Stunted Chick Syndrome in a psittacine species - a case report

Runting and stunting syndrome is a transmissible disease of uncertain aetiology affecting poultry (broiler chickens) early in life, characterized by growth retardation, ruffled feathers and diarrhoea, resulting in considerable economic losses. Due to the absence of a known aetiology, identification of the disease is commonly based on clinical signs related to malabsorption. This syndrome is also reported in ornamental birds such as parrots. This case reports a 5-month old Gold and Blue Macaw (Ara ararauna) showing different clinical symptoms and poor growth, compared to the other chicks of the same clutch, born after artificial incubation and kept in the same manner. The main clinical symptoms were related to a gastro-intestinal disorder with intermittent regurgitation, diarrhoea and an obvious poor nutrition state. Dermatological signs like crusty skin lesions in the flat portion of both paws, stress-line and slow growth of the plumage were also reported. The breeder suspected dwarfism or other hereditary defects. Microbiological investigations, by sampling of crop, showed the presence of E. coli and Shigella sp in high quantity, suggesting a multi-bacterial infection, complicated by the presence of Candida albicans. The antifungal and antibiotic treatments rapidly resolved the clinical symptoms, but did not solve the persistent growth problem compatible with a Stunted Chick Syndrome. Even if many studies on this disease are reported in chickens and turkeys, further studies need to be performed in parrots, in order to better clarify the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome.