“Wing Rap” by Dr.Teresa Morishita
Question: I was told that my pheasants had gapeworms. What is it?
Answer: Gapeworm is caused by the parasite Syngamus trachea. Syngamus
trachea is a worm that is located in the trachea (windpipe). Birds that
are affected with S. trachea will have open-mouth breathing and gasping.
Birds will have outstretched necks and their mouths will be open.
Normally, a bird at rest and breathing normally will look like the
pheasant in this photograph.
Besides evaluating how a bird is breathing, one should also evaluate the
bird’s external nares (nostrils). Look at the external nares and make
sure that it is clean and there is no mucus build-up. The external nares
should be symmetrical, which means that the nostrils should be at the
same level. Asymetrical nares, i.e. uneven nares placement, would
indicate a prior respiratory disease. Hence, observe the bird from a
distance to observe its breathing and also look at the bird physically
to observe for current or prior signs of diseases (i.e. mucus build-up
or uneven nares).
Teresa Y. Morishita, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACPV is a Professor and Extension
Poultry Veterinarian in the Department of Veterinary Preventive
Medicine. She is a board-certified poultry veterinarian and is also the
Director of the Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory at The Ohio State
University. She welcomes your questions and invites you to contact her
at the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State
University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210 or contact her through
this website at www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/poultry/
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