Management of a Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in an American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber)

A 32-year-old female American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) was presented with a squamous cell carcinoma of the middle digit of the right foot. No clinical, hematologic, or radiologic evidence of metastasis was present. Salvage amputation of the digit resulted in complete cure, whereas previous electrosurgery and radiation therapy were unsuccessful. Three years later, another squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in the middle digit of the left foot. The digit was also amputated. Seven months after the second amputation, the bird did not have any recurrence or signs of metastasis

House finch-associated Mycoplasma gallisepticum responsible for epizootic conjunctivitis in passerines

In 1994, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) was reported to be responsible for conjunctivitis outbreak in the North American house finch population. This new course of MG infection in passerine was the result of spillover infections from the poultry strains. In severe cases of the disease, the conjunctival lesions might cause blindness and death, but in the mild form, there is a chance of recovery. The immune system of the recovered birds develops a resistance to the previous strains. However, the incomplete immune responses and the ability of MG to rapidly alter its surface antigens allow the pathogen to evolve new strains that can infect the birds that have already developed immune resistance. Although the rate of mortality decreases as a result of developing resistance, the persistence of the disease continues due to the increase in both virulence and the replication rate of the new strains. Therefore, the morbidity rate has remained steady, and new species of birds become infected as a result of evolutionary adaptation of the new strains. In this regard, the objective of this study is to provide a review of the mycoplasma conjunctivitis in passerine species, notably by looking at it from the host-pathogen interaction point of view

Bird O’rama

The most visible animals on earth are birds. Flying adaptations in birds garner much attention in the field of science and art. The mechanics of flying, the fluidity of its flight pattern,the accuracy of landings, the arrangement of its different types of feathers, the trans-boundary nature in which they travel across continents and oceans; have been subjects of intellectual discourse over the years by both scientists and artists

Occurrence of campylobacter and Salmonella Spp. in ostrich.

Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. are important pathogens in veterinary medicine and public health. In Malaysia, there has been limited research done in ostriches due to the small-scale farming and small number of animals. Nevertheless, ostrich farming has a huge potential. Some of the disease agents affecting ostriches, such as Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. can also cause disease in humans. As such, infected ostrich may serve as potential public health risk. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in ostrich and this is the first report documenting the occurrence of these two bacteria in ostrich in Malaysia.Samples were collected from three ostrich show farms, with 8 ostriches from Farm A, 11 from Farm B and 12 from farm C. Samples from the cloaca and skin swabs were obtained from each of the ostrich and examined for Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. All samples were cultured for Campylobacter spp. via direct plating on CCDA. One out of 62 samples (1.6%) was positive for Campylobacter spp. and it was isolated from the cloacal swab. Pre-enrichment, enrichment and direct plating on XLT4 and Salmonella Chromogenic agar were done for isolation of Salmonella spp. from the ostriches. Two samples, one from the skin swab and another one from the cloacal swab, from two different birds were positive for Salmonella spp. The study showed the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in ostriches. The ostrich is of public health significance as they are used in recreational activities and for human consumption

Occurrence of antibiotic resistant Salmonella and Campylobacter in wild birds

Salmonella and Campylobacter are well recognised as important zoonotic foodborne pathogens. This study was undertaken to detect the occurrence of Salmonella and Campylobacter in a population of wild birds and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates. A total of 68 fresh faecal samples were collected from wild birds in four areas (Bangi, Kepong, and two areas in Serdang). One (1.47%) faecal sample was positive for Salmonella spp. from a pigeon in Kepong and the isolate was resistant to erythromycin and tetracycline. Six (8.82%) faecal samples were positive for Campylobacter spp, three (50%) were from pigeons in Serdang and another three (50%) were pigeons from Kepong. All isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni and were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (100%), followed by cefotaxime (83.3%), tetracycline (33.3%) and ampicillin (16.7%). The presence of antibiotic resistant Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. in wild birds poses a public health risk because they may transmit these antibiotic resistant pathogens to farm animals and spread them in the environmen

Detection of Campylobacter and Salmonella in ostrich

Three ostrich show farms were visited to detect the presence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in the birds. Cloacal and skin swabs were taken from 31 ostriches which were clinically healthy. Campylobacter was isolated from one (1.6%) cloacal swab and Salmonella from two (3.2%) samples, a skin and a cloacal swabs; all were from different birds. Although the detection of the organisms was low, it could pose public health risk partly because of contact with the birds and the organisms in the faeces may contaminate the environment and it could be that they may be present in other birds but were not shed at the time of sampling

Management of distal tarsometatarsal fracfure in a Hill Mynah (Gracula religiosa) by using external coaptation technique

An adult Hill Mynah (Gracula religiosa) was presented with non weight-bearing lameness on the left leg. A distal transverse fracture of the left tarsometatarsus was diagnosed by using radiography techniques. A combination of external coaptation using tape splint and ball bandage was applied. It was found that this combination technique resulted in a clinical union of the fractured site at three weeks post-treatment. This technique also provided perching and movement stability in the cage. The success of this combination technique offers another alternative for external coaptation in avian species

Avian polyomavirus: a recent update

Avian polyomavirus disease is among the most common viral diseases of domesticated exotic birds as such in psittacine families. Caused by avian polyomavirus (APV) which possess a circular, double-stranded DNA which encodes for major structural virus protein 1 (VP1) and minor structural proteins VP2, VP3 and VP4, the disease is also known as Budgerigar fledgling disease polyomavirus (BFPyV), Papovavirus, and Psittacine polyomavirus. Infections from APV may lead to cutaneous haemorrhage, abdominal distension, feather abnormalities and even death. The APV virus has a broad avian host range and is known to cause acute chronic disease in several psittacine birds such as parrot, cockatoo, macaw, and budgerigar. The current status of APV epidemiology globally has not been fully recorded. Only the studies of the virus and disease caused within several countries are used as references, and few were done together with detection of beak and feather disease virus. Despite the common occurrence of APV among bird breeders in Malaysia, a very limited study has been done to evaluate the prevalence status of APV in Malaysia. In this review, we wish to disseminate knowledge, particularly to pet owners and bird breeders, on APV characterisations, its updated occurrence worldwide and prevention strategies. This information may be useful to trigger in depth study on the epidemiology of disease and better management practises among breeders

Comparison of the breeding performance of the barn owl Tyto alba javanica under chemical and bio-based rodenticide baiting in immature oil palms in Malaysia

The breeding performance of barn owl, Tyto alba javanica, in areas treated with rodenticides in immature oil palms in Malaysia was investigated. Four plots were established, each at least 100 ha in size and treated with warfarin, brodifacoum, a biorodenticide (Sarcocystis singaporensis) and a non-baited control plot. Three rat baiting campaigns, which coincided with the barn owl breeding season, were carried out in October 2008, February and March 2009, and in October 2009. The nest boxes were distributed at a mean density of one unit per 25 ± 3.83 ha. The clutch size, hatching and fledging rates of barn owls in each plot was monitored monthly from September 2008 to January 2010. There was no significant difference in mean clutch size for all four treatments. The lowest percentage of hatching success was recorded in the brodifacoum-treated plot in all three breeding seasons. Fledging success was highest in the control plot, followed by the S. singaporensis-, warfarin- and brodifacoum-treated plots. The mean clutch size and mean hatching success was not significantly correlated with mean rat damage (clutch size, r = 0.754, p > 0.05; mean hatching success, r = 0.832; p > 0.05). The mean fledging success was significantly correlated with mean rat damage (r = 0.969; p < 0.05). Brodifacoum achieved the lowest level of rat damage but not significantly lower than warfarin and S. singaporensis. This indicates that S. singaporensis is a better rodenticide than warfarin and brodifacoum in controlling rats and yet achieved the highest reproductive rates in the baited areas as reflected by the rate of fledging success

Growth performance of nestling barn owls, Tyto Alba javanica in rat baiting area in Malaysia.

The growth of nestling barn owls, Tyto Alba javanica in immature oil palm in Malaysia was investigated under rat baiting with three different rodenticides. Four treatment plots were established with three plots baited each with warfarin, brodifacoum and a protozoan based biorodenticide, Sarcocystis singaporensis plus a fourth non-baited control plot. Three rat baiting campaign were carried out during the study, the first rat baiting campaign was conducted in October 2008, the second was in March 2009 (except for biorodenticide baiting was conducted a month earlier), and the last third baiting campaign in October 2009. The baiting campaigns coincided with the breeding season of barn owl. Nestlings body measurements namely: body mass, culmen length, tarsus length, wing length and tail length were taken after the third baiting campaign, from September 2009 to January 2010. Measurements were recorded every three days from hatching up until 49 days old, i.e., several days before fledging. Nestlings in control plot showed superior for all parameter taken compared to rodenticides treated plots. Body mass of nestlings in control plot were heavier by 8.17%, 13.04%, and 6.88% compared to warfarin, brodifacoum and biorodenticide treated plots respectively. The culmen and tarsus length of nestling barn owls reached the adult size during the growth period; while culmen length in control plot was longer by 3.07%, 5.28%, and 1.41% compared to warfarin, brodifacoum and biorodenticide treated plots respectively. The tarsus length of nestlings in control plot was also longer by 2.40%, 3.08% and 3.36% compared to warfarin, brodifacoum and biorodenticide treated plots respectively. In contrast with culmen and tarsus length, wing and tail length still grew until day 49 i.e., several days before fledging. The wing and tail length in control plot was shorter by 15.77% and 13.73% compared to adult size. Teratogenic sign was shown by one nestling in brodifacoum treated plot, where its primary feathers were malformed rendering it flightless besides tail length that were very short if compared to nestlings in control plot. Wing and tail length in brodifacoum treated plot was shorter by 15.26% and 18.24%, respectively compared to control plot