title: Factors influencing the onset and progression of pododermatitis in captive flamingos (Phoenicopteridae).
abstract: Pododermatitis is a worldwide problem in captive flamingos. We performed an evaluation of different influence factors (age, sex, weight, origin, breeding status) and a comparison of foot lesions between several zoological institutions and the feet of free-ranging Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus). A scoring system was used to determine the prevalence and types of lesions and severity. Cracks and nodules developed as early as 3 months of age and papillomatous growths as early as 6 to 7 months of age in captivity. Nodules with ulceration occurred significantly more often in birds older than 31 years and heavier than 4 kg. The comparison of different institutions revealed that birds kept in enclosures with natural-floored water ponds had significantly less severe lesions than birds kept in concrete water ponds. None of the free-ranging flamingos, which live on a muddy underground, showed any lesion. This study demonstrates that flooring, weight and age are important in the onset and progression of pododermatitis in flamingos.
authors.affiliation: University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. fwyss@vetclinics.uzh.ch
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wyss
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wenker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoby
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gardelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Studer-Thiersch
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: von Houwald
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clauss
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Doherr
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Häfeli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Furrer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Béchet
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Robert
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001717:Birds; D001835:Body Weight; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings / Q000145:classification*; D005528:Foot / Q000473:pathology; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006799:Housing, Animal; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology