[The mystery of the staggering turkeys: a differential diagnostic puzzle]

Over a short period of time, turkeys of various ages from three flocks were sent in with a history of paralysis. In the first necropsies there were no clear signs of the cause of the paralysis. On clinical examination of the flocks it was noted that the birds staggered as if drunk and that standing caused them pain. It was only with the last case that it became clear that the cause was rickets. Analysis of the feed demonstrated that level of vitamin D3 was too low, possibly even in the premix.