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This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Avian Medicine questions |
This budgerigar has a bacterial sinusitis.
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| What major nutrient deficiency in seeds would contribute to such a sinus infection in birds? | The specific nutrient deficiency that would contribute to a sinus infection in birds is hypovitaminosis A.
Vitamin A deficiency results in the failure of some cells to differentiate normally. In the sinus, the epithelial lining degenerates into squamous metaplasia resulting in a thickening of the mucus that washes the debris from the sinus. This thickening reduces flow rates and allows bacteria and debris to persist on the sinus lining until infection occurs. |
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| How would you treat the underlying contributory deficiency? | Proper treatment consists of antibiotic therapy for the infection and a single dose of 20 000 IU vitamin A per kg body weight i.m., followed by supplementation of the diet with vitamin A.
Treatment of the infection without this supplementation renders the bird likely to have a recurrence of the infection. |
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