Salmonellosis in Two Canary (Serinus canaria) Flocks

The clinical and pathological findings of two canary flocks (Serinus canaria) experiencing mortalities due to infections with Salmonella typhimurium are described. Flock 1 was a group of birds that had been shipped by air to a pet shop in Western Australia and had experienced high mortalities. Flock 2 was an unrelated aviary flock of 40 canaries with high nestling and fledgling mortality. The main clinical feature in affected birds was rapid onset of depression, fluffed plumage and polyuria. Gross abnormalities detected at necropsy in acutely affected canaries which died in good body condition were a moderate to markedly enlarged reddish-purple spleen, congested intestinal tract and mild to moderately swollen liver. The most consistent finding in more chronically affected birds in moderate body condition was marked splenomegaly and diffusely slightly tanned hepatomegaly. Cytological examinations of liver and splenic impression smears demonstrated abundant Gram negative bacilli free and within macrophages. Histological examination demonstrated acute to chronic granulomatous splenitis and hepatitis in all birds examined. A severe necrotising heterophilic cloacitis was also demonstrated in one female bird. Heavy growths of Salmonella typhimurium were isolated from the coelomic cavity, liver, spleen and intestinal tracts.