Rickets, osteomalacia and goiter

RICKETS, OSTEOMALACIA AND GOITER

Rickets and Osteomalacia

  • Rickets is a disease characterized by a failure of mineralization of osteoid matrix in young rowing birds. This disease is frequently seen in long legged birds.
  • Etiology: deficiency of dietary calcium, deficiency of vitamin D and a severely unbalanced calcium and phosphorus ratio.
  • Clinical signs: softening of the vertebrae, claws, and sternum which may develop as S shape.
  • Ribs can curve inward and spinal column deformities can also be seen.
  • Affected birds reluctant to perch, walk or move their wings.
  • Birds frequently rest on their hocks and appear to be waiting for death.

Osteomalacia

  • Osteomalacia is a disease of adult birds where as rickets is a disease of young, growing birds.
  • The causes of Osteomalacia are the same as those of rickets.
  • The disease is frequently associated with prolonged egg laying with an insufficient calcium supply in the diet. Another cause is the lack of grit in the food.
  • Clinical signs: the bones become thin, soft, painful and fragile and can break spontaneously when a bird is handled.
  • Affected bird may appear drowsy, feather picked and reluctant to perch, mover or fly. The female lay brittle eggs or egg production may cease.
  • Treatment: treatment is possible if the bird is not severely affected.
  • Treatment includes calcium and vitamin D supplements.
  • For vitamin D – cod-liver oil can be placed on seed, addition of vitamin D added daily to drinking water or subcutaneous injection of 500 IU vitamin D / 30 g body weight.
  • For calcium, calcium gluconate or lactate can be give orally.
  • Treatment must be completed by improvement of the diet by adding oyster shell grit, fish and cooked vegetables.

Goiter

  • Goiter: a deficiency of iodine in the diet can result in result in decreased secretion of hormone thyroxin.
  • The affected birds are lethargic, inactive and exhibit poor condition like dry skin, regged plumage.
  • They are unable to maintain body temperature when exposed to environmental change, their body cholesterol increases and body weight tends to increased due to the deposition of excess fat.
  • Another major clinical signs are labored respiration with squeaking noise.
  • Goiter can be treated successfully using either iodine or levothyroxine. Iodine can be given by injection to obtain rapid improvement or orally for mild cases.
Last modified: Thursday, 7 June 2012, 10:34 AM