title: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CAUSES OF SKIN LESIONS IN WILD TURKEYS (MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO) IN THE EASTERN USA, 1975-2013.
abstract: Skin lesions of Wild Turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ) are a common cause of concern to wildlife biologists and the general public and are a frequent reason for submission to diagnostic laboratories. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the causes, occurrence, and epidemiologic patterns of skin lesions in Wild Turkeys in the eastern US. Skin lesions were diagnosed in 30% (n=199) of the 660 Wild Turkey samples submitted to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study diagnostic service from 1975 to 2013. Avian pox was the most frequent cause of skin lesions (66%, n=131), followed by bacterial dermatitis (22%, n=44), ectoparasitism-related dermatitis (3%, n=6), fungal dermatitis (2.5%, n=5), and neoplasia (2.0%, n=4). Although the gross appearance of skin lesions is often insufficient to determine the etiology, the anatomic distribution of lesions and temporal occurrence of certain diseases may offer insights into likely causes. Cases with lesions involving or restricted to the head and neck were much more likely to be caused by avian pox than other etiologies. Similarly, lesions restricted to the feet were more likely to be of bacterial origin. Skin lesions observed in the fall and winter were more likely to be caused by avian pox, whereas bacterial dermatitis was more frequently observed in the spring and summer. This retrospective study provides a summary of the causes of skin lesions in Wild Turkeys and serves as a useful reference to diagnosticians and biologists when evaluating Wild Turkeys with skin lesions.
authors.affiliation: 1   University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, 501 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.|2   Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Elsmo
authors.affiliation: 2   Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.|3   Baker Institute for Animal Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 235 Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.affiliation: 2   Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of Georgia, 589 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.|4   Pennsylvania Game Commission, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, Wiley Lane, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Justin D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001715:Bird Diseases; D011213:Poxviridae Infections; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000662:veterinary; D014422:Turkeys
keywords: Avian pox; Wild Turkey; dermatitis; lymphoproliferative disease; skin lesions