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Stomach impaction and ascaridiasis in Himalayan Griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis): a case study

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Abstract

This study involved an adult male Himalayan Griffon vulture, Gyps himalayensis, housed in Dhauladhar Nature Park (Zoo), Gopalpur, Himachal Pradesh, India. The bird manifested anorexia, emaciation, scant defecation, and reluctance to move. Despite supportive medication, it died. On post mortem examination, the proventriculus and gizzard were found to be firmly distended due to a solid mass made up of long grass material (phytobezoar). The accumulated grass material had led to occlusion of the gastric passage. A heavy infestation of roundworms of Ascaris spp. was also noted in the small intestine. The histopathological examination showed severely inflamed intestine with the presence of parasites in the lumen. This work appears to be the first report of concurrent presence of gastric impaction and ascaridiasis which led to death in the Himalayan Griffon vulture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Disease Investigation Laboratory, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Regional Station, Palampur, HP, India

    Rinku Sharma, A. Kannan, G. Mal & R. Bhar

  2. DGCN College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, CSK HPKV, Palampur, HP, India

    R. D. Patil

  3. Dhauladhar Nature Park, Gopalpur, HP, India

    Vijay Bharti

Authors
  1. Rinku Sharma
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  2. R. D. Patil
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  3. Vijay Bharti
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  4. A. Kannan
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  5. G. Mal
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  6. R. Bhar
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Correspondence to Rinku Sharma.

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Sharma, R., Patil, R.D., Bharti, V. et al. Stomach impaction and ascaridiasis in Himalayan Griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis): a case study. Comp Clin Pathol 24, 1277–1280 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-015-2132-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-015-2132-x

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