Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Goose with head tilt and hearing loss diagnosed by MRI and CT
By Delk, Katie W et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2014·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnostic imaging of peripheral vestibular disease in a Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 20-year-old Chinese goose was brought in because it had a severe tilt of its head to the left and was circling in that direction. The vet diagnosed peripheral vestibular disease, which was linked to an ear infection that had spread to the bone. They confirmed the diagnosis with imaging tests and found a ruptured eardrum, along with hearing loss in the affected ear. After surgery to remove the infected material and some long-term medication, the goose's head tilt improved, and its quality of life got better.
People also search for: goose head tilt treatment · ear infection in birds · vestibular disease in geese
Abstract
A 20-year-old Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) presented for severe left-sided head tilt and circling to the left. Peripheral vestibular disease associated with otitis media extending into the left quadrate bone was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Otoscopy confirmed a ruptured tympanic membrane, and a brainstem auditory evoked response test confirmed loss of hearing in the affected ear. Surgery to remove the caseous material and long-term medical therapy improved the bird's head tilt and quality of life. Otitis, hearing loss, and vestibular disease are rare in birds but can be managed after appropriate investigation. This is the first reported use of multiple advanced diagnostic tests and successful treatment of vestibular disease in a goose.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24881151/