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Biomedical subjects

N Kummerfeld

Publications and source records attributed to N Kummerfeld.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Ataxia and disequilibrium in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) with intracranial lipomas.

Four birds in a flock of 125 purebred Crested ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) had cerebellar signs of unknown etiology. They had radiographically evident perforations of various sizes in the parieto-occipital calvaria. Gross necropsy of euthanatized ducks revealed yellow intracranial masses in the brain of each. Histologically, these masses were intracranial lipomas consisting of univacuolated fatty tissue separated into lobules by strands of connective tissue. The masses had caused serious deformation of the rostral part of the cerebellum, leading to a nearly complete flattening of cerebellar folia, and were interpreted as the cause for the central nervous clinical signs observed. These intracranial lipomas were similar to those previously reported in other animals and humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Osteological investigations of the incidence of cranial alterations in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) with feather crests.

The feather crest of the domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) represents a peculiar mutation of the integument of the head, which has been known since the 17th century. In literature this is described as a variety with malformations in skull and brain anatomy in which various central nervous deficiencies in affected birds are possible. Our examinations demonstrated several conspicuous anatomical alterations in the skulls of domestic ducks with feather crests. Osteophytes of different size in the hypodermis of the crest integument were found as well as cranial perforations located in the parieto-occipital region. In morphometric studies, a significant increase in the capacity of the cranium was found in Crested ducks compared to other examined breeds (Abacot Ranger, German Pekin ducks). This increase in cranial capacity in Crested ducks results from the occurrence and enlargement of a tentorial fatty depot during craniogenesis. The formation and enlargement of the fat body can influence cranium growth as long as the cranial bones are not entirely fused. Thus, in comparison to other phenotypically similar domesticated birds like the crested chicken, the expression of feather crests in domestic ducks demonstrates symptomatologic differences. In conclusion, our examinations demonstrate that the skulls of Crested ducks show various peculiar morphological alterations whose genesis is up to now not known with satisfactory accuracy. Further investigations are continuing to assertain whether there are linkages between cranial alterations (malformations of the calvaria, osteophytes, increased capacity of the cranium) and the extremely high prenatal and postnatal mortalities and numerous abnormalities described in crested breeds of the domestic duck.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Preliminary examinations on the effects of the breed characteristic feature "feather crest" on skull and brain anatomy of domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.)].

As mentioned in older sources, the crested breed of the domestic duck is described as variety with high pre- and postnatal mortalities, malformations in skull and brain anatomy, and several central nervous deficiencies in affected birds. Therefore this breed is to be called defective and abnormal in the sense of section 11b of the German protection of animals legislation. Poultry fanciers reject these findings as incorrect, but accurate scientific examinations that bear out this allegation are not available. Preliminary examinations have demonstrated that brain and skull anatomy of living animals can be described by using non-invasive diagnostic techniques (magnet-resonance-imaging, computerized tomography, radiography). The use of this progressive methods enables to expressive findings on present stocks of domestic ducks. Many of the test animals investigated in preliminary examinations by using magnet-resonance-imaging and radiography showed abnormal tissue deposits in the tentorium cerebelli, meningo-encephalocele, cranial malformations, and variable bone formations in the thickened hypodermis of the crest. If crested ducks are mated against each other, numerous offspring show malformations of upper beak and cranium, encephalocele, as well as craniopagal parasites in form of rudimentary legs.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Plasma cholesterol determination in birds--a diagnostic tool for detection of organophosphate and carbamate intoxication].

An investigation was done on the clinical usefulness of the dry chemistry analyzer Vitros DT 60 II for determination of avian plasma cholinesterase. The analytical reliability of the method, evaluated by precision and accuracy, proved to be high for plasma of numerous pet and wild birds. Values of normal plasma-cholinesterase activity were established for different psittacine and European wild birds. Significant differences in physiologic plasma-cholinesterase activity were noted between closely related species as well as between juvenile and adult birds. These findings emphasize the necessity to use control values of the same species and age group for comparison. Dry chemistry plasma-cholinesterase determination can be used as a diagnostic tool for detection of organophosphate and carbamate poisonings in the majority of investigated birds.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1996

[Animal nutrition in veterinary medicine--actual case reports. Nutritionally related disturbences in bone development in emus and rheas].

Two cases of disturbed health and growth of the skeleton in emus and rheas caused by faults in feeding and mineral supply are reported. 13 of 37 emus developed (beginning in the 3rd week) more and more signs of perosis. The diet fed in this case was based mainly on pelleted diets for piglets and rabbits and unpelleted supplements. The ingesting behaviour (selective intake and refuse of fines and supplements) resulted in an imbalanced mineral intake. In the second case 3 of 15 young rheas showed unphysiological postures of the necks vertebral column. Disposed by an absolutely insufficient calcium supply (the real ingested diet was based on corn and white bread mainly) fractures of vertebrae were provoked by unprofessional handling. During the healing process (uncalcified) connective tissue near to fractures localization led to the abnormal posture of the neck.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1991

[The clinical and radiological diagnosis of gastric foreign bodies in ornamental birds].

Sometimes curious foreign bodies placed in the proventriculus/ventriculus of companion birds are causes of single case diseases. Clinical signs include atypical symptoms such as distress, lameness, vomiting and diarrhea. In cases of heavy metal intoxication, e.g. lead poisoning, CNS-disorders are found. Radiographs taken in a ventro-dorsal and a latero-lateral view show the presence of foreign bodies in suspicion. In most cases of foreign bodies in birds a surgical intervention (Gastrotomy) is indicated.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis in ornamental birds].

Clinical diagnosis in companion birds consists of well established procedures such as case history, clinical observation, physical examination and further special investigations, e.g. radiology, endoscopy or clinical chemistry. Also some peculiarities of the numerous bird species have to be taken into consideration. These are, for example, certain characteristics of the different species, the varieties of husbandry and environment as single caged birds or flocks in zoos and aviaries and, especially, the lack of typical clinical symptoms in most cases. In regard to those aspects, case history concerning aspects such as age, sex, feeding or course of the disease and special investigations in the case of single caged birds and diagnostic dissections and etiological laboratory examinations, e.g. microbiology, parasitology and toxicology, in the case of flock problems are of major significance. Examples of differential diagnosis in single caged birds, e.g. abnormal behaviour ("feather plucking"), gout, intestinal foreign bodies, tumors or pneumomycosis, and flock health problems, e.g. acariasis, canary pox, coccidiosis or bacterial infections complete this paper.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Hygiene problems with ornamental birds in the household].

Approximately 8 million pet birds are kept in the Federal Republic of Germany. The number of households where these birds are living is insignificantly lower, and the birds are usually kept as singles. Hygienic problems can arise due to the close contact between humans and birds. In view of the different pet birds species originating from different biotopes, specific knowledge is often lacking regarding adequate housing, nutrition and general management. This can result in a decrease of natural resistance and therefore can lead to diseases of those birds. Therapy, performed by a nonveterinarian, usually does not only affect the birds, but also endangers the owners themselves. Especially, the carrier state of newly purchased birds with pathogens hazardous for human health has to be considered. Psittacosis has to be mentioned as one of the major zooanthroponoses deriving from birds. This requires to reconsider governmental measures to cope with this disease including policies of bird import as one of the major reasons for spreading the disease. Better management conditions can extend the life expectation of birds. This might also lower the fluctuation within the pet bird population and therefore biohazards for humans. Therefore, instruction and advice of pet bird-owners are necessary.

Animals↗