Common Ostrich Diseases & Health Problems: Symptoms and Treatment

Quick Answer: Common ostrich diseases and health problems include Newcastle disease, avian influenza, avian pox, hemorrhagic enteritis, parasitic infections such as wireworm and ticks, and musculoskeletal problems such as osteomyelitis and developmental leg disorders. Young ostriches are particularly vulnerable to infectious disease, while adults can also develop reproductive, digestive, parasitic, and injury-related problems. Because many ostrich diseases can produce similar symptoms, early detection, veterinary diagnosis, and good biosecurity are essential.

Ostrich farming can be a rewarding business, but keeping a flock healthy is one of the most important parts of running a successful operation. Ostriches are generally hardy birds, yet they can still develop viral, bacterial, parasitic, digestive, reproductive, and musculoskeletal health problems.

Some diseases can spread quickly through a flock, particularly among young birds. Others are more closely linked to nutrition, hygiene, housing, incubation practices, injuries, or parasites. Recognizing the warning signs early can therefore make a major difference in both bird welfare and farm productivity.

This guide covers the most important ostrich diseases and health problems, their common symptoms, how they are diagnosed, treatment approaches, prevention strategies, and the situations in which a veterinarian or animal-health authority should be contacted.

Veterinary note: This article is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified veterinarian. Medication choice, dosage, route of administration, and withdrawal requirements should be determined by a veterinarian familiar with ratites and the regulations in your country.

What Diseases and Health Problems Affect Ostriches?

Ostrich health problems can be divided into several broad categories:

• Viral diseases, including Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and avian pox
• Bacterial and parasitic diseases, including hemorrhagic enteritis, wireworm, and tick infestations
• Leg, joint, and bone problems, including osteomyelitis and developmental abnormalities
• Chick-specific health problems, including omphalitis and developmental leg disorders
• Digestive and foreign-body problems, which can be particularly important in young birds
• Reproductive problems, including egg binding

Young ostriches are generally more vulnerable to infectious disease than adults, particularly during the first months of life. At the same time, not every sick ostrich has an infectious disease. Nutritional deficiencies, poor housing, inadequate exercise, inappropriate substrate, overcrowding, injuries, and other management problems can also cause serious health issues.

This is why identifying a disease from a single symptom can be misleading. A bird that is weak, lame, or losing weight may have several possible underlying conditions, and veterinary diagnosis is often necessary to determine the real cause.

Ostrich Viral Diseases

Viral diseases are among the most serious health threats in ostrich farming because some can spread rapidly through a flock and may have no specific treatment once clinical disease develops.

For these diseases, prevention, biosecurity, early detection, and rapid veterinary intervention are often more important than treatment after symptoms appear.

Newcastle Disease

Newcastle disease is a serious contagious viral disease that affects many species of birds. The severity and clinical signs can vary depending on the virus strain, the age of the bird, and other factors.

In ostriches, possible signs include:

• Loss of balance
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Tremors
• Stumbling or abnormal movement
• Twisting or abnormal positioning of the head and neck
• Weakness and reduced activity
• Sudden death in severe cases

Neurological signs can be particularly alarming, but they do not automatically mean that an ostrich has Newcastle disease. Other infections, injuries, nutritional problems, toxins, and neurological conditions can produce similar signs.

There is no specific treatment that eliminates Newcastle disease once a bird is infected. Management therefore focuses on veterinary diagnosis, isolation and movement controls where appropriate, strict biosecurity, and vaccination programs when suitable and legally available.

Because Newcastle disease can have major consequences for poultry and other bird populations, suspected cases may also be subject to official reporting requirements. In the United States, virulent Newcastle disease is an immediately reportable disease under the USDA APHIS animal-health framework.

Avian Influenza

Avian influenza refers to infections caused by influenza A viruses that can affect birds. Highly pathogenic avian influenza can be particularly devastating because it may cause severe disease and high mortality.

Possible signs in affected birds include:

• Sudden death
• Reduced appetite
• Lethargy
• Respiratory difficulty
• Reduced activity
• Neurological abnormalities
• Other signs of systemic illness

Some ostrich farming sources describe greenish urine as a possible sign of avian influenza. However, unusual urine coloration is not specific enough to diagnose avian influenza on its own. It should be considered alongside other clinical signs and the overall situation in the flock.

There is no simple farm-level treatment that can be relied upon to cure highly pathogenic avian influenza. If avian influenza is suspected, affected birds should be isolated where possible and a veterinarian or appropriate animal-health authority should be contacted promptly.

In the United States, avian influenza is included in the national animal disease reporting framework. Requirements and response procedures can vary by disease status and jurisdiction, so farmers should follow the instructions of their local animal-health authorities.

Avian Pox

Avian pox is a viral disease that can cause visible lesions on exposed parts of a bird’s body.

Common signs may include:

• Wart-like or crusty nodules
• Brown or swollen lesions around the eyes
• Lesions around the corners of the beak
• Difficulty eating or drinking when lesions affect the mouth
• Reduced activity or body condition in more severe cases

Avian pox is often managed through supportive care and control of the factors that allow it to spread. When lesions interfere with eating or drinking, veterinary assessment may be necessary to prevent dehydration or loss of condition.

Vector control can be an important part of prevention because biting insects can contribute to the transmission of avian pox viruses. Appropriate vaccination may also be part of a prevention program where a suitable vaccine is available and recommended for the local production system.

The severity of avian pox can vary considerably between birds. A bird with a few localized skin lesions may require very different management from one with extensive lesions affecting the mouth, eyes, or other critical areas.

Bacterial and Parasitic Ostrich Diseases

Not every important ostrich health problem is caused by a virus. Bacterial infections and parasites can also cause significant illness, poor growth, reduced productivity, and death, particularly when birds are young, stressed, injured, or exposed repeatedly to contaminated environments.

Some parasitic problems can also become chronic rather than causing obvious symptoms immediately. Regular monitoring is therefore important even when the flock appears healthy.

Hemorrhagic Enteritis

Hemorrhagic enteritis is an important disease of young ostriches and can progress rapidly. It is particularly associated with chicks during the early months of life and can cause sudden illness and death in severe cases.

Possible warning signs include:

• Sudden weakness
• Reduced appetite
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea or abnormal droppings
• Rapid deterioration
• Sudden death in severe cases

Because several gastrointestinal diseases can produce similar symptoms, sudden mortality in young ostriches should not automatically be attributed to hemorrhagic enteritis without veterinary investigation.

Prevention is particularly important because effective vaccination programs may be available for hemorrhagic enteritis depending on the region and production system. Good hygiene, appropriate stocking density, clean water, proper nutrition, and careful monitoring of young birds should also form part of the overall prevention strategy.

When several chicks become sick or die within a short period, veterinary diagnosis is important to distinguish hemorrhagic enteritis from other infectious or management-related causes.

Ostrich Wireworm

The ostrich wireworm, Libyostrongylus douglassii, is an important gastrointestinal nematode and one of the most economically significant internal parasites affecting ostriches.

Wireworm infections can interfere with growth and body condition, particularly when birds are exposed repeatedly over time.

Possible signs include:

• Poor growth
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Reduced body condition
• Reduced productivity
• Gastrointestinal problems

Some infected birds may show relatively few obvious symptoms at first, which makes routine parasite monitoring particularly useful on farms where ostriches have regular access to pasture.

Diagnosis is commonly supported by fecal examination, including identification of characteristic trichostrongyloid-type eggs.

The MSD Veterinary Manual lists ivermectin at 0.2 mg/kg or fenbendazole at 15 mg/kg as treatment options for ostrich wireworm. However, these figures should not be treated as a universal farm prescription. The appropriate drug, formulation, route of administration, treatment schedule, withdrawal period, and legal requirements can vary by country and production system, so treatment should be determined with veterinary guidance.

Long-term control is not simply a matter of repeatedly giving deworming medication. Pasture management, parasite monitoring, appropriate treatment intervals, and reducing environmental reinfection pressure are all important parts of a sustainable control program.

Ticks and Other External Parasites

Ostriches can be affected by several types of external parasites, including ticks, lice, and feather or quill mites.

These parasites can cause direct irritation and skin or feather damage, while ticks are particularly important because some species can also transmit infectious diseases.

Possible signs of an external parasite infestation include:

• Visible ticks or other parasites
• Skin irritation
• Scratching or increased irritation
• Feather damage
• Skin lesions
• Poor body condition in severe cases
• Restlessness or abnormal behavior

Ticks deserve particular attention on ostrich farms because heavy infestations can damage the skin and create opportunities for secondary infections. Certain tick species can also transmit pathogens that affect both animals and humans.

Management should focus on regular inspection of birds, appropriate parasite control, and environmental management to reduce reinfestation. Chemical treatments should be selected and used according to veterinary guidance and the product’s approved directions.

Good farm hygiene alone will not necessarily eliminate ticks because their life cycle can involve the wider environment. For that reason, effective tick control usually requires both bird-level treatment and environmental management.

Bacterial Infections and Secondary Infections

Bacterial infections can occur as primary diseases or develop after another problem has damaged the bird’s tissues.

For example, an open wound caused by an injury can provide an entry point for bacteria. A parasite infestation can also damage the skin and create opportunities for secondary infection.

Possible signs of a bacterial infection include:

• Localized swelling
• Heat around an affected area
• Pus or abnormal discharge
• Fever or systemic illness
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Progressive lameness when the legs are affected

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection and may require bacterial culture, antimicrobial sensitivity testing, wound management, or other veterinary diagnostics.

Antibiotics should not be selected simply because a bird appears sick. Viral diseases, parasites, injuries, nutritional problems, and other conditions can produce similar symptoms, while unnecessary antimicrobial use can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.

For that reason, persistent or severe bacterial infection should be evaluated by a veterinarian rather than managed through repeated empirical antibiotic use.

Ostrich Leg, Joint, and Bone Problems

Leg and joint problems are important health concerns in ostriches because these birds place considerable mechanical stress on their legs as they grow and move. A relatively minor injury can sometimes develop into chronic lameness, joint damage, or a deeper infection if it is not addressed early.

Not every ostrich with a leg problem has an infectious disease. Lameness can result from trauma, developmental abnormalities, unsuitable flooring or substrate, nutritional problems, excessive growth, or bacterial infection.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone and can become a serious complication of an injury or wound.

In ostriches, the legs are particularly vulnerable because of the physical demands placed on them. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus can enter through damaged tissue and eventually infect deeper structures, including bone.

Possible signs include:

• Persistent limping
• Swelling around the affected area
• Increased warmth or heat
• Pain or reluctance to move
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Reduced weight-bearing on the affected leg
• Progressive or chronic lameness

An ostrich that develops mild lameness after an obvious injury may initially have a simple soft-tissue problem. However, persistent lameness accompanied by swelling or heat is more concerning and warrants veterinary examination.

Treatment depends on the severity and location of the infection and may involve wound management, diagnostic imaging, bacterial culture, antimicrobial treatment, or other veterinary intervention.

The important point for farmers is that osteomyelitis is not something that should be treated by simply watching the bird for several days. Once a bacterial infection reaches bone, treatment can become considerably more difficult.

Spraddle Leg and Developmental Leg Problems

Some ostrich leg problems begin during growth rather than developing from an infection.

Young ostriches can develop abnormalities involving the hips, knees, femur, toes, and lower limbs. Spraddle leg is one example in which the legs move abnormally outward, making it difficult for the chick to stand and walk normally.

Other developmental problems can include:

• Abnormal limb positioning
• Rolled toes
• Abnormal limb rotation
• Weak or unstable joints
• Difficulty standing
• Progressive lameness

Several management factors can contribute to these problems. Inadequate exercise, inappropriate substrate, restricted space, excessive growth, excessive body weight, and nutritional imbalances can all interfere with normal musculoskeletal development.

This is particularly important in rapidly growing ostrich chicks. Providing sufficient space for movement and an appropriate walking surface is not simply a comfort issue. It can directly affect skeletal and muscular development.

MSD Veterinary Manual emphasizes the importance of exercise, suitable substrate, adequate space, and appropriate growth management for normal leg development in ostrich chicks.

Early recognition is important because some developmental abnormalities may be easier to manage while a chick is still young. Advanced deformities can become much more difficult to correct and may permanently affect mobility.

Injuries, Lameness, and Joint Problems

Ostriches can suffer leg injuries from collisions, falls, fencing, aggressive interactions, unsuitable surfaces, or other farm hazards.

A sudden change in gait should therefore be treated as a health warning rather than simply a temporary inconvenience.

When examining a lame ostrich, farmers should look for:

• Open wounds
• Swelling
• Heat
• Visible deformity
• Bruising
• Abnormal joint position
• Foreign objects
• Difficulty bearing weight
• Signs of infection

A small wound can become a much bigger problem if bacteria enter the damaged tissue. This is one reason prompt wound care is important, particularly when the injury occurs around a joint or weight-bearing part of the leg.

Persistent lameness also deserves veterinary attention even when no obvious wound is visible. Joint problems, fractures, tendon injuries, developmental abnormalities, nutritional problems, and infections can all produce similar outward signs.

Why Ostrich Leg Problems Should Be Taken Seriously

For an ostrich, healthy legs are essential for normal feeding, movement, social behavior, and protection from hazards. A bird that cannot move normally may have difficulty reaching food or water and can become increasingly vulnerable to additional injuries.

For farmers, the practical rule is simple:

Any ostrich with persistent lameness, swelling, heat, or difficulty standing should be examined promptly.

Early intervention can sometimes prevent a manageable injury from progressing into chronic lameness, joint damage, or bone infection.

Common Health Problems in Ostrich Chicks

Ostrich chicks require particularly careful management during their first weeks and months of life. Problems during this period can affect growth, skeletal development, digestion, and survival.

Not every chick health problem is caused by an infectious disease. Incubation conditions, hatchery sanitation, nutrition, housing, exercise, temperature, and access to inappropriate materials can all influence chick health.

Omphalitis and Yolk Sac Infection

Omphalitis is an infection involving the navel and yolk sac of a newly hatched chick. It is generally associated with bacterial contamination during or after hatching.

Possible signs include:

• Swelling around the navel
• Redness or inflammation
• Discharge from the navel
• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Reduced appetite
• Poor growth
• Increased mortality in severe cases

The condition can develop when bacteria gain access through an incompletely healed navel or contaminated eggshell, incubator, hatchery equipment, or brooding environment.

Treatment depends on the organism involved and the severity of the infection. A veterinarian may recommend diagnostic testing and appropriate antimicrobial treatment in selected cases, but severely affected chicks may respond poorly to treatment.

This makes prevention particularly important.

Good prevention practices include:

• Thorough sanitation of incubators and hatchery equipment
• Proper handling and storage of hatching eggs
• Keeping eggs and hatching areas clean
• Maintaining appropriate incubation conditions
• Keeping brooding areas clean and dry
• Monitoring newly hatched chicks closely

The goal should not simply be to treat omphalitis after it appears. Good hatchery hygiene reduces the opportunity for the infection to develop in the first place.

Digestive and Foreign-Body Problems

Young ostriches can also develop digestive problems after ingesting inappropriate materials.

Curious chicks may swallow objects such as stones, pieces of metal, plastic, or other foreign materials found in their environment. Depending on the material and location, this can contribute to gastrointestinal obstruction or proventricular impaction.

Possible warning signs include:

• Reduced appetite
• Poor growth
• Lethargy
• Reduced or abnormal droppings
• Abdominal enlargement
• Difficulty moving normally
• Progressive weakness

A suspected foreign-body problem should not be treated by randomly changing the bird’s diet or giving medication without knowing what has been ingested.

Veterinary examination may be necessary to determine whether an obstruction or impaction is present. Depending on the suspected problem, diagnostic imaging or other procedures may be required.

Prevention is largely environmental. Farmers should regularly inspect chick areas and remove accessible objects that could be swallowed. Feed and mineral sources should also be managed appropriately for the birds’ age and production system.

Nutrition and Growth-Related Health Problems

Rapid growth can place considerable demands on the developing skeleton of an ostrich chick.

Poor nutrition can contribute to weak growth, poor body condition, abnormal development, or other health problems, while excessive growth combined with inadequate exercise can place additional stress on developing legs and joints.

Signs that a chick’s growth or nutritional status may need attention include:

• Poor weight gain
• Weakness
• Poor feather development
• Abnormal posture
• Reduced activity
• Repeated leg problems
• Uneven growth between chicks

Nutrition should therefore be considered alongside housing and exercise when investigating recurring health problems in young ostriches. A well-balanced ostrich nutrition and diet program is essential for supporting healthy growth and preventing nutrition-related developmental problems.

A recurring health problem in several chicks should prompt farmers to review the overall feeding program rather than treating each bird as an isolated case.

Reproductive Health Problems

Breeding ostriches can develop health problems that are not related to infectious disease. Reproductive complications can affect individual hens and, in severe cases, may threaten their lives.

Good nutrition, appropriate body condition, adequate access to water, and proper breeding management all contribute to reproductive health.

Egg Binding

Egg binding occurs when a female ostrich is unable to pass an egg normally.

Possible signs include:

• Repeated straining
• Abdominal enlargement
• Lethargy
• Reduced activity
• Difficulty walking
• Repeated attempts to lay without producing an egg
• Spending unusually long periods sitting or resting

Egg binding can become serious if the egg remains trapped for an extended period or causes additional complications.

A hen showing persistent straining, abdominal swelling, severe lethargy, or difficulty moving should receive prompt veterinary attention.

Farmers should avoid attempting to manually remove an egg or using improvised treatments without veterinary guidance. The correct approach depends on the location of the egg, the condition of the bird, and the underlying reason the egg cannot be passed.

Supporting Reproductive Health

Preventing reproductive complications starts with good overall flock management.

Important factors include:

• Providing a nutritionally appropriate breeding diet
• Maintaining good body condition
• Ensuring reliable access to clean water
• Monitoring breeding hens regularly
• Reducing unnecessary stress
• Providing suitable nesting and breeding areas
• Investigating repeated reproductive problems

A single case of egg binding should be treated as an individual veterinary problem, but repeated reproductive problems within a flock may indicate an underlying nutritional, management, or environmental issue that deserves further investigation.

How Are Ostrich Diseases Diagnosed?

Recognizing symptoms is the first step, but symptoms alone are rarely enough to identify an ostrich disease with confidence.

Several different conditions can produce similar signs. For example, an ostrich that is losing weight may have a parasitic infection, nutritional problem, digestive disorder, or another underlying condition. Likewise, neurological signs such as loss of balance can have several possible causes.

A veterinarian will usually consider several factors when investigating a sick ostrich.

Age of the Bird

The age of the affected bird can immediately narrow the list of possible causes.

Very young chicks are particularly vulnerable to problems involving the yolk sac, hatchery hygiene, nutrition, development, and certain infectious diseases. Older birds may be more likely to experience reproductive complications, chronic parasitic problems, injuries, or other adult health conditions.

Flock History

The pattern of illness within the flock is also important.

A veterinarian may want to know:

• How many birds are affected
• When the first signs appeared
• Whether the problem is spreading
• Whether any birds have died suddenly
• Any new birds that were recently introduced
• Recent changes to feed or water sources
• The flock’s recent vaccination history
• Any recent parasite-control treatments
• Recent exposure to other poultry or wild birds

A single sick bird and ten birds becoming sick within 24 hours can point toward very different problems.

Physical Examination

A physical examination can provide important clues about the underlying problem.

The veterinarian may assess:

• Body condition
• Breathing
• Hydration
• Gait and ability to stand
• Neurological function
• Skin and feathers
• Eyes and mouth
• Droppings
• Abdomen
• Legs and joints
• Temperature and other clinical findings where appropriate

Laboratory Testing

When infectious disease or parasites are suspected, laboratory testing may be necessary.

Depending on the suspected condition, diagnostic work may include:

• Fecal examination for parasites
• Bacterial culture
• Antimicrobial sensitivity testing
• PCR or other molecular tests
• Serology
• Examination of tissue samples
• Postmortem examination after unexplained death

For diseases such as Newcastle disease or avian influenza, laboratory confirmation is particularly important because clinical signs alone cannot reliably distinguish them from every other possible cause.

Postmortem Examination

When an ostrich dies unexpectedly, a postmortem examination can provide valuable information about the cause of death.

This is particularly important when:

• More than one bird has died
• Several birds are showing similar symptoms
• Young chicks are dying unexpectedly
• A contagious disease is suspected
• The cause of death is unclear

Finding the cause of one unexplained death can sometimes help prevent additional deaths throughout the flock.

Ostrich Diseases and Symptoms: Quick Reference

The table below provides a quick overview of the main diseases and health problems discussed in this guide. It is intended as a reference tool rather than a diagnostic chart.

Disease or Health Problem	Common Signs	Typical Diagnostic or Treatment Approach	Main Prevention
Newcastle disease	Loss of balance, neurological signs, weakness, sudden death	Veterinary diagnosis, laboratory confirmation, disease-control response	Biosecurity and appropriate vaccination
Avian influenza	Sudden death, respiratory or systemic signs, reduced activity	Immediate veterinary and animal-health response, laboratory testing	Strict biosecurity
Avian pox	Nodules or crusty lesions around eyes and beak	Supportive care and veterinary assessment	Vector control and vaccination where available
Hemorrhagic enteritis	Sudden illness or death in young birds	Veterinary diagnosis and preventive vaccination where available	Vaccination and good management
Wireworm	Poor growth, weight loss, weakness, gastrointestinal signs	Fecal examination and veterinary-directed antiparasitic treatment	Parasite monitoring and pasture management
Ticks and external parasites	Skin irritation, lesions, feather damage, visible parasites	Appropriate parasite-control program	Regular inspection and environmental control
Osteomyelitis	Limping, swelling, heat, pain, reduced weight-bearing	Veterinary examination, diagnostic testing, targeted treatment	Prompt wound care
Omphalitis	Swollen or infected navel, weakness, lethargy	Veterinary assessment and management of infection	Hatchery and incubation sanitation
Spraddle leg	Abnormal leg position, difficulty standing or walking	Early assessment and management of underlying factors	Exercise, suitable substrate, controlled growth
Egg binding	Straining, abdominal swelling, lethargy	Prompt veterinary intervention	Appropriate reproductive and nutritional management
Foreign-body or proventricular impaction	Poor appetite, reduced droppings, abdominal enlargement	Veterinary examination and possible imaging	Prevent access to dangerous foreign materials

How Are Ostrich Diseases Treated?

There is no single treatment for ostrich disease because the appropriate approach depends entirely on the underlying cause.

The same symptom can require completely different treatment depending on whether it is caused by a virus, bacterium, parasite, injury, nutritional problem, or developmental abnormality.

Viral Diseases

Many important viral diseases have no specific cure.

Treatment may therefore focus on supportive care, isolation, disease containment, and prevention of further spread. In suspected cases of serious reportable diseases, farmers should follow the instructions of their veterinarian and the relevant animal-health authorities rather than attempting to manage the outbreak independently.

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections may require antimicrobial treatment, but the appropriate medication depends on the organism involved, the location of the infection, and the condition of the bird.

Where practical, bacterial culture and antimicrobial sensitivity testing can help veterinarians select an appropriate treatment.

Using antibiotics simply because an ostrich appears sick is not a reliable strategy. Viral diseases, parasites, injuries, and nutritional disorders can produce similar symptoms, while unnecessary antimicrobial use can contribute to resistance.

Parasitic Infections

Parasitic infections can often be treated with appropriate antiparasitic medications.

However, effective parasite control involves more than treating an individual bird. Reinfection can occur when parasite stages remain in the environment, particularly on pasture.

For wireworm and other gastrointestinal parasites, a veterinarian may recommend a combination of:

• Fecal monitoring
• Appropriate antiparasitic treatment
• Pasture management
• Strategic treatment intervals
• Monitoring for reinfection

Repeated treatment without monitoring can also contribute to drug resistance, making long-term parasite management more difficult.

Injuries and Bone Infections

Lameness caused by an injury requires a different approach from lameness caused by osteomyelitis or a developmental abnormality.

Depending on the problem, treatment may involve:

• Wound cleaning and management
• Protection from further injury
• Diagnostic imaging
• Bacterial culture
• Antimicrobial treatment
• Pain management
• Veterinary intervention

The sooner the underlying cause is identified, the better the chance of preventing chronic mobility problems.

Chick and Management-Related Problems

Some ostrich health problems are primarily caused or worsened by environmental and management factors.

Examples include:

• Inadequate exercise
• Unsuitable substrate
• Overcrowding
• Poor hatchery sanitation
• Nutritional imbalance
• Excessive growth
• Access to foreign materials

In these cases, medication alone will not solve the problem.

The underlying management issue must also be corrected.

The Most Important Treatment Rule

Treat the cause, not just the symptom.

A limping ostrich may have a wound, fracture, joint problem, developmental abnormality, or bone infection. An ostrich losing weight may have parasites, poor nutrition, digestive disease, or another underlying condition.

Treating the visible symptom without determining its cause can delay effective treatment and allow the underlying problem to become more serious.

When the diagnosis is uncertain, veterinary examination is usually a better first step than trying multiple medications without a clear diagnosis.

How to Prevent Ostrich Diseases: Biosecurity Checklist

Because many serious infectious diseases are difficult to treat once they become established, prevention should be the foundation of ostrich health management.

A good biosecurity program does not have to be complicated, but it needs to be consistent. Small gaps in sanitation, quarantine, visitor control, or parasite management can create opportunities for disease to enter or spread through a flock.

A practical ostrich farm biosecurity checklist should include:

Action / Area	Description	Status
Quarantine new birds	Keep newly purchased or returning birds separate from the main flock for an appropriate period and monitor them for signs of illness.	[ ]
Isolate sick birds	Separate birds showing suspicious symptoms as soon as possible, particularly when contagious disease is a possibility.	[ ]
Limit unnecessary visitors	Keep a record of farm visitors and restrict access to areas containing young or breeding birds.	[ ]
Clean and disinfect equipment	Equipment, footwear, transport areas, and other items that move between groups can carry infectious material.	[ ]
Avoid sharing equipment between flocks	If equipment must be shared, clean and disinfect it appropriately before moving it between groups.	[ ]
Control external parasites	Regularly inspect birds for ticks, lice, and other parasites and maintain an appropriate control program.	[ ]
Maintain clean water sources	Drinking water and water equipment should be kept clean and protected from contamination.	[ ]
Keep living areas clean and dry	Good sanitation can reduce exposure to pathogens and help identify abnormal droppings or other signs of illness.	[ ]
Avoid overcrowding	Crowded conditions increase stress and can make disease transmission easier.	[ ]
Provide appropriate space and exercise	Growing ostriches need sufficient room to move and develop strong bones and muscles.	[ ]
Maintain hatchery hygiene	Incubators, egg-handling equipment, and hatching areas require careful sanitation to reduce problems such as omphalitis.	[ ]
Monitor birds every day	Changes in appetite, activity, gait, droppings, breathing, or behavior can provide an early warning.	[ ]
Keep health records	Record illnesses, deaths, vaccinations, parasite treatments, new birds, and significant management changes.	[ ]
Work with a veterinarian	Establish vaccination, parasite-control, and disease-monitoring programs appropriate for the farm and local regulations.	[ ]

These practices protect more than the health of individual birds. Disease outbreaks can also create major financial losses through mortality, slower growth, veterinary costs, reduced production, and movement restrictions.

When Should You Call a Veterinarian?

Not every unusual behavior requires an emergency veterinary visit, but certain signs should never be ignored.

Contact a veterinarian promptly if you notice:

• Sudden or unexplained death
• Several birds becoming sick within a short period
• Severe weakness or inability to stand
• Loss of balance or other neurological signs
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent or worsening lameness
• Swelling or unusual heat in a leg or joint
• Severe or persistent diarrhea
• Significant or unexplained weight loss
• Unusual urine color together with other signs of illness
• A hen repeatedly straining without producing an egg
• A chick with a swollen, inflamed, or infected navel
• Rapid deterioration in a young bird

When Multiple Birds Are Affected

One sick ostrich may have an individual problem such as an injury or reproductive complication.

Several birds becoming sick at the same time is different.

A sudden increase in illness or mortality can indicate:

• A contagious infectious disease
• Contaminated feed or water
• Toxic exposure
• Parasite problems
• Environmental stress
• A major management issue

In these situations, avoid moving birds between groups and seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

If a serious contagious disease is suspected, the priority is to contain the potential spread while waiting for professional assessment.

Reportable Ostrich Diseases: What U.S. Farmers Need to Know

Some animal diseases have legal reporting requirements because they can threaten other farms, wildlife populations, animal health, trade, and the wider livestock industry.

In the United States, Newcastle disease and avian influenza are included in the National List of Reportable Animal Diseases (NLRAD) maintained by USDA APHIS. Reporting requirements and response procedures depend on the specific disease and circumstances.

Virulent Newcastle disease is classified as an immediately reportable foreign animal disease under the APHIS case definition. Suspected cases require prompt notification through the appropriate animal-health channels.

Avian influenza is also subject to official disease surveillance and reporting requirements in the United States, particularly when highly pathogenic avian influenza is suspected.

The practical rule for U.S. ostrich farmers is simple:

If a serious reportable disease is suspected, do not wait for the flock to deteriorate before contacting a veterinarian or animal-health authority.

Veterinarians and animal-health officials can determine which tests are appropriate and whether the situation meets the official case definition.

Farmers outside the United States should follow the reporting requirements of their own national or regional animal-health authority because regulations vary between countries.

Why Reporting Matters

Reporting is not simply an administrative requirement.

Early reporting can help:

• Confirm or rule out serious diseases
• Protect neighboring farms
• Limit disease spread
• Trigger appropriate surveillance
• Protect domestic poultry and wildlife
• Reduce potential trade and movement disruptions

It also helps animal-health authorities understand where disease threats are occurring and respond before they become much larger outbreaks.

Important: A symptom such as sudden death, neurological signs, or unusual urine color does not automatically mean that a bird has a reportable disease. Official reporting and disease-control decisions should be based on veterinary assessment, diagnostic testing, and the applicable regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ostrich Diseases

Final Thoughts: Keeping Ostriches Healthy

Healthy ostriches are the foundation of a productive and sustainable flock.

The most important lesson is that early recognition is often more valuable than treatment after a disease has become advanced. A bird that stops eating, becomes unusually inactive, starts limping, develops swelling, or shows neurological changes should not simply be monitored indefinitely in the hope that the problem will disappear.

At the flock level, sudden illness or unexplained deaths deserve even greater attention. Contagious diseases such as Newcastle disease and avian influenza can spread rapidly, making early veterinary assessment and appropriate disease-control measures essential.

At the same time, not every health problem is an infectious disease. Nutrition, exercise, housing, hatchery hygiene, parasites, injuries, and reproductive management can all influence ostrich health.

For farmers, the most effective approach is therefore a combination of daily observation, good nutrition, proper housing, parasite control, biosecurity, vaccination where appropriate, accurate record-keeping, and a strong relationship with a qualified veterinarian.

A healthy flock does not happen by accident. It is the result of consistent management long before the first obvious symptom appears.