Derzy\u2019s disease<\/a> (fibrous material beneath the tongue)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nRule-outs for diarrhea in waterfowl include:<\/p>\n
\n- Fowl cholera<\/a><\/li>\n
- Avian tuberculosis<\/li>\n
- Colibacillosis<\/a> (ducks)<\/li>\n
- Enteritis, colitis caused by Salmonella<\/em> spp. (most common in young birds)<\/li>\n
- Intestinal coccidiosis (occasionally seen in young, wild or captive birds under crowded conditions)<\/li>\n
- Acanthocephalans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/a>
\n\n
\n\n\n\t| Box 4. Acanthocephalans<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
\n\n\t| More than 50 species of thorny-headed worms or Acanthocephalans have been reported in waterfowl. Thorny-headed worms use a hooked proboscis to attach to the intestinal tract setting off an intense inflammatory response. With heavy infestations, the resultant granulomatous, hemorrhagic enteritis leads to malnutrition, morbidity, and even death.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/p>\n The appearance of a waterfowl’s stool can sometimes provide a clue to the underlying cause of disease.<\/p>\n \n- Green or bile-stained watery droppings:\n
\n- Lead poisoning<\/a><\/li>\n
- New duck disease (P. anatipestifer<\/em>)<\/li>\n
- Avian chlamydiosis<\/a> (domestic ducklings and goslings; rare in the United States but serious outbreaks have been seen in Europe)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- White diarrhea can be due to Derzy’s disease<\/a><\/li>\n
- Profuse, occasionally bloody diarrhea, may be caused by duck plague<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It is possible for Newcastle disease virus<\/a> to cause watery diarrhea, but most ducks and geese are resistant to clinical disease unless exposed to a virulent strain. It has been theorized that some waterfowl develop chronic infection and may serve as a reservoir of disease.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Emaciation<\/h2>\nPotential causes of severe weight loss in waterfowl include:<\/p>\n \n- Heavy metal poisoning<\/a><\/li>\n
- Pesticide poisoning<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Oil toxicosis<\/li>\n
- Gastrointestinal foreign body ingestion<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Gastrointestinal parasites<\/strong>, such as the nematodes Echinuria uncinata<\/em> (common proventricular worm), Capillaria contorta<\/em>, which causes thickening and necrosis of the esophagus, and Amidostomum sp.<\/em> (ventricular worms)<\/li>\n
- Renal coccidiosis<\/strong><\/a> (young birds)<\/li>\n
- Aspergillosis<\/a> (young birds)<\/li>\n
- Avian tuberculosis<\/li>\n
- Colibacillosis<\/a> (ducks)<\/li>\n
- Avian chlamydiosis<\/a> (domestic ducklings and goslings; rare in the United States but serious outbreaks have been seen in Europe)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n Diseases of the juvenile bird<\/h2>\nImportant diseases of juvenile<\/a> waterfowl include angel wing<\/strong> and renal coccidiosis<\/strong> caused by Eimeria truncata<\/em> (Fig 2). Important viral diseases include duck virus hepatitis<\/a> (affecting ducklings less than 1-2 weeks of age) as well as Derzy’s disease<\/a> (goslings less than 4-6 weeks). Additional conditions may include yolk sacculitis or omphalitis caused by Gram-negative bacterial overgrowth (e.g. E. coli<\/em> or Salmonella<\/em> spp.), Actinobacillus<\/em> infection, and duck septicemia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n\n \n\n\n\t| Box 5. Renal Coccidiosis<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n | \n\n\tRenal coccidiosis caused by Eimeria truncata<\/em> is a serious disease in domestic ducks and geese. Infection is subclinical in adult birds, but can cause heavy mortality in ducklings and goslings. Flocks housed in crowded surroundings with poor sanitation are at increased risk.
\n
\nPale, swollen kidneys with multifocal white lesions may be found at necropsy. Oocysts can be identified on renal impression smears and on histopathologic exam.
\n
\nSulfonamides are the treatment of choice. Control and prevention relies upon strict sanitation and disinfection. It is also helpful to house juvenile birds separate from adults.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/p>\n<\/a>
\n\n \n\n\n\t| Box 6. Angel Wing<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n | \n\n\tAngel wing is a conformational abnormality of the wing known by many terms including \u201cairplane wing\u201d and \u201coar wing\u201d. Angel wing is classically seen in large, juvenile waterfowl as the weight of the growing flight feathers causes the weak muscles of the carpus to rotate the wing outward at the level of the carpus (Fig 2).
\n
\nKnown underlying causes include:
\n
\n- Overfeeding excess energy<\/li>
\n - Heredity<\/li>
\n - Malnutrition such as deficiencies in manganese, vitamin D3, and vitamin E <\/li>
\n<\/ul>
\nThe incidence of angel wing decreases when young, growing birds are allowed to swim and dive. The normal waterfowl is in the water as it goes through a molt, which prevents wing dragging from being an important issue.
\n
\nEarly treatment of angel wing relies either upon encouraging the bird to swim or bandaging that elevates the wingtip enough to make the bird more comfortable and allow normal feather growth. Tape the wing to itself, and not to the body, for 3 to 5 days.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/p>\n
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![\"Female](\"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/wp-content\/uploads\/rouen-duck.jpg\")
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