title: Successful treatment of suspected exertional myopathy in a rhea (Rhea americana).
abstract: A 7-yr-old, adult, female greater rhea (Rhea americana) from the National Zoological Park presented with a 24-hr history of severe left leg lameness that progressed to an inability to stand. Blood work revealed creatine phosphokinase (CPK) above 50,000 U/L and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. The bird's condition deteriorated over the next week. The bird's CPK increased to over 208,400 U/L. Aggressive intravenous fluids and physical therapy along with oral anxiolytic and muscle-relaxant drugs were instituted. After 2 wk of aggressive therapy, initial signs of improvement were noted. By day 28, the bird was able to walk unassisted with no noticeable lameness. This is one of the few reported cases of successful treatment of suspected ratite exertional myopathy. It is believed that success in this case can be attributed to persistent, aggressive physical therapy, muscle relaxants, and anxiolytics aimed to counteract the hyperexcitable nature of these birds.
authors.affiliation: National Zoological Park, Department of Animal Health, 3001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20008, USA.
authors.forename: Kristine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005082:Physical Exertion; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000662:veterinary; D020311:Rheiformes; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003402:Creatine Kinase