Necropsy findings in ratites (70 cases)

A variety of infectious and noninfectious diseases have been diagnosed to date in the ratite industry. From January 1991 through April 1994, 70 ratites were submitted to the Utah State University Prove Branch Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsy. The birds ranged in age from 1 day to adults. Both infectious and noninfectious diseases were diagnosed in the birds. Ostriches accounted for 50 (71.4%), rheas for 17 (24.3%), and emus for three (4.3%) of the 70 necropsy cases. This report summarizes necropsy findings from 70 ratites.