Davaineosis

a helminthic disease of chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, and other gallinaceous birds, caused by cestodes of the genus Davainea, which parasitize in the duodenum.

Davaineosis is found throughout the world. Davaineas are small cestodes (length, 0.5–10 mm) that develop through an intermediate host—terrestrial mollusks (principally slugs). The fowl are injected by eating the slugs; the mucous membrane of the intestine becomes inflamed and digestion is upset in the affected bird. Kamala is prescribed in treatment. For prevention of the disease, young birds are raised separately from the adults on dry ranges, which are alternated periodically, cleared of litter and shrubs, and replowed.