| CANTHARIDIN TOXICITY, BLISTER BEETLE, IN BIRDS | |
| Description | Emu chicks became ill following intestion of blister beetles, PYROTA INSULATA. These beetle contain the toxin cantharidin which causes gastrointestinal damage. Mortality in young chickens was associated with blister beetle consumption; two species of the insects, CYANEOLYTTA sp. and CYLINDROTHORAX sp., were found in the chickens' crops. |
| Species | Avian |
| Signs | Ataxia, Dysmetria, Inability to stand, Increased mortality in flocks of birds, Sudden death, Vomiting or regurgitation |
| References | Plumlee KH. Cantharidin toxicosis. vet med 1999;94:850-854 Barr AC et al. Cantharidin poisoning of emu chicks by ingestion of pyrota insulata. j vet diagn invest 1998;10:77-79 |