Video Content
How to translate text using browser tools
5 March 2024 ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN THIRTY AMERICAN FLAMINGOS (PHOENICOPTERUS RUBER) AND A CASE OF SUSPECTED NEURALLY MEDIATED REFLEX SYNCOPE
Anders S. Schrøder, Jakob L. Willesen, Kathryn L. Perrin, Mads F. Bertelsen, Jørgen Koch
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Heart disease in birds contributes to premature death and is usually detected postmortem. Echocardiography is a sensitive and noninvasive diagnostic modality but reported standard values for many species of birds, including American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), are unavailable. Echocardiography was opportunistically performed on 30 unsedated American flamingos during their annual routine health examination. Structural heart disease was not found in any of the examined birds. However, 18 birds showed varying degrees of dynamic intraventricular obstruction. Echocardiographic parameters are reported. Benign neurocardiogenic weakness or syncopal events during handling were suspected in three birds. Stress combined with an intraventricular obstruction is believed to have triggered a cascade of parasympathetic innervation and sympathetic inhibition, similar to neurally mediated reflex syncope in humans.

Anders S. Schrøder, Jakob L. Willesen, Kathryn L. Perrin, Mads F. Bertelsen, and Jørgen Koch "ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN THIRTY AMERICAN FLAMINGOS (PHOENICOPTERUS RUBER) AND A CASE OF SUSPECTED NEURALLY MEDIATED REFLEX SYNCOPE," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 55(1), 195-199, (5 March 2024). https://doi.org/10.1638/2021-0084
Accepted: 8 October 2023; Published: 5 March 2024
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top