Plasmodiosis on Rhyticeros Cassidix

Abstract

The research objective was to determine the symptoms of plasmodiosis in Sulawesi hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix), the form of Plasmodium sp. in the blood and how to treat that can be done by a veterinarian. Plasmodiosis is a disease caused by blood parasite infection. The Sulawesi hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix) observed came from a zoo in Makassar. Clinical symptoms that appear in infected birds are weakness, lethargy, dyspnoe, anemia, abdominal distension, occular hemorrhage, and death. Plasmodium infection in red blood cells causes blood pH to drop so that the binding of oxygen by hemoglobin drops. This causes the birds to experience a lack of oxygen supply (anoxia). A blood sample is needed to diagnose plasmodiosis through microscopic examination. Poultry blood was taken from the Brachial vein on the wing. The blood is then put into a tube containing EDTA or apendorf and sent to the laboratory in a cooler box. Treatment is carried out by injecting 0.25 ml of medoxyLA (oxytetracycline), giving orally 2 ml of metronidazole and providing a supportive, namely vitamin Bcomplex 0.5 ml. All treatments are given once a day for 5 days.