Studying of neurotoxic effects of ivermectin on domestic pigeons

This study aimed to cover a part of neurotoxic effects of Ivermectin on domestic pigeons, for this purpose the up and down method were utilized to determine the intramuscular median lethal dose of Ivermectin in pigeons, functionally observed markers were used to illustrate the behavioural changes that caused by Ivermectin to each injected pigeon in addition to motor behavioural reflexes. The results of 24 hours intramuscular median lethal dose was 84.4 mg/kg, about 4-8 hours were needed to appearance of toxicosis, signs were ataxia, unilateral laying against the surface, slight to total mobility impairment, mild disturbance in muscular tone ranged from hypotonia to atonia, with passive resistance to catch, on the other hand there was absence in all examined reflexes (click, palpebral and righting). In conclusion, Ivermectin has moderate neurotoxic effect on domestic pigeons; it exhibits inhibitory central and peripheral impacts via dual Gabaergic and Glycinergic neural pathways.