Treatment Approach of Oral Acute Toxicity in Domestic Pigeons by Spoiled Drinking Water Exposure to Insecticide Liquid (Phenylpyrazole), Fipronil

Fipronil, a broad-spectrum phenylpyrazole insecticide, is widely used in agriculture and pest control but poses toxicity risks to non-target avian species through environmental contamination, particularly via drinking water. Despite known neurotoxic effects in birds, data on domestic pigeons (Columba livia) and effective clinical interventions remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the acute oral toxicity profile of Fipronil-contaminated drinking water in domestic pigeons and evaluate treatment strategies to mitigate intoxication symptoms. Using the OECD Avian Acute Oral Toxicity Test protocol, 48 pigeons were orally exposed to 11.3 mg/kg Fipronil via drinking water. Clinical signs were monitored over 14 days. Therapeutic interventions included oral glucose saline, intravenous glycopyrrolate, and intranasal midazolam. Tissue residues of Fipronil and its sulfone metabolite were quantified in brain and liver samples. Statistical analyses were used to assess clinical progression, residue accumulation, and body weight changes. Exposed pigeons exhibited progressive neurological and gastrointestinal signs, including tremors, convulsions, diarrhea, and vomiting, with no mortality-significant accumulation of Fipronil residues in brain tissue correlated with symptom severity. Treatments effectively alleviated muscarinic and neurotoxic symptoms. Control pigeons remained unaffected. This study elucidates the acute toxicodynamics of Fipronil in domestic pigeons and demonstrates the efficacy of targeted symptomatic treatments, highlighting the environmental risk and need for standardized avian clinical protocols. These findings advance understanding of avian pesticide toxicity and support improved wildlife conservation strategies.