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Ataxia and Disequilibrium in Domestic Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) with Intracranial Lipomas

Abstract

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.

Key words: Ataxia; brain; disequilibrium; domestic ducks; intracranial lipoma.

Request reprints from Dr. T. Bartels, Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, University of Berne, Bremgartenstrasse 109a, CH-3012 Berne (Switzerland). E-mail: thomas.bartels{at}itz.unibe.ch.