07/09/2026
10 Known Toxicities of Emus
As summer approaches and emu chicks are growing and exploring, here are some things to watch out for:
1. Medicated feed and dewormers: Monensin (Rumensin) and Amprolium (Corid) are used as anti-parasitics and are also found in some medicated poultry, goat, sheep, cattle and other animal feeds. They have been associated with myositis (muscle inflammation and muscle weakness) and malabsorption syndrome in emus. Monensin and Amprolium also block the uptake of thiamine (B1) which is known to cause wry neck (also known as crooked neck, twisted neck, or stargazing) and splay leg (straddle leg) in hatchlings of parent birds that ingest these products and emus that are directly fed medicated feeds or given some dewormers.
2. Goat feed: Ingestion of goat feed high in copper (>40ppm) can cause copper poisoning and result in CNS (central nervous system) signs, limb weakness, lethargy, regurgitation, bright green f***s and death.
3. Insect stings: Young chicks are sensitive to insect stings, and death can occur if chicks are stung in the oral cavity by red ants or wasps.
4. Blister Beetles: Cantharidin from blister beetles has resulted in hemorrhagic gastritis and enteritis in emus.
5. Cigarette butts: Ni****ne from cigarette butts has resulted in CNS signs.
6. Toxic plants: Plants that contain solanine (eg, silverleaf, nightshade) result in vomiting and diarrhea, whereas plants that contain high levels of nitrates result in dyspnea and CNS signs.
7. Selenium poisoning: Exogenously administered selenium has resulted in acute selenium toxicity in ratites, causing pulmonary edema, congestion, and death.
8. Ammonia toxicity is seen in birds housed in poorly ventilated barns and results in clinical signs of corneal edema, epiphora, and dyspnea.
9. Young ratite chicks housed with chickens are susceptible to corneal edema, epiphora, dyspnea, and pneumonia.
10. Metallic (iron, zinc, lead and copper) proventricular foreign bodies (ex: screws, bolts, batteries, jewelry, fishing weights, etc) are a potential source of heavy metal toxicity and can result in CNS signs, limb weakness, lethargy, regurgitation, bright green f***s and death.
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual
Definitions
CNS signs can include: Lack of coordination, tremors, walking backward, stumbling, imbalance, leg paralysis, twisting of the head and unthriftiness
Corneal edema: Swelling of the eye
Dyspnea: Difficult or labored breathing
Epiphora: Wet eyes
Exogenously: Not from a natural food source
Malabsorption syndrome: A condition that prevents absorption of nutrients through the small intestine
Myositis: Muscle inflammation and muscle weakness
Proventriculus: The division of the stomach in birds that secretes digestive enzymes
Pulmonary edema: Excess fluid in the lungs
Unthriftiness: Failure to grow or develop normally
