Mortality of Rheas caused by a Synchamus trachea infection

Over the last 3 years, chronic respiratory distress occurred occasionally in young birds on a farm with about one hundred Rheas americana. The sick Rheas died after 1 to 2 months. Post-mortem examination of a 7-week-old Rhea showed severe tracheitis. This tracheitis was caused by Synchamus trachea worms, which were present in large numbers. Therapy with fenbendazole cured the respiratory distress of the other Rheas within a few days.