Fatal levamisole toxicosis of captive kiwi (Apteryx mantelli).
METHODS
Nine of 24 captive kiwi treated with oral levamisole at a dose between 25-43 mg/kg showed signs of respiratory distress. Six died within 4 h of treatment and the remaining three made a full recovery within 24 h.


RESULTS
Within 3-4 h of treatment, the affected birds had an elevated respiratory rate, mucoid nasal discharge and rapidly became comatose. Post mortem examination revealed accumulation of thick mucus in the oral cavity and trachea. There was severe pulmonary congestion and oedema and early bronchopneumonia in the lungs of five of the birds. In two birds, there was acute hepatic degeneration and necrosis and one bird had acute pancreatic degeneration and necrosis.


METHODS
Acute levamisole toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Kiwi were acutely sensitive to levamisole toxicity at doses that are well within the safe range for domestic poultry. Levamisole should not be used as an anthelmintic in kiwi.
Gartrell
B D
BD
Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand. B.Gartrell@massey.ac.nz
Alley
M R
MR
Mitchell
A H
AH
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001717:Birds; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D007978:Levamisole / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D007978:Levamisole