Introduction

Toucans are taxonomically found on Piciform order, and along to Aracaris forms family Ramphastidae. There are 172 known species of piciforms in South America. The compound genres of family Ramphastidae and their number in species are: Ramphastos (11), Aulacorhynchus (6), Andigena (4), Selenidera (6), Pteroglossus (13) and Baillonius (1) (Sick 1997). Among all neotropical piciform species, ramphastidies are the most common on captive, and for that reason, gather most of studies. They occur in all Brazilian biomes, but most of species are found on the Amazon forest (Sick 1997). About morphophysiological aspects, toucans measures between 40 to 66 centimeter (cm) long, and weights from 125 grams (g) to 600g. As other piciform species, toucans are zygodactyl, meaning that their second and third fingers are headed forward, and first and forth ones backwards. They have 14 cervical vertebrae and uropygium is bilobulated. The beak is long and colorful, made of spongy-like trabeculae bone, clothed by corneal skeleton called rhamphotheca. The tongue is fibrous with lateral fringes, that gives it a feather-like appearance. The intestines of toucans are relatively short, adapted to its fructuous feeding habits, fast intestinal transit, results in voluminous feces. They don´t have craws or cecum, biliary vesicle is elongated and spleen is round (Sick 1997). Cardiac frequency varies from 130 to 1165 beats per minute (bpm) and respiratory frequency between 15 to 45 movements per minute (mpm). Life expectancy is about 15 to 25 years (Cubas 2006). Only a few number of veterinarian doctors has access to equipments as a fluoroscope, which allows a clinical assessment on dynamics of digestive tract (Ticer 1987). The use of ultra-sound examination for this matter is problematical, due to air sacs (Rupley 1999). It leads us into use of other diagnostic tools, as radiographic views thru gastrointestinal transit (GIT). GIT in birds is an excellent diagnostic tool in spite of little natural contrasts in cavity (Rupley 1999). It can be used to evaluate size, shape and position of an organ. That way is possible to outline neighbor structures, thickness and health of hollow structures, evaluate function (Hudson et al. 2003), as in dysphagia, regurgitation, foreign bodies in coelom, masses, esophageal dysfunction, vomit, diarrhea, obstructions and displacements (Han & Hurd 2007).

Materials and Methods

There were tested six green-beak toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) to GIT. They were all adult, four male, two female, ages between 1 to 4 years-old. All birds belong to Municipal Zoo of São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil, and sheltered by the same handling system over 180 days. All animals were clinically examined and considered healthy. Average weight was 350 g. All radiographic tests were performed in the morning, with fasting time around eight to 12 hours. Through physical restraining, radiographic contrast, barium sulfate 100% (Bariogel^©) at 5 milliliter per kilogram (ml/kg), were gave by esophageal probe directly to anterior segment of esophagus. The projections used for the tests: lateral left-to-right and ventral-dorsal, without Bucky table. Parameters used: 50/55 kV, 0.025 seconds of exposure and 100 mA. animal were exposed to shots 5 minutes before the administration of contrast, right after it, five, ten, 20, 30, 45, 70, 85, 120, 180 and 240 minutes after. All projections suffered individual evaluation.

Results

At this study, we used an average dose of 1.8 ml barium sulfate 100% per animal, obtaining complete fulfilling of esophagus, pro-ventricle an ventricle right after administration. Intestines and cloaca were fulfilled in sequence. Complete emptying occurred 210 minutes later at most animals. The table of contents shows time of fulfilling and emptying in each anatomical structure of gastrointestinal tract.

Table 1. The table of contents shows time of fulfilling and emptying in each anatomical structure of gastrointestinal tract.

Discussion and Conclusions

Problems on managing and increase on population of captive Ramphastus dicolorus have been the most important factors on rising number cases of diseases. Among all, those that affects digestive system are most common, this justifies search for alternative and complimentary diagnostic tools. Contrast radiographs of Ramphastus dicolorus, in comparison with other birds and dogs, does not show great variation about time of execution, efficacy and cost. This study is set to be a data base for future studies and diagnostics, although in spite of few animals used, it shouldn't be used as standard data for Ramphastus dicolorus.

References

1.  Ticer JW. 1987. Técnicas Radiológicas na Prática Veterinária, p. 352.

2.  Sick H. 1997. Ornitologia Brasileira, p. 490-518.

3.  Rupley AE. 1999. Manual de Clínica Aviária, p. 453-455.

4.  Hudson JA, Brawner Jr WR, Holland M, Blaik MA. 2003. Radiologia Abdominal para o Clínico de Pequenos Animais, p. 65.

5.  Cubas ZS. 2006. Tratado de Animais Selvagens, p. 432.

6.  Han CM, Hurd CD. 2007. Diagnóstico por Imagem para a Prática Veterinária, p. 128.