| Bill impaction in a group of captive Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber). | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 17939357 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
Flamingos are filter feeders that only rarely ingest larger food items. Their bill anatomy is adapted to the suction, filtration, and ejection of a fluid medium. This case report documents a rare case of bill impaction in a group of Caribbean flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) that were kept in a mixed exhibit together with roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) and scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber). The latter species received fatty minced meat as part of their diet, which was also accessible to the flamingos. Weakness and poor body condition of one flamingo were noted. On clinical examination, the animal was emaciated, hypoglycemic, and showed a severe impaction of the bill with a mixture of lard, mud, and sand. This mixture had compressed the tongue and eventually had most likely prevented further food intake. In five additional flamingos, a bulging of the gular area, similar to the extension of this area during the tongue-retraction stage of the feeding cycle, was noted and interpreted as a sign of tongue displacement by similar masses in their bills. All animals were caught and the masses removed. All animals resumed food intake immediately, and the emaciated animal rapidly improved in condition. Food presentation was changed so that the trays for the other species were no longer accessible to the flamingos, and no similar problems have been observed since that time. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Sven Hammer; Simon Jensen; Raffy Borjal; Marcus Clauss |
Related Documents
:
|
701787 - Myxomatosis in the mallee region of victoria, australia. 6826477 - Critical issues facing animal scientists. 12142957 - Modulation of the immune system and the response against pathogens with bovine colostru... 19851507 - Molecular and sensory basis of a food related two-state behavior in c. elegans. 23701867 - Characterizing lunch meals served and consumed by pre-school children in head start. 22575707 - Differences in dietary quality and adequacy by smoking status among a canadian aborigin... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Case Reports; Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians Volume: 38 ISSN: 1042-7260 ISO Abbreviation: J. Zoo Wildl. Med. Publication Date: 2007 Sep |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2007-10-17 Completed Date: 2007-12-03 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 8915208 Medline TA: J Zoo Wildl Med Country: United States |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 465-70 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Sheik Saoud Bin Mohd. Bin Ali Al Thani, P.O. Box 44069, Al Wabra, Doha, State of Qatar. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Animal Feed
/
adverse effects* Animals Animals, Zoo Beak / pathology Bird Diseases / etiology* Birds Female |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Ibex-associated malignant catarrhal fever in a bongo antelope (Tragelaphus euryceros).
Next Document: Profiles of a pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica-like variant with variations in the nucleotide sequen...