Bone marrow hypoplasia and intestinal crypt cell necrosis associated with fenbendazole administration in five painted storks.
Five painted storks were treated with fenbendazole for 5 days for internal parasitism. Four birds died following treatment. Profound heteropenia was a consistent finding in all samples evaluated; additionally, the 1 surviving bird had progressive anemia. Consistent necropsy findings in the 4 birds that died were small intestinal crypt cell necrosis and severe bone marrow depletion and necrosis. Fenbendazole has been associated with bone marrow hypoplasia and enteric damage in mammals and other species of birds. The dosages of fenbendazole used in birds are often substantially higher than those recommended for mammals, which may contribute to bone marrow hypoplasia and intestinal crypt cell necrosis associated with fenbendazole administration in birds.
Weber
Martha A
MA
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA.
Terrell
Scott P
SP
Neiffer
Donald L
DL
Miller
Michele A
MA
Mangold
Barbara J
BJ
D000818:Animals; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001717:Birds; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005273:Fenbendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D009348:Nematoda; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary
D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D005273:Fenbendazole