Gizzard Impaction in Lesser Rhea Chicks (Pterocnemia pennata) Raised on Farms in Patagonia, Argentina

Impaction of the gizzard was diagnosed in 33 1-to-4-wk-old lesser rhea (Pterocnemia pennata) raised on farms in Patagonia, Argentina. The birds showed anorexia, lethargy, constipation, dehydration, weight loss, and weakness. Necropsy revealed gizzard impaction by fibrous material, sand, rocks, and r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Avian diseases 2001-01, Vol.45 (1), p.240-244
Main Authors: Reissig, Elizabeth Chang, Robles, Carlos A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Alfalfa
Animal Husbandry
Animals
Anorexia - complications
Anorexia - veterinary
Argentina
Bird Diseases - pathology
Birds
Case Reports
Chicks
Constipation - complications
Constipation - veterinary
Gizzard
Gizzard, Avian - pathology
Ostriches
Ratites
Rheas
Rheiformes
Sand
Sleep Stages
Stomach Diseases - pathology
Stomach Diseases - veterinary
Weight Loss
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Summary:Impaction of the gizzard was diagnosed in 33 1-to-4-wk-old lesser rhea (Pterocnemia pennata) raised on farms in Patagonia, Argentina. The birds showed anorexia, lethargy, constipation, dehydration, weight loss, and weakness. Necropsy revealed gizzard impaction by fibrous material, sand, rocks, and rubbish. Also, excess fibrous material was observed in the small intestine, and intussusception was found in one chick. Impaction of the gizzard observed in the present study was similar to that reported in other ratite species and confirmed that this disease can affect lesser rhea chicks raised in captivity. This disease affected 33 out of 41 (80%) dead lesser rhea chicks submitted to the Animal Health Unit of The National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Bariloche, Argentina, during the study period, so it can be a significant cause of mortality in farmed rheas in Argentina. /// Se diagnosticó impactación de la molleja en 33 pichones de choique ó ñandú petiso patagónico (Pterocnemia pennata) de 1 a 4 semanas de edad, criados en granjas de la Patagonia, Argentina. Las aves presentaron anorexia, letargo, constipación, deshidratación, pérdida de peso y debilitamiento. A la necropsia se observó impactación de la molleja por material fibroso, arena, piedras y desperdicios. También se observó un exceso de material fibroso en el intestino delgado y se encontró una intususcepción en un ave. La impactación de la molleja observada en el presente estudio fue similar a la reportada en otras especies de rátidos y confirma que esta enfermedad puede afectar pichones de choiques cuando son criados en cautiverio. Esta enfermedad afectó 33 de 41 (80%) pichones muertos enviados a la Unidad de Salud Animal del INTA en Bariloche, Argentina. Este estudio sugiere que la impactación de la molleja puede ser una causa importante de la mortalidad en granjas de choiques en Argentina.
ISSN:0005-2086
1938-4351
DOI:10.2307/1593035