Comparison of Toltrazuril and Sulfadiazine Efficacy in Canaries (Serinus canarius) Affected by Isospora Intestinal Infection

Isospora is a common intestinal parasite in ornamental birds, especially passeriformes. Isospora infection can induce enteritis and reduce digestibility and nutrient adsorption. In this study, a comparison was made between the efficiency of toltrazuril and sulfadiazine on reducing Isospora oocyte shedding in infected canaries. To this purpose, a total of 165 infected canaries in 48 cages were divided into 3 groups, including control group, infected and treated with toltrazuril group, and infected and treated with sulfadiazine group. The mean oocyte shedding in groups was compared statistically before and after treatment. Results showed there is no significant difference in the rate of Isospora oocyte shedding between canaries treated with toltrazuril and those treated with sulfadiazine. Therefore, in the current conditions of Iran, toltrazuril and sulfadiazine seem to be equally effective in controlling Isospora infection in canary.