

Parasitic infections are some of the primary health problems found in wild birds that are kept in captivity. The legislation provides that animals that meet their demise in Centers of Triage of Wild Animals must be destined for use in teaching or scientific research, or must be cremated in case its use in scientific research is not possible. Previous research of necropsies with the purpose of teaching, performed in carcasses of true parrots, at the UFRRJ Animal Anatomy Laboratory UFRRJ, revealed the frequent presence of helminths in the gastrointestinal tract of true parrots. The objective of this study was to enumerate and identify the gastrointestinal parasites found in 25 species of true parrots (Amazona aestiva Linnaeus, 1758) and the morphometric aspect of the carcasses of the birds. The carcasses were donated by the Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres of Rio de Janeiro (CETAS-RJ), located in the municipality of Seropédica. The necropsies of the birds were carried out at the Laboratório de Anatomia Animal, located at the Veterinary Institute of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). Of the animals subjected to necropsy, 48% (12/25) were infected. In the intestines of one individual were found 172 parasites. The parasites found were identified by the department of parasite studies of the UFRRJ, being that in the 12 infected birds, 12/12 were found endoparasites of the genus Ascardia spp in the intestines. In one of the carcasses (1/12) were observed, in addition to parasites in the intestines, also two parasites in the ingluvies. The morphometry of the carcasses consisted of measurements of the beak, mandible and jaw, of tarsometatarsal joints of both legs, total height of the bird, height of the tail and of the wings. The height of the body was 8,10% bottom to the height described in the literature. According to the results obtained, it can be concluded that the carcasses of de Amazona aestiva analysed had a high level of parasite infection. Control measures were instituted, such as cleaning of the facilities, quarantine of birds new to the roster and medication in preventative purpose. It is necessary to identify the parasite, to understand its biological cycle, in addition to the parasite-host relationship, for the completion of treatment and effective control.