Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Moluccan cockatoo with brain infection from raccoon roundworm
By Wolf, Karen N et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2007·Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Baylisascaris procyonis infection in a Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A female Moluccan cockatoo was brought in after showing signs of weakness and trouble coordinating her movements for 10 days. She had been in contact with a cage that housed juvenile raccoons shortly before her symptoms began. Despite receiving supportive care, the bird sadly passed away a week later. A closer examination revealed that the cause of her neurological issues was a roundworm infection from raccoons, which had migrated to her brain and heart.
People also search for: cockatoo weakness · bird neurological problems · Baylisascaris procyonis infection in birds · raccoon roundworm symptoms in birds
Abstract
An adult female Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) was evaluated for a 10-day history of progressive ataxia and weakness. The bird had been exposed intermittently over a 3-day period to a cage that had previously housed juvenile raccoons. Results of diagnostic tests were inconclusive and, despite supportive care, the bird died 7 days after the initial presentation. Histopathologic examination revealed a single nematode larva in the midbrain that was consistent with Baylisascaris species and multifocal granulomas in the left ventricle of the heart. The neurologic disease in this bird was attributed to encephalitis caused by neural larval migration of the raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18087940/