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Pulmonary aspergillosis in the threatened lesser rhea (Rhea pennata)

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Abstract

Two captive lesser rheas (Rhea pennata), a 4-year old and an 11-month old, died in captivity at the Vesty Pakos Zoo in La Paz, Bolivia. Clinical signs were similar in both of the individuals and included lethargy, incoordination, progressive weakness, and loss of appetite. Postmortem analyses confirmed a spread mycotic infection by Aspergillus spp. that affected the respiratory and digestive tracts of these birds. An analysis of the possible predisposing factors for the infection to occur and some management actions focused on preventing the spread of the infection at the Zoo are presented.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. JL Mendoza and Dr. AM Camacho for their help on collecting daily clinical data and their participation on the necropsies of lesser rheas at the Vesty Pakos Zoo. Photographs were taken by Ricardo Quiroga.

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Author notes

  1. Flavia A. Montaño-Centellas

    Present address: Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Área de Conservación y Manejo de Vida Silvestre, Zoológico Municipal Vesty Pakos, Av. Florida Mallasa s/n, P.O. Box 10654, La Paz, Bolivia

    Fidel Fernández Anagua

  2. Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Calle 27 de Cota Cota s/n, P.O. Box M-10114, La Paz, Bolivia

    Flavia A. Montaño-Centellas

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  1. Fidel Fernández Anagua
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  2. Flavia A. Montaño-Centellas
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Correspondence to Flavia A. Montaño-Centellas.

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Fernández Anagua, F., Montaño-Centellas, F.A. Pulmonary aspergillosis in the threatened lesser rhea (Rhea pennata). Comp Clin Pathol 23, 245–247 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-013-1832-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-013-1832-3

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