Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Toco toucan with heart infection from plant foreign body
By Máinez, Mireia et al.·Published in Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·2016·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: TRAUMATIC (FOREIGN BODY) PERICARDITIS IN A TOCO TOUCAN (RAMPHASTOS TOCO).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old female toco toucan was brought in because she was suddenly very depressed and not acting normally. The vet found she was dehydrated and had an enlarged heart on X-rays. Despite treatment with antibiotics and other medications, the toucan sadly passed away a week later. A necropsy revealed that she had severe inflammation around her heart caused by a foreign object made of plant material.
People also search for: toucan depression symptoms · bird heart problems treatment · foreign body in bird stomach
Abstract
An approximately 10-yr-old, captive-born female toco toucan ( Ramphastos toco ) was presented due to an acute onset of depression and apathy. On visual and physical examination, it showed an abnormal posture and dehydration, respectively. Serum biochemistry revealed hyperuricemia (39.4 mg/dl) and elevated glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT; 1,050 U/L). Radiographs demonstrated an enlargement of the cardiac silhouette. The bird died 7 days after presentation, despite treatment with enrofloxacin, allopurinol, a preparation of hepatorenal protectors, and complex B vitamins with dextrose. Necropsy revealed severe fibrinohemorrhagic pericarditis with a 15 mm long and 2.5 mm diameter, rigid foreign body in the pericardial exudate. Microscopically, this foreign body was of vegetal origin.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28080896/