Hälsoproblem hos strutsfåglar i Sverige : litteraturstudie och sammanställning av patologifynd

Abstract: In the beginning of the 1990's ratite breeding for meat production was introduced in many European countries, including Sweden. The knowledge of ostrich farming and diseases of ratites is increasing internationally but is still often limited among veterinarians. This report consists of a literature study and a summary of pathology findings from ratites submitted for necropsy to the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) in Uppsala, during 1995 to 2001. The purpose is to give a general introduction to ostrich and ratite breeding and to give an overview of the most common diseases. The necropsy data from 1995 to 2001, indicate that many of the diseases are management related rather than caused by infectious agents. Due to cold climate ostrich breeders in Sweden need to supply well designed buildings and good care of the animal. This leads to higher costs compared to many other ostrich farming countries. However, the significance of the climate in relation to health and mortality is hard to estimate. Comparisons between necropsy findings from different ostrich farming countries, show that the results are very similar regardless of climate. To draw any further conclusions about the impact of cold climate more research is needed.