An adult 22-year-old, male southern cassowary (
Casuarius casuarius
)
presented for lethargy, dysorexia and soft feces. Clinical findings under chemical
immobilization were unremarkable except for heterophilic toxic changes on blood smear,
reduced albumin/globulin ratio and potentially elevated liver parameters. The animal was
treated for suspected hepatobiliary insufficiency and received supportive treatment with
daily subcutaneous fluids and medication and was monitored with a quality-of-life
assessment. It was eventually euthanized after further deterioration. Post-mortem
examination revealed vegetative valvular endocarditis, bile duct obstruction,
cholangiohepatitis and splenitis with intralesional
Enterococcus
casseliflavus
isolated. This is a first documented case of
E.
casseliflavus
infection in a bird with multiorgan involvement.
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