Hemocromatose em aves da família ramphastidae

This article reviews and updates existent data related to hemochromatosis in birds of the family ramphastidae (toucan and toucanet). This hard-to-diagnose disease is caused by excessive iron storage in the organism. It affects mainly hepatic tissue, does not show specific clinical signs, and involves captive birds of the aforementioned species. Current literature was used in order to review the physiology of iron metabolism, etiology, pathology, clinical aspects, diagnosis, and treatment of the hemochromatosis.