Angel Wing in Waterfowl (frame page - operates correctly from www.wildlifeinformation.org/PREVIEW

General information on Susceptibility / Transmission

WATERFOWL

Transmission:

Thought to be related to excessively fast growth in relatively slow-growing temperate and tropical species.
Overfeeding, both a too-high protein diet and too-high energy diet is thought to be important, and a relative vitamin E deficiency (too low for the high growth rate) has also been suggested as being relevant.
Canada geese fed high protein levels (20%) developed the condition more frequently than those fed lower protein diets (J1.20.w6).
A possible role of incorrect incubation conditions and/or hatching problems has also been suggested.
Mechanical damage to the wing may precipitate the problem in some cases.

Susceptibility:

Angel wing has been reported more commonly in geese and swans than in ducks.
Temperate and tropical, naturally slower-growing, species appear more susceptible. Slipped wing has not been reported in species which breed in the high Arctic and have naturally very high growth rates.
The possibility of genetic predisposition has also been considered.
Domestic breeds, which have been bred for rapid weight gain, appear more susceptible.
Males may be more susceptible than females.
The reason for the disproportionate occurrence affecting the left wing is unknown.

(J1.20.w6, J23.13.w1, P4.1993.w2)

CRANES

Transmission:

Related to rapid growth of flight feathers (primaries and secondaries), exceeding the development of the supporting tissues of the wing.
Can be associated with excess protein in the diet
Can be associated with too-rapid growth

Susceptibility: Occurs more commonly in larger species.

(B115.5)

Infectious/Non-Infectious Agent associated with the Disease
High protein diet, hypovitaminosis D, manganese deficiency, vitamin E deficiency, genetic factors, excessive growth rate, restricted exercise, incorrect incubation, hatching problems, trauma, weight of blood-filled growing primary feathers. (J1.20.w6, J23.13.w1, B10.26.w2, B13.46.w1, B14, B15, P4.1993.w2).
Infective "Taxa"	--
Non-infective agents	Manganese - deficiency Protein (Dietary) - excess Vitamin D - deficiency Vitamin E - deficiency
Physical agents	Accommodation construction Calorie/protein intake excessive Daylength - incorrect / abnormal Restriction of normal movement Temperature - high ambient

References
Disease Author	Debra Bourne
Major References / Reviews
Code and Title List	B10.26.w2, B11.36.w4, B14, B15, B37.x.w1, B40, B115.5, B139 P4.1993.w2 J1.20.w6 J7.S1.w4 J23.13.w1
Other References
Code and Title List	--

Detailed Clinical and Pathological Characteristics
General	WATERFOWL	Deformity of one or both wings in which the affected limb turns outwards and the bird is unable to fly.
General	CRANES	Wing rotated outwards at the carpus, or drooping (B115.5).
Clinical Characteristics	WATERFOWL	One or both wings initially droops and later turns outwards. The condition is permanent if not corrected in the early stages. The left wing is more commonly affected than the right wing. Initially becomes apparent while the flight feathers are growing, with the weight of the primary feathers appearing to be too great for the carpal joint muscles, leading to drooping of the wing tip. Primary flight feathers may become damaged. Extension of the wing may allow a return of the carpometacarpus to normal orientation; examination may show a slight (e.g. less than five degrees) decrease in range of motion of the wing. Affected birds are unable to fly. (J1.20.w6, J23.13.w1, P4.1993.w2, B13.46.w1, B14, B15, B40, B139)
Clinical Characteristics	CRANES	One or both wings droop or are rotated outwards at the carpus (B115.5).
Incubation	WATERFOWL	--
Mortality / Morbidity	WATERFOWL	Not life-threatening in a sheltered situation, such as in a captive collection or on a park lake where safe roost sites (e.g. islands) are present. In the wild an affected bird, being unable to fly, would be unlikely to survive.
Pathology	WATERFOWL	Progressive lateral (outward) rotation of the distal carpometacarpus; third and fourth metacarpals involved, with displacement of the distal bone laterally. Proximal portion of metacarpals may appear normal, with rotation developing distally. Articulation of distal metacarpus with the first phalanx of the third digit is normal but malpositioned. Sometimes slippage of the propatagial tendon over the carpal area. Development of the condition appears to begin when the primary flight feathers are growing. (J1.20.w6, B14, B15, P4.1993.w2)

Disease has been reported in either the wild or in captivity in:
[N.B. Miscellaneous / Traumatic Diseases tend to be under-reported and the majority are likely to affect all waterfowl species, given exposure to the related disease agents/factors.] Cygnus buccinator - Trumpeter swan, Minnesota, USA (J7.S1.w4). Canada goose Branta canadensis from park lakes in Minnesota, USA (J1.20.w6) Canada goose Branta canadensis in Pennsylvania, USA (P4.1993.w2). Swan goose Anser cygnoides, giant Canada goose Branta canadensis maxima, Hawaiian goose Branta sandvicensis, Andean goose Chloephaga melanoptera, Magellan goose Chloephaga picta, blue-winged goose Cyanochen cyanopterus, Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiacus, Indian spotbill Anas poecilorhyncha, Puna teal Anas versicolor, New Zealand grey duck (Pacific black duck) Anas superciliosa, African yellow-bill Anas undulata, chestnut-breasted teal Anas castanea, crested duck Anas specularioides, red-crested pochard Netta rufina, Rosybill Netta peposaca at Slimbridge, UK, also in captive mountain duck (Australian shelduck) Tadorna tadornoides in Australia and wild-type muscovy ducks Cairina moschata in England (J23.13.w1). Free living mute swan Cygnus olor in Switzerland; Cape Barren goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae in South Australia; Canada goose Branta canadensis in Sweden; Mallard Anas platyrhynchos semi-wild, in parks in the UK (J23.13.w1). Black swan Cygnus atratus (B13.46.w1). Pacific black duck Anas superciliosa in Australia; Australian shoveler Anas rhynchotis (B139).
Host Species List	Alopochen aegyptiacus - Egyptian goose Anas castanea - Chestnut teal Anas poecilorhyncha - Spot-billed duck Anas rhynchotis - Australian shoveler Anas specularioides - Crested duck Anas superciliosa - Pacific black duck Anas undulata - Yellow-billed duck Anas versicolor - Silver teal Anser cygnoides - Swan goose Branta canadensis - Canada goose Branta sandvicensis - Nene Cairina moschata - Muscovy duck Cereopsis novaehollandiae - Cape barren goose Chloephaga melanoptera - Andean goose Chloephaga picta - Upland goose Cyanochen cyanopterus - Blue-winged goose Cygnus atratus - Black swan Cygnus buccinator - Trumpeter swan Cygnus olor - Mute swan Netta peposaca - Rosy-billed pochard Netta rufina - Red-crested pochard Tadorna tadornoides - Australian shelduck

Disease has been specifically reported in Free-ranging populations of:
Mute swan Cygnus olor in Switzerland; Cape Barren goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae in South Australia; Canada goose Branta canadensis in Sweden; Mallard Anas platyrhynchos semi-wild, in parks in the UK (J23.13.w1). Giant Canada goose Branta canadensis maxima in Minnesota, USA (J1.20.w6). Canada goose Branta canadensis in Pennsylvania, USA (P4.1993.w2).
Host Species List	Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard Branta canadensis - Canada goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae - Cape barren goose Cygnus olor - Mute swan

Disease Summary
WATERFOWL	Deformity developing during growth, resulting in one or both wings sticking out from the body.

Similar Diseases (Differential Diagnosis)
WATERFOWL	Broken wing (wing droops). May be seen in association with Calcium / Phosphorus / Vitamin D Imbalance, Manganese Deficiency, Vitamin E / Selenium deficiency.

Specific Medical Treatment
WATERFOWL	--
Related Techniques	--

General Nursing and Surgical Techniques
WATERFOWL	Taping the feathers up to the wing for several days (three to seven days) may be effective in early cases. Taping must be removed after a maximum of seven days to allow for wing growth. The level of protein in the diet should be decreased and exercise encouraged. Cosmetic and sometimes flight-worthy correction may be achieved surgically by osteotomy, insertion of an intramedullary pin into the radial metacarpus and realignment of the distal limb (see: Surgical Correction of Angel Wing. Pinioning of the affected wing may be an appropriate treatment where the wing tip is being damaged (see: Pinioning- Adult). (P4.1993.w2, B11.36.w4, B13.46.w1, B14, B37.x.w1, B40)
CRANES	Support the wing in a normal position using a figure-of-eight bandage. N.B. Bandage must be left in place for a maximum of two days, followed by at least two to four hours without a bandage before the bandaging is repeated if necessary. A single period of bandaging is usually sufficient. Elastic, self-adhesive bandage (e.g. Vetwrap) or adhesive tape may be used. If adhesive tape is used it should be doubled over and stuck to itself , leaving about 5-10cm (2-4inches) of adhesive surface exposed. Wrap the bandage/tape around the metacarpals (hand) and the radius/ulna (forewing), so that it is held in a normal folded position. Continue to wrap the tape around the wing, and stick the exposed adhesive surface (if tape is used) to the tape, not to the down or feathers. N.B. bandage left in place too long may constrict blood vessels and may alter feather growth and even affect bone growth. (B115.5)
Related Techniques	Treatment and Care Surgical Correction of Angel Wing Wing Amputation - Adult Birds Food and Feeding for Birds Accommodation Design for Birds

Preventative Measures
Vaccination	WATERFOWL	--
Prophylactic Treatment	WATERFOWL	--
Related Techniques	--

Environmental and Population Control Measures
General Environment Changes, Cleaning and Disinfection	WATERFOWL	Avoid excessive growth rates, particularly of temperate and tropical species. Restrict protein level to e.g. 16-19%. Never use turkey grower crumbs (may be 26-28% protein). If using crumbs with relatively high protein level, ensure diet includes substantial amounts of other, low-protein items e.g. greenfoods such as grass, lettuce. Encourage exercise: give sufficient room for movement. Food and water bowls may be kept apart to encourage movement between them. Restrict daylength for low-latitude species: use brooder lamps which do not give off light for lower-latitude species. (J23.13.w1, B13.46.w1, B139)
Population Control Measures	WATERFOWL	--
Isolation, Quarantine and Screening	WATERFOWL	--
Related Techniques	Environmental and Population Management Preventative Medicine for Birds Food and Feeding for Birds Accommodation Design for Birds