RESUMEN
This study describes the acute poisoning of four 3-month-old Franconia geese (Anser anser) by oleander plants (Nerium oleander). After the accidental ingestion of oleander clippings, the geese exhibited a rapid onset of severe symptoms, leading to mortality within 15-90 min. Necropsy revealed cardiac and renal lesions. Specifically, interstitial edema, red blood cell infiltration, and myofibril loss were observed in the cardiac muscle, and tubular epithelial degeneration, interstitial edema, and hemorrhages were evident in the kidneys. Oleandrin, a glycoside with cardiac effects, was detected in the liver, kidneys, heart, brain, and muscles. The clinical implications underscore the urgency of veterinary intervention upon oleander ingestion, and the specific findings contribute valuable insights into the pathological effects of acute oleander poisoning in geese, aiding veterinarians in prompt diagnosis and treatment.
RESUMEN
Avian malaria is a re-emerging threat to avian species worldwide. It is sustained by several protozoan species belonging to the genus Plasmodium, mainly Plasmodium relictum. The even wider diffusion of the disease, probably because of the increase in the areas covered by their mosquito vectors, may pose new risks for avian species lacking natural resistance (especially those from artic or sub-artic environments) or those hosted in structures like zoos and wildlife rescue centers. With that premise, this study describes the efficacy and safety of a therapeutic protocol to treat avian malaria in three snowy owls (Bubo scandiacus) hosted in a wildlife rescue center in Apulia, south of Italy, and affected by avian malaria by P. relictum. The protocol consisted of administering 10/4 mg/kg atovaquone/proguanil per os once a day for three consecutive days, repeating this seven days later. Seven days after the end of the treatment, P. relictum was not detected in the birds' blood and no adverse effects were observed during the 60 days of monitoring after the end of the treatment. Therefore, a therapeutic regimen of 10/4 mg/kg/day may be considered safe and effective in a valuable and endangered species such as B. scandiacus.
RESUMEN
The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in poultry farms is linked to the increase in multi-resistant bacteria. Accordingly, based on the antimicrobial properties of Thyme Essential Oil (TEO), the present study evaluated the effects of TEO on the reduction of common microbial contaminants and Salmonella on poultry litter. A litter bulk sample was collected in a broiler farm and qualitative/quantitative investigations identified Escherichia coli and Mammaliicoccus lentus. The experimental contamination with Salmonella Derby wild strain was also performed. All pathogens showed phenotypic and genotypic resistance to different classes of antibiotics. The litter, split in different units, was treated with aqueous solutions of TEO at different concentrations (5% to 1.25%), demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing the total number of bacteria. The strongest antibacterial action was observed at the lowest concentration against Enterobacteriaceae, with a growth reduction compared to the positive control of 73.3% and 77.8% against E. coli and Salmonella Derby, respectively, while towards M. lentus the reduction was 50%. Our data confirm the antimicrobial activity of TEO and suggest its possible application for the treatment of poultry litter as an effective and natural approach for the prevention of diseases caused by the most common bacteria that colonize poultry farms, counteracting the onset of antibiotic resistance.