VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

METABOLIC BONE DISEASE IN CAPTIVE AVIARY SPECIES

• Rickets is encountered in growing birds esp. in birds which have long or large legs and is caused by Ca and Ph. Imbalance and deficiency of vitamin D. But osteomalacia is a disease of adult birds and causes are same as the previous ones.

Clinical signs

• Weakness, anorexia, polydipsia, intermittent loose droppings
• Poor feather growth and chewing at plumage
• Hunch backed appearance if thoracic cage reveals collapse.
• Upper and lower beaks may not oppose each other properly and prehension of  food is faulty.
• Hyperaesthetic and reveal muscle spasms
• Improper calcification of eggs (eggs become more soft)
• Retention of eggs without laying due to lack of calcium