Veterinarian test TriColi-STOP™

THE EFFECT OF AN ORGANIC ACID COMPOUND ON INFECTION OF THE CROP WITH TRICHOMONAS GALLINAE IN RACING PIGEONS

REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF ONE CAPSULE – SLIGHTLY MODFIFIED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY REASONS.

Identification of the Test Facility and Investigator(s) for bacteriological examinations:

Test Facility: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University (UG) Dept. of Pathology, Bacteriology, Avian Diseases – Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology. Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium

SUMMARY OF:

1st study_February 2013: Active ingredient 90mg/capsule + maizennameal as filler 2nd study May 2012: Active ingredient 90mg/capsule + Ca/Mg citrates as filler

1 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDIES

The objective of the studies was to determine the influence of an orally administrated organic acid compound to racing pigeons naturally infected with Trichomonas gallinae.

2 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Ten adult racing pigeons, naturally infected with T. gallinae, were at random assigned to 2 groups of 5 birds each. Prior to tablet administration a swab was taken from the crop of each bird for quantitative assessment of the presence of both agents. Immediately after collection of the swabs, a single capsule (containing 90 mg of the active ingredient) was administrated to each bird of the first group and the second group served as a positive control group. After administering the capsule, the pigeons were deprived from water for three hours. In all birds from both groups swabs were collected at 3 and 24 hours after tablet administration.

The experiments were performed twice, both with same active ingredient (90 mg), but different fillers.
First experiments (Feb 2013): Filler Maizennameal
Second experiments (May 2013): Filler Ca/Mg citrates

3 MATERIAL AND METHODS 3.1 Experimental animals

Adult, commercial, racing pigeons (Columba livia), mixed in gender, were purchased from Natural (Sint-Antonius Zoersel, Belgium). Swabs taken from the crop were collected from each pigeon prior to tablet administration, to examine the presence of T. gallinae . Twenty pigeons that tested positive for both latter agents were used in this study. The pigeons were housed individually and received feed and water ad libitum. The light schedule was 12 hours of light / 12 hours of darkness.

3.2 Sample preparation and examination

To check for presence of T.gallinae , the cotton buds of the swabs taken from the crop were inserted into a sterile tip and submerged into a microtube containing 100 μl of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Next, the microtubes were centrifuged during 2 seconds at 800 rpm. To assess the number of trichomonads, 20 μl of the test suspension was transferred to a Bürkerse counting chamber.

3.5 Product characteristics

Organic acids from Pigeon Vitality. Product I tested February 2013 contains maizennameal , Product II tested May 2013 contained Calsium- and Magnesium citrates as filler.

4.1.1

RESULTS
Assessment of Trichomonas gallinae infection of the crop

Semi-quantitative and quantitative scoring

Results of the quantitative (presented as the number of trichomonads per 100 μl) and semi- quantitative scoring of the number of trichomonads present in crop swabs collected from 5 naturally infected pigeons following oral administration of an organic acid compound, after 3 hours and every 12 hours, are presented in Table 1a,b (with maizenna fillers) and 2a,b (with Ca:Mg citrates as fillers. Each pigeon was sampled prior to the first administration (A), 3 hours after the first administration (B), 12 hours after the administration (C) .

No regurgitation of the administrated capsule was observed with the product I (with maizennameal), while one pigeon regurgitated after capsule no. 2 with product II (with Mg:Ca- citrates)

4.1.2

Quantitative analysis

Table 1a Quantitative analysis product I (with maizennameal as filler) 99.9% reduction in average after 12 hours

CONCLUSION (relevant part)

……..based on these findings, the administration of a single capsule of the organic acid compound results in notable reduction of the number of trichomonads. For this reason, multiple dosing of the compound may be presumed redundant and a single administration may be a valuable alternative for the currently available treatments against Trichomonas infections in racing pigeons.

In conclusion, the use of this organic acid compound can be a valuable alternative for currently available treat

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS from PIGEON VITALITY
One capsule significantly reduces the amount of trichomonas , > 99% in average no matter what the filler is. Thus is may be a valuable alternative to using anti-canker medicine 1-2 days in the racing season, as there will be no developement of medicine resistance.

The TriColi STOP on the market at present is the one with Calsium and Magnesium citrates, as most racing pigeons do get too little intake of calsium and magnesium during the racing season.

Field experience so far: The administration of TriColi STOP should be give on the day of return from race, in the evening after the pigeons are fed, to reduce the frequncy of mild vomiting.