Wyss F, Wenker C, Hoby S, Gardelli B, Studer-Thiersch A, von Houwald F, Schumacher V, Clauss M, Doherr M G, Häfeli W, Furrer S, Béchet A, Robert N
University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2013 Sep;155(9):497-503. doi: 10.1024/0036-7281/a000499.
Pododermatitis is a worldwide problem in captive flamingos. We performed an evaluation of different influence factors (age, sex, weight, origin, breeding status) and a comparison of foot lesions between several zoological institutions and the feet of free-ranging Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus). A scoring system was used to determine the prevalence and types of lesions and severity. Cracks and nodules developed as early as 3 months of age and papillomatous growths as early as 6 to 7 months of age in captivity. Nodules with ulceration occurred significantly more often in birds older than 31 years and heavier than 4 kg. The comparison of different institutions revealed that birds kept in enclosures with natural-floored water ponds had significantly less severe lesions than birds kept in concrete water ponds. None of the free-ranging flamingos, which live on a muddy underground, showed any lesion. This study demonstrates that flooring, weight and age are important in the onset and progression of pododermatitis in flamingos.
足部皮炎是圈养火烈鸟中存在的一个全球性问题。我们对不同影响因素（年龄、性别、体重、来源、繁殖状态）进行了评估，并对多家动物园机构中圈养火烈鸟的足部病变与野生大火烈鸟（Phoenicopterus roseus）的足部情况进行了比较。采用了一种评分系统来确定病变的患病率、类型和严重程度。在圈养环境中，早在3月龄时就出现了裂缝和结节，早在6至7月龄时就出现了乳头状瘤样增生。溃疡结节在年龄超过31岁且体重超过4千克的鸟类中出现的频率显著更高。不同机构之间的比较显示，饲养在带有天然地面水塘围栏中的鸟类，其病变严重程度明显低于饲养在混凝土水塘中的鸟类。生活在泥泞地面的野生火烈鸟均未出现任何病变。这项研究表明，地面材质、体重和年龄在火烈鸟足部皮炎的发病和进展过程中起着重要作用。
