Autopsies

(All material was originally posted on the mailing list Bluebird-L  or Bluebird and reposted here with only slight modifications to make them more readable in an HTML format, for more information about Bluebird-L check out the following http://www.cit.cornell.edu/cit-pubs/email/using-lists/index.html. or for the mailing list Bluebird run by Dusty Bleher check out http://fsinc.com/wildbirds/Bluebird/List)

If you are the author of a posting to one of the mailing lists and you would like to see a particular post (or posts) removed from these web pages please contact me at: bluebirdbox@cox.net and I will remove whatever material you like.  If you have an opinion different than one posted hear you need not contact me as often I will have a different opinion also.  My intent is to try and provide both sides to the issues confronting bluebirders and to do so in an impartial manner.

In cases in which quoted material has been deleted to save space, it is indicated by an ellipsis (....)

Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 16:29:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: The Doctor <sytyf@yahoo.com>
Subject: Autopsy report- EABL fledlings (approx. 30 days old) is there a real doctor in the house?
To: BLUEBIRD <BLUEBIRD-L@cornell.edu>

Hi all,

I turned in 2 dead EABL fledglings for autopsies:

DIAGNOSIS:

"APOTOSIS AND RANDOM TO CONFLUENT (MAP-LIKE) AREAS OF LIVER CELL DEGENERATION AND NECROSIS"

There are many written comments which I will share with the group or on an individual basis. I also spoke with Dr. Banerjee to get his verbal take on the situation.

All I know is that since my return from a 10 day vacation:

-Three EABL fledglings have died

- 2 abandoned EABL nests with eggs

- 1 nest with 4 EABL nestlings which saw the male adult 'disappear'

 all the robins, barn swallows, indigo buntings are gone

-Even the House sparrows and European starlings are gone

Seems that within 1 mile radius of my rental house is null and void of at least 90% of the bird species that were present before I went on vacation.

SOME OF DR. BANERJEE"S COMMENTS ON THE @ EABL CARCASSES:

- All other organs/systems seem unremarkable

-Changes in the liver are quite striking and are characterized by acute degeneration and necrosis.

-Toxin infestation to death was no more than 12 hours

- Although no typical cytopathic effect or inclusion bodies are recognized, the lesion somewhat resembles either an adenovirus or a herpes virus hepatitus

-Other causes of hepatic necrosis include fungal toxins (mycotoxicosis) and bacterial toxins absorbed from the intestines

- A heavy growth of E. coli was isolated in the intestines

-A heavy growth of E. coli and Enterobacter aerogenes was isolated in the liver, lungs and trachea.

-Anaerobic culturing was negative for clostridia.

"Stress related to fledglings and high ambient temperature and humidity MAY DISPOSE THE BIRD TO VIRAL INFECTIONS"

Any help interpreting this info would be greatly appreciated.

Have a good day

Bob Sitarski a.k.a The Doctor

Jackson County Indiana ( 38.5244N 86.023W )

& Clay County Illinois ( 38.4008N 88.2908W )

Maps