What kind of disease is goiter inflammation in poultry and how to treat it? Goiter diseases in poultry - a complete guide Goitre in the digestive system

Often, ultrasound results and medical reports contain the term “diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland.” What kind of pathology is this, what can cause it, how it manifests itself, and what dangerous consequences it can lead to: we’ll figure it out in our detailed review and video in this article.

Diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland, or goiter, is a syndrome in which the organ enlarges evenly, in all directions, without the formation of nodes and focal changes.

This is interesting. It is no coincidence that an enlarged thyroid gland is called a goiter. This term arose by analogy with the goiter of birds - a physiological formation that is designed to grind food coming from the beak and facilitate digestion. But, unlike birds, in humans such a protruding formation on the neck can cause a lot of inconvenience.

Causes and mechanism of development

Most often, an increase in thyroid goiter is provoked by iodine deficiency (see Why is iodine deficiency dangerous?). The deficiency of this microelement, important for the thyroid gland, is a serious medical and biological problem, the peak of which occurred at the end of the twentieth century.

This is interesting. In 1992-1997, the issue of iodine deficiency in most post-Soviet countries was particularly acute. The reason for this is an unbalanced diet and low microelement content in food, caused by the distance from the sea. Today, the iodine situation in Russia remains stable due to the widespread introduction of iodization of food products, for example, table salt.

However, the incidence of endemic goiter continues to remain high.

This is due to:

• genetic predisposition to the disease;
• increased content of nitrates and urochromes in drinking water, which interfere with the normal absorption of iodine;
• a poor diet containing insufficient amounts of iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, manganese;
• chronic gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by impaired absorption of nutrients, including iodine;
• treatment with drugs that block the absorption of trace elements;
• chronic inflammatory diseases.

With goiter, a significant enlargement of the thyroid gland is observed: a diffuse change in the structure of the organ is due to its “attempt” to compensate for the condition and meet the body’s needs for thyroid hormones, even with a lack of iodine.

In addition to iodine deficiency, an increase in thyroid goiter can be caused by:

• autoimmune thyroiditis;
• diffuse toxic goiter;
• bad habits (smoking (see Thyroid gland and smoking: dangers lurk), alcohol abuse);
• occupational hazards.

Clinical manifestations

Pathological changes in goiter affect, first of all, the thyroid gland itself, the size and density of which gradually increase. The danger of the disease lies in the blurred clinical manifestations and the absence of symptoms in the early stages, so patients often consult a doctor when the goiter reaches a significant size.

In medicine, there are several degrees of enlargement of the thyroid gland. Their characteristics are presented in the table below.

Table: Goiter classification:

Note! Today, medical instructions prescribe the use of the WHO classification to determine the degree of goiter, since it better reflects the clinical picture and is simpler. However, many endocrinologists use Nikolaev’s classification “the old fashioned way.” Please check this with your doctor.

As the goiter increases, patients may complain of:

• feeling of a foreign body, lump in the throat;
• discomfort, pressing pain in the neck;
• swallowing disorders, choking;
• shortness of breath, suffocation.

Thyroid failure

In addition to symptoms of compression of neighboring organs and tissues, with diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland, a hormonal imbalance associated with disruption of the organ’s functioning is often observed.

Endemic goiter is accompanied by symptoms of hypothyroidism:

• weakness, increased fatigue;
• chronic fatigue, drowsiness;
• impaired memory and concentration processes;
• chilliness, poor tolerance to low temperatures;
• slow metabolism, tendency to gain weight;
• hypercholesterolemia;
• bradycardia;
• heart rhythm disturbances;
• constipation;
• myxedema - “dense” swelling, which is localized in the upper part of the body and on the face.

Thyrotoxicosis – excess production of hormones

Diffuse toxic goiter, which develops with autoimmune damage to the thyroid gland, on the contrary, is characterized by a state of hyperthyroidism:

• irritability, increased excitability;
• unexplained anxiety;
• sleep disturbances, nightmares;
• trembling of limbs, tongue;
• acceleration of metabolism: increased appetite, tendency to lose weight, diarrhea;
• tachycardia;
• defeat of the lll pair of cranial nerves - exophthalmos - protrusion of the eyeballs, partial closure of the palpebral fissure.

Diagnostic methods

Despite the fact that an enlarged goiter can be caused by various reasons, diagnostic measures for any type of pathology remain unchanged:

1. General clinical tests (blood tests, urine tests, biochemistry);
2. Study of thyroid hormones (total and free thyroxine, triiodothyronine) + thyrotropin;
3. Ultrasound of the thyroid gland;
4. Radioisotope scanning;
5. R-graphy of the chest organs;
6. CT/MRI;
7. Needle biopsy of the thyroid gland.

Treatment

Treatment of the disease largely depends on the causes that caused it. To draw up a comprehensive treatment plan, it is important to contact a competent endocrinologist.

For endemic goiter the following is prescribed:

1. Complete balanced nutrition. Particular attention should be paid to foods rich in iodine - seaweed, fish, seafood.
2. Healthy lifestyle: daily walks, physical activity, hardening.
3. Multivitamin complexes and iodine preparations (Iodine-active, Iodomarin).
4. Synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones (L-thyroxine, Eutirox, Bagotirox) in identifying hypofunction of the endocrine organ.

Note! The dose of hormonal drugs is selected by the doctor individually based on the diagnosed levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine and thyroid-stimulating hormone.

For diffuse toxic goiter and thyrotoxicosis, thyreostatics (Tyrozol, Mercazolil) become the drugs of choice. These drugs suppress the pathological activity of the thyroid gland and help reduce the level of thyroid hormones.

Goiter of IV-V degree (according to Nikolaev), accompanied by impaired breathing and swallowing processes, is an indication for surgical treatment. Removal of an enlarged thyroid gland is performed under general anesthesia and is usually well tolerated by patients. In the future, such patients require lifelong replacement therapy with levothyroxine.

Thus, a diffuse increase in the size of the thyroid gland is an extensive syndrome that accompanies several pathologies. Based on the cause, development mechanisms and clinical manifestations of the disease, its treatment can be carried out in different ways. Therefore, if your goiter has increased, be sure to consult a doctor to draw up a detailed diagnostic and treatment plan.

The first symptoms and causes of subclinical hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism is the initial stage of the disease, during which disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland occur, but there are no characteristic symptomatic manifestations.

Otherwise it is called hidden hypothyroidism.

There is still debate among specialists as to whether treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism is required or not.

What is subclinical hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome that progresses due to the fact that the thyroid gland, for some reason, produces insufficient amounts of hormones.

It can have an obvious and hidden course. With a latent course, the patient sometimes does not even know about the pathology.

What is subclinical hypothyroidism and is it dangerous?

Hypothyroidism is characterized by a slight increase in the concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood, while normal values ​​of T4 and T3 are observed.

Symptoms of subclinical hypothyroidism are practically absent, the patient does not feel any changes in his own condition for the worse.

The diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism is mostly made in women. The older a woman gets, the greater the likelihood that this thyroid pathology will develop.

Causes

Quite often, primary hidden hypothyroidism develops against the background of autoimmune thyroiditis.

The reasons that can provoke primary subclinical hypothyroidism are the same as those that provoke classical hypothyroidism. It can develop as a result of the following factors:

1. Subclinical hypothyroidism in children occurs due to abnormal development in the prenatal period.
2. The subclinical form of hypothyroidism occurs due to complete or partial removal of the glandular organ.
3. With long-term use of a certain number of medications that inhibit thyroid function, this pathology can also develop.
4. Inflammatory processes that occur in the glandular organ also contribute to the development of the disease.
5. Therapy using radioactive iodine.

Also, subclinical hypothyroidism occurs quite often due to iodine deficiency.

Moreover, this reason contributes to the development of the disease mostly in the child, since the child may not pay attention to some symptoms characteristic of iodine deficiency.

In addition to the above, the following factors can provoke latent hypothyroidism:

1. Activities that were previously taken to cure hyperthyroidism.
2. Tumor processes of the glandular organ that are malignant in nature.
3. Secondary subclinical hypothyroidism is provoked by a disruption in the function of other organs of the endocrine system, for example, tumor processes in the hypothalamic-pituitary region of the brain.

The course of subclinical hypothyroidism, symptoms and treatment of this pathology directly depend on the cause that provoked it.

So, if the true cause is discovered, then it is possible to quickly stabilize the hormonal ratio of the body and restore normal function to the affected glandular organ.

Symptomatic manifestations

According to medical theory, the subclinical form of the pathology does not have any signs of the disease that would indicate existing hypofunction of the thyroid gland.

However, practical medicine has slightly different information.

It is possible to identify the presence of pathological changes in an organ through careful consideration of the course of metabolic processes in the patient’s body.

Disturbances can be found in various types of metabolism, including the main one.

If there are disturbances in fat metabolism, the patient's body weight increases and atherosclerosis may develop, which will lead to coronary heart disease. In the future, myocardial infarction may occur.

For this reason, timely detection of subclinical hypothyroidism is required, which can often be detected only on the basis of a blood test for hormones.

Occasionally, a subclinical form of the pathology can give the following symptomatic manifestations:

1. Can develop hypothermia, which is a reduced body temperature relative to normal.
2. There is a decrease in libido and galactorrhea (discharge of colostrum or milk from the mammary glands) may develop.
3. There is some absent-mindedness, increased drowsiness, apathy, slow reactions to standard stimuli and impaired concentration.
4. Body weight increases due to decreased appetite.
5. Mental activity decreases and performance decreases.
6. Depressive states may develop.
7. Constant feeling of chilliness.

If these manifestations are ignored for a long time, after a certain period of time the following symptoms may occur:

1. Swelling of the upper half of the body. Muscle soreness.
2. A decrease in the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle, otherwise – bradycardia.
3. Defecation disorders and flatulence.
4. Increased intraocular pressure.
5. Infertility, decreased potency, disruption of the ovulatory cycle, uterine bleeding. In case of pregnancy - premature birth.
6. Excessive dryness of the skin.
7. Increased fragility, dryness and profuse hair loss on the scalp.

Single symptoms do not yet indicate that there are thyroid pathologies.

When a combination of 3 or more manifestations is observed, this is a significant reason to contact a specialist and undergo diagnostics.

If a subclinical form of hypothyroidism is suspected, an endocrinologist interviews the patient and then recommends undergoing a certain series of clinical studies.

When there is a possibility that thyroid function is reduced, the following tests are prescribed to confirm or refute the diagnosis:

1. A referral is issued for a study of the thyroid hormone level of the thyroid gland.

The reference indicator for this biologically active compound is considered to be its concentration in the blood at the level of 2.6 - 5.7 mmol/l.

In this case, triiodothyronine and thyroxine should correspond to 9.0 - 22.0.

However, it is impossible to establish a diagnosis based on this hormonal test alone, since the concentrations of thyroid hormones decrease extremely slowly.

1. It is necessary to determine the presence of antibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase.

Benchmarks have no lower bound. The upper limit of a healthy person is AT-TG 19 U/ml, and AT-TPO 5.7 U/ml.

At significantly higher concentrations, the autoimmune nature of hypothyroidism is diagnosed.

1. It is necessary to conduct a blood test to determine the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone.

The reference concentration of TSH in the blood is considered to be 0.5 - 4.3 mU/l. This analysis is one of the most informative studies that can help identify subclinical hypothyroidism.

This is explained by the fact that the pituitary gland is extremely sensitive to any changes in the human body.

With thyroid pathology, TSH concentrations in the blood increase sharply due to decreased function of the glandular organ.

1. Scintigraphy is one of the main research methods used to determine the function of the glandular organ.

This diagnostic measure is based on the use of radioactive isotopes, which can reflect the performance of the thyroid gland, pathological processes of the organ, or changes in the location of blood vessels.

With hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland takes up noticeably smaller amounts of iodine, which is clearly visible during the study.

In addition to the above, in order to confirm subclinical hypothyroidism, a certain number of additional studies may be required. For hypothyroidism, auxiliary studies are as follows:

1. Ultrasound examination of the glandular organ. This study is aimed at studying the parameters and structure of thyroid tissue.
2. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity. It is carried out in case of obvious symptoms that relate to malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract and are due to thyroid disorders.
3. Chest X-ray – performed in cases of suspected hypothyroidism in children.
4. Electrocardiography – allows you to assess the degree of influence of hypothyroidism on the functioning of the heart muscle.

According to the results of these studies, it is possible to diagnose a subclinical form of hypothyroidism and determine the optimal treatment tactics.

Treatment

It is generally accepted that the subclinical form of hypothyroidism is not an independent disease and is always accompanied by some other pathology of the glandular organ, therefore it is not hypothyroidism that needs to be treated, but the provoking cause.

However, almost always, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed as the main treatment with drugs that contain synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones or are capable of regulating the level of thyroid hormones.

The therapy does not have any specific features and consists of the following stages:

1. Hormone therapy is calculated based on blood tests performed by an endocrinologist.
2. The main provoking cause is identified and treated (elimination).
3. Certain vitamins and minerals are prescribed and must be taken daily throughout therapy to stabilize immune function.
4. A specific diet is calculated that helps correct metabolic disorders caused by hypothyroidism.

As part of a therapeutic diet, the patient is required to remove the following food products from his own diet:

1. Products that contain soy.
2. Reduce water consumption to 600 ml/day.
3. Eliminate sugar and sugar-containing products completely.
4. It is required to limit as much as possible the consumption of foods that contain polyunsaturated fats - vegetable oils, butter, nuts, avocados and fatty fish.

The basis of the diet as part of the anti-hypothyroidism diet should include:

1. Broths based on white meat.
2. Poultry meat.
3. Significant volumes of fresh fruits and vegetables.
4. Seafood.

If you follow such a diet, the course of treatment is reduced significantly.

Forecast and preventive measures

Hypothyroidism is a rather dangerous disease that can lead to serious impairment of many functions of organs and their systems.

It is especially important to promptly identify hypothyroidism in children, since insufficiency of thyroid hormones leads to delays in mental and physical development. In adults, hypothyroidism can lead to coma.

The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the fewer the consequences and the greater the likelihood of avoiding any complications associated with it.

In general, the prognosis for subclinical hypothyroidism is favorable. It is possible to prevent hypothyroidism and its development only when it is caused by iodine deficiency in the body.

Also, as a preventive measure, you can indicate the need for tests for pregnant women - this will prevent many congenital defects or make it possible to begin their timely treatment.

In birds, the crop is an important component of the digestive system, located at its very beginning. Therefore, it is not surprising that in case of any problems with goiter, the bird cannot eat normally. Chicken owners need to remember this and immediately take action when the first signs of illness appear.

The structure of the crop and digestive system in chickens

To understand how to solve this problem, you should first become familiar with the structure of this organ.

What is a goiter and where is it located?

A goiter in birds is an enlargement of the esophagus. This is where food collects before it enters the stomach. It, like the entire esophagus, has transverse muscles responsible for the movement of food. In chickens it is short, sharply limited above and below - this separates it from the rest of the food tract.

The food that gets there stays in it for some time and softens. This is facilitated by the secretion secreted by the glands. It gradually affects food and it moves through the esophagus into the stomach.

When the bird eats, its crop fills up and is often clearly visible. It feels hard to the touch. After some time, the organ gradually empties and becomes soft. If this does not happen, appropriate measures must be taken urgently.

Did you know? The modern word goiter comes from “zobъ”, which in the ancient Slavic language meant “feed”, “food”.

How to understand that the goiter is clogged

The easiest way to determine whether the goiter is clogged is visually. When it is full, it bulges out, but gradually becomes empty. If it is noticeable all the time, regardless of feeding, then it is clogged. Of course, not all breeds can visually assess the condition of the organ. Many chickens have dense and dense plumage on the neck and chest, behind which such changes are not noticeable. In this case, you need to carefully monitor the behavior of the bird. A sick bird begins to become lethargic and loses its appetite. The chicken stops drinking water.
When examining the bird, a compaction of the crop, similar to a ball, is felt, and an unpleasant smell of rot comes from its beak. A clear or yellowish fluid may be released. Breathing also changes - it becomes heavy and intermittent.

Causes of blockage

The functioning of the organ is primarily influenced by diet and feed quality.

If the birds do not change their water regularly, it will stagnate. Such water may contain dirt and various debris. Getting into the chicken's body, it can cause an inflammatory process. Because of it, the activity of the organ is disrupted.

Important! If the water is heavily polluted, the bird may not drink it. However, when you eat dry food, it sticks to the walls of the esophagus.due to lack of fluid and is unable to move forward. The result will be the same - disruption of the normal functioning of the goiter.

Poor quality food

Birds have difficulty digesting solid, coarse, heavy, spoiled food. Due to digestive disorders, the goiter cannot be completely released. Over time, food accumulates in it.

Long breaks between feedings

If a bird has not eaten for a long time, then, having received food, it will pounce on it and try to get enough as quickly as possible. In this case, the chicken’s crop will fill up as much as possible, which will make it difficult for it to function normally.

What to do and how to help the chicken

The problem in the initial stage is easy to solve. A little warm water or vegetable oil is poured into the bird’s beak from a syringe. Then the clogged organ is warmed up with massage movements. This stimulates the movement of food.

If the inflammatory process has already begun, it is removed with the help of potassium permanganate. The solution is poured through a rubber tube inserted into the esophagus, and the food is softened and washed out. It is necessary to pour in 1.5 cups of potassium permanganate. To cleanse the organ, you need to do the procedure 2-3 times.

To release the organ faster, the bird is turned upside down and slightly shaken. This should not last more than 10 seconds. Then she is transferred to dietary food. The chicken's diet should contain only soft food (mashed potatoes, softened porridge, boiled eggs, kefir, cottage cheese). In addition, goiter massage should be performed every day.

To completely eliminate the inflammatory process, the bird is given.

Did you know? Chickens are capable of empathy. This fact was discovered by British ornithologist Joe Edgar. He conducted an experiment in which he created a stressful situation for a chicken. During this time, his mother acted as if she herself had been exposed to this stress.

After the operation, a diet is also followed. On the first day - hunger strike. The next day you can give soaked bread mixed with cottage cheese or kefir.

The patient can be returned to the rest of the birds after 2-3 days.

Prevention of goiter blockage

Even when a disease can be cured, it is better to prevent its occurrence in the first place. To do this, you need to follow a number of simple rules:

1. First of all, when you get chickens, you need to think about the bird's diet. For chickens, feeding twice a day (morning and evening) is optimal.
2. It is advisable to give food at the same time. Then the bird will not attack the food and absorb it too quickly.
3. The quality of the feed should also be monitored. It is necessary to exclude, if possible, solid and rough foods. And if it is included in the menu, then serve it crushed and mixed with soft.
4. To improve the digestion process, you can add a few drops of apple cider vinegar to it every time you change the drinking water in the drinking bowl. The water itself must be changed regularly.
5. In the wild, birds swallow grains of sand or small stones to soften food in their crops. Therefore, in the chicken coop near the feeders there should always be a container with sand or small pebbles.

Goiter diseases

A goiter is a sac-like expansion of the wall of the esophagus. It divides the esophagus into two parts - upper and lower. The structure of the goiter does not differ significantly from the rest of the esophagus, but in some birds (pigeons, pheasants) striated muscles are attached to it. In most birds, the crop is located on the right side of the neck above the collarbone and has large glands; in pigeons it is double. In waterfowl, the goiter is not pronounced, but there is a slight expansion of the esophagus at the transition to the glandular stomach. Some birds have little or no crop (ostrich, penguins, loons and many others).

In pigeons, from the 8th day of incubation, crop epithelial cells undergo fatty degeneration, are rejected and, together with the secretion of the crop glands, form a whitish liquid (crop milk) for feeding the chicks. Sandgrouse living in deserts carry water for their chicks in their crops. The goiter is clearly visible in chicks when they are fed. The food accumulates in it, is softened by the secretion of the thymus glands and is prepared for digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. Digestion of feed carbohydrates occurs there.

Goiter inflammation

The source of infection during inflammation of the goiter can be a contaminated drinking bowl. In a semi-closed system, dangerous bacteria and fungi can multiply unhindered. Calcareous and slimy deposits along the edges of the drinking bowl, and even toxic algae can form in a short time if the drinking bowl is not washed daily with hot water and brushed.

Characteristic clinical signs of goiter inflammation are regurgitation of lumpy masses and frequent swallowing movements. The plumage of the head is dirty, stuck together with mucus and food residues, since with the help of anti-peristaltic movements of the crop the bird tries to push out the mucus accumulating there. Diarrhea usually develops over time as the infection passes through the stomach and enters the intestines. The bird is inactive, the plumage is ruffled, the appetite is reduced or absent.

Almost all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in birds decrease the temperature, so they need a constant comfortable temperature regime. In order to warm the bird, you can use a table lamp with a power of 40-60 W (the lamp must be an old model). If the bird is at the bottom of the cage and does not have the strength to climb onto the perch, heating pads or plastic bottles filled with hot water will do.

Before starting treatment measures, it is necessary to take a smear from the goiter and esophagus and carry out bacteriological and mycological culture (for fungal flora) to study the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics and bacteriophages. This will allow you to choose the optimal and safest treatment for the bird. If tests are not carried out, then the antibiotic is prescribed “blindly”, and precious time is lost. In cases where the bacteria that caused the inflammation are resistant to the antibiotic, the bird shows no improvement and becomes increasingly weaker.

Pending laboratory results, the bird's crop should be washed with disinfectants to remove accumulated mucus. It is better if these manipulations are performed by a specialist or under his direct supervision. In severe cases, it is recommended to prescribe an antibiotic, the choice of which depends on the severity of the disease and the physical condition of the bird.

Until the inflammation is eliminated, the bird should receive soft food that does not irritate the crop. For feeding during this period, it is recommended to use boiled rice and other grain porridges, cooked without salt and fat in water; you can feed children with dry milk-free porridge for babies. Dry grain can provoke a gag reflex. If the bird does not eat on its own, it must be force-fed using a pipette or an insulin syringe without a needle. If there is no appetite, enzymes are introduced into the diet.

Inflammation of the goiter, as a rule, is cured within 5-7 days if therapy is carried out in a timely and targeted manner. However, the mucous membrane of the crop may remain damaged and, therefore, sensitive to new pathogens, so the bird must receive vitamin A for 2-3 weeks. In addition, the bird is most often weakened and needs increased care, otherwise there is a high probability of recurrent disease. It is important that the recovering bird be kept close to a warming lamp for several weeks to avoid a drop in body temperature.

Droopy goiter

A saggy goiter is a constant stretching of its muscles. This clinical picture occurs primarily in old budgies; it develops as a result of chronic stretching of the crop. The muscle fibers lose their elasticity, the goiter turns into a flabby, often fluid-filled, sac hanging over the chest. When the crop is filled with food, it protrudes under the plumage and becomes noticeable.

Chronic enlargement of the crop is common in birds that have suffered repeated inflammation of the crop. Due to irregular feeding or lack of mineral feed in the diet for a long time, the bird eats too many grains or minerals at one time, causing the muscle fibers to overstretch and, over time, weaken. A pendulous crop can also develop in human-fed chicks. In nature, the interval between feedings is very short. Typically, a chick has four or five other siblings, so the parents have to divide the food among everyone and give the chicks a small amount of food every 15 minutes. In this case, the goiter does not stretch. If a person feeds a chick, then out of ignorance or lack of time, he feeds it less often and gives a larger amount of food at a time. As a result, the crop becomes overstretched and sensitive muscle fibers are damaged, which can cause many problems for the chick in the future. This, as a rule, occurs in small parrots, more often in budgies (the ornithologist at the Zoovet veterinary center has not recorded such cases in medium and large parrots).

In a drooping crop, food is retained longer than usual. The reason for this is the low mobility of the muscles responsible for transporting the food bolus to the stomach. Sometimes complete atony (immobility) of the goiter develops. As a result, fermentation of the feed and gas formation occurs, as a result of which the crop becomes more stretched and, in severe cases, ruptures. Despite the good appetite, the bird is losing weight. The fermentation process of feed in the crop creates a favorable environment for the development of bacterial and fungal microflora. Birds with drooping crops are susceptible to various infectious diseases. If the elasticity of the goiter muscles is lost, then it is impossible to restore it.

The introduction of vitamin A enhances the protective properties of the goiter mucosa. In extreme cases, if the general condition of the bird worsens, the enlarged goiter is reduced surgically.

The bird must always have food in its cage so that it can eat as much as it wants at any time, but the amount of food should not exceed the established standards. If the bird gets used to the fact that there is always a sufficient amount of food in the feeder, then after a while it will begin to eat it several times a day, as a result of which the crop will not overflow.

Some "non-trainable" birds, especially budgerigars, should be fed 3-4 times a day with small amounts of food.

Goiter damage

Damage to the crop in birds is divided into:

Internal - various foreign bodies with sharp edges or due to the overflow of the crop with swelling or easily fermenting food. In this case, the food that was in the crop gets under the skin in the neck area.
. External - as a result of an accident (hitting a window glass, falling), bites (for example, from a cat) or blows (from a rival bird). If the skin is damaged, the food falls out, which can result in the contamination of the open wound with bacterial microflora. In most cases, the edges of the wound at the site of the rupture heal, leaving an open fistula, as a result of which the bird dies of starvation, despite its intact appetite.

All goiter injuries are treated surgically. Remains of food are removed from the damaged crop and subcutaneous tissue, and the edges of the wound are processed and stitched. Until the wound is completely healed, the bird should be fed soft and liquid food. Antibiotics are used to prevent wound infection. This is especially important if the crop rupture was caused by a cat bite (its saliva contains bacteria (pasteurella), which can cause the death of the bird within 24 hours).

Yellow goiter (Trichomoniasis)

Trichomonas live in the throat and crop of affected birds. Due to constant irritation, thick gray mucous deposits form at the base of the tongue, easily removed, which spread into the trachea, esophagus and goiter. They can cause respiratory failure. It becomes difficult for the bird to swallow, it sits with fluffy plumage, loses weight and, in the end, dies of hunger in front of a full feeder. If the pathogen enters the blood, it is carried into the internal organs (liver, kidneys, heart, brain), where Trichomonas abscesses are formed.

Goiter in birds (Ingluvies) - Goiter in birds represents an enlargement of the esophagus, in which food accumulates before entering the stomach. In its structure, the esophagus does not differ significantly from the rest of the esophagus; in some birds (for example, pigeons, pheasants), striated muscles are attached to it, facilitating its emptying. There is no z. at all in some birds (for example, ostriches, wingless birds, penguins, loons and many others); in the rest, two main forms of goiter are distinguished, connected by transitions: either the wall of the esophagus protrudes over a small distance and thus forms a fusiform sac (for example, in the cassowary, hatchet, raptors, hummingbirds), or the goiter is short and sharply delimited above and below ( in chickens, ankles, parrots, some passerines: bullfinch, crossbill, chaffinch, etc.). To some extent, food undergoes changes in food: it is soaked, and in some cases it also partially changes chemically. In pigeons of both sexes, during the period of feeding the chicks, the walls of the cervix secrete a liquid similar to milk and serving as food for the young chicks.

Hardening of the goiter

Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron. - S.-Pb.: Brockhaus-Efron. 1890-1907 .

See what “Crow in birds” is in other dictionaries:

This term has other meanings, see Goiter. Crop (lat. ingluvies) is an expanded part of the esophagus in a number of invertebrates (molluscs, worms, insects) and in birds, serving for accumulation, storage, and sometimes preliminary processing... ... Wikipedia

- (ingluvies), an expanded part of the esophagus in a number of invertebrates (many mollusks, worms, insects) and birds; serves for accumulation, storage, and sometimes pre-chemical. food processing. In 3. bees, nectar is processed into honey. Birds have 3.… … Biological encyclopedic dictionary

Husband. hump, bulging place, sag of flooring, crossbars; in granivorous birds: the lower part of the food throat, a type of pouch where food swells before entering the stomach; valier; the front part of the chest in all birds; | in humans, sometimes in animals: ... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

A; sentence in the crop and in the crop; pl. goiters; m. 1. An expanded part of the esophagus in birds, insects and mollusks, which serves to accumulate and soften food. Z. goose, pigeon. The pelican's wing is filled with fish. Sparrows with stuffed crops. 2. Unwind reduction Throat.… … encyclopedic Dictionary

Crop (Ingluvies), an expanded part of the esophagus in many mollusks, insects and birds, serving for the accumulation, storage, and sometimes preliminary chemical processing of food. In flies, butterflies and other insects that consume liquid food, Z. is represented... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

- (Ingluvies) in birds represents an expansion of the esophagus, in which food accumulates before entering the stomach. But in its structure, the esophagus does not differ significantly from the rest of the esophagus; in some birds (for example, pigeons, pheasants) ... ... are attached to it. Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

Goiter, ah, about goiter, in goiter, pl. s, ov, husband. 1. In birds, insects, mollusks: an expanded part of the esophagus where food is accumulated and pre-processed. 2. Painfully enlarged thyroid gland, as well as (simple) obesity of the neck under... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Goiter, an expanded part of the esophagus in a number of invertebrates (many mollusks, worms, insects) and birds; serves for accumulation, storage, and sometimes preliminary chemical processing of food... encyclopedic Dictionary

The expanded part of the esophagus in a number of invertebrates (many mollusks, worms, insects) and birds; serves for accumulation, storage, and sometimes preliminary chemical processing of food... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

M. 1. The expanded lower part of the esophagus, which serves to accumulate and soften food (in birds, insects, mollusks). 2. Tumor-like enlargement of the thyroid gland; Graves' disease (in humans). 3. transfer decomposition Excessive neck fatness under... ... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

Birds are considered the kings of the sky, only they could climb so high. To conquer the peaks, nature awarded them with a special structure. It is worth noting that birds are divided into flying and flightless. There is also a difference in terms of fertilization and reproduction. But today we will discuss what important role goiter plays in their body.

What is "bird goiter"?

Many people think that the word “goiter” means a disease, but it is a special organ that resembles a kind of bag where food collects. It is located closer to the collarbone, in the widest part of the esophagus. You can even see it with the naked eye, because it has the peculiarity of protruding. The digestive reaction begins in this organ, and then with the help of striated muscles, food is pushed into the glandular stomach.

Two types of goiter in birds:

• In predators, the organ looks like a reservoir. Essentially, it resembles a garbage bag into which all trash is swallowed, this includes bones, feathers, etc. Over time, the bird spits them out in the form of a lump.
• And in parrots or the chicken family, the crop is usually short and small. It is especially clearly visible in chicks after feeding; the goiter is also clearly visible in birds that feed on grain. Birds should not be overfed; hardening of the crop may develop - this is a disease that is accompanied by weight loss, diarrhea and obstruction. You can cure a bird with diet, kneading the organ and giving special medications.

Now you can imagine what a goiter is. Where is he located? In a large number of birds it is located under the collarbone on the neck, on the right side.

A healthy, empty crop feels soft and elastic to the touch, but becomes hard after feeding.

Do all birds have a crop?

The crop is best developed in birds, which serves grain as food. In this part, the main and most complex biochemical process of food digestion begins. The food swells and then becomes soft and, under the influence of salivary enzymes and its enzymes, symbiotic bacteria and mucus, begins to decompose into its components. This part of digestion breaks down fats, proteins and carbohydrates. This is typical for the orders Parrots and Chickens.

For birds that often go through long periods of fasting, the pouch is used as food storage. In predators, this organ is like a garbage collector, because undigested parts of food, for example, feathers, bones, wool, chitin, fall into it.

There are those who do not have goiter, for example, in penguins and ostriches. The factor that unites them is that they are flightless. In the ostrich, the lack of an organ is compensated by a long neck and swallowing stones, which help digest very tough food.

Gastroliths and their function

Grouse also swallow stones. Stones that help digest tough foods are called gastroliths. Birds find them and consume them along with food. In some people, these stones sink below the stomach, into the muscles and remain there. It is recommended that pet birds put small pebbles and sand in their cage. Gastroliths perform the functions of a crop, which is absent in modern birds.

bird's milk

There is a legend that birds of paradise fed their chicks with milk. If a person tried such milk, he became invulnerable to all diseases.

Pigeons while hatching chicks the structure of the goiter changes. Because of this, epithelial cells turn into fat and are rejected with mucus, forming a curdled white liquid. This is bird's milk, or rather, crop milk, which is used to feed chicks in the wild for about a month, and in captivity for two weeks. Such food is very high in calories and fat, it contributes to the healthy development of the chick. Bird milk is produced not only by females, but also by males.

Flamingos feed their chicks with a similar product, but their crop milk still contains semi-digested food particles.

What else is a goiter needed for?

For pigeons, the crop serves as a resonator, which is necessary for males to attract females by cooing. It is very visible when it swells during courtship.

Desert birds, also known as hazel grouse, bring water to their chicks in a bag.

Pelicans have the largest pouch where they are able to carry fish.

What is the risk of damage to the goiter?

This organ is very important for birds. Especially for those who eat grains and plant foods. Animals can die if severely injured. Damage is divided into two groups: internal and external.

External damage occurs most often as a result of injury: a fight for a female, a blow during flight, a cat bite. If the integrity of the cover is compromised, food falls out and the bird often dies from starvation.

Internal damage occurs due to injury from something sharp or overfilling of the organ with food. Therefore, it is not recommended to feed fresh black bread to wild birds. The pouch may rupture and release food under the skin.

If birds are injured, they can be saved by contacting a veterinarian for stitches.

Goiter inflammation

Inflammation is one of the most dangerous diseases. When pathogenic fungi or bacteria enter the body, the work of the goiter is disrupted. The glands produce a lot of mucus. The disease often attacks poultry that eat ready-made grain mixtures without vitamin A. If treatment is not started, the infection will affect the intestines and stomach, and diarrhea will occur.

Signs of inflammation:

• Gray slime;
• Lack of appetite;
• Decreased body temperature;
• Excessively frequent swallowing movements are noticed;
• Food is regurgitated;
• Loose stools.

Pathology occurs due to muscle strain. It looks like a bag hanging over the chest. After eating food, the organ is very noticeable.

The disease can be chronic if the bird is often hungry. The bird eats a lot, if it is very hungry, it fills the bag and stretches it, after which it loses its elasticity. Food remains in the saggy pouch longer than usual, which is why the process of gas formation begins.

Unfortunately, this disease is incurable and irreversible.

The health of the birds should be constantly monitored. After all, minor changes and diseases can lead to the death of a pet.