SMALL-INTESTINAL CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS IN A YOUNG PIGEON

Small-intestinal cryptosporidiosis in a 10-day-old pet pigeon is descr ibed. Clinically, the pigeon was depressed and inactive, its feathers were ruffled, and had faecal material adhering to feathers around its vent. Gross lesions were seen only in the intestinal tract and consist ed of mild hyperaemic segments of small intestine distended with typic al green watery ingesta. Histologically, organisms of the Cryptosporid ium sp. were found in the villi of lower portions of the small intesti ne which were atrophic and misshapen. Spontaneously occurring intestin al cryptosporidiosis has not been previously reported in pigeons.