TRAUMATIC (FOREIGN BODY) PERICARDITIS IN A TOCO TOUCAN (RAMPHASTOS TOCO)

Abstract

An approximately 10-yr-old, captive-born female toco toucan ( Ramphastos toco ) was presented due to an acute onset of depression and apathy. On visual and physical examination, it showed an abnormal posture and dehydration, respectively. Serum biochemistry revealed hyperuricemia (39.4 mg/dl) and elevated glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT; 1,050 U/L). Radiographs demonstrated an enlargement of the cardiac silhouette. The bird died 7 days after presentation, despite treatment with enrofloxacin, allopurinol, a preparation of hepatorenal protectors, and complex B vitamins with dextrose. Necropsy revealed severe fibrinohemorrhagic pericarditis with a 15 mm long and 2.5 mm diameter, rigid foreign body in the pericardial exudate. Microscopically, this foreign body was of vegetal origin.

Traumatic pericarditis caused by a bamboo twig in captive waterbuck (<i>Kobus ellipsiprymnus</i>)

“…Traumatic pericarditis can be caused by a foreign object penetrating the diaphragm and entering the pericardium [ 12 ]. Traumatic pericarditis, which is one of the most significant cardiac diseases among bovines [ 3 ], occurs not only in ruminants, but also in canines [ 9 ] and Toco toucans ( Ramphastos toco ) [ 10 ]. Although traumatic pericarditis is a major disease of ruminants [ 5 ], it has rarely been reported in waterbucks.…”