Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart failure from valve disease in a parakeet treated with digoxin
By Oglesbee, B L & Lehmkuhl, L·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2001·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Congestive heart failure associated with myxomatous degeneration of the left atrioventricular valve in a parakeet.
Plain-English summary
A 27-year-old Indian ringneck parakeet was brought in for breathing problems during exercise. The vet found a heart murmur and signs of heart failure, including an enlarged heart and fluid buildup in the lungs and abdomen. Treatment with digoxin and furosemide helped the bird feel better for about 10 months. Sadly, a postmortem exam showed severe heart issues, including valve degeneration, which ultimately led to the bird's passing.
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Abstract
Congestive heart failure was diagnosed in a 27-year-old Indian ringneck parakeet with exercise-induced dyspnea. A grade IV/VI holosystolic murmur that radiated to the right sternal area was auscultated over the left side of the sternum. Radiography revealed progressive cardiomegaly, hepatomegaly, pulmonary edema, and accumulation of fluid within the coelomic cavity. Echocardiography revealed biatrial enlargement and enlargement of the right ventricle. Doppler recording revealed high velocity left and right atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Treatment with digoxin and furosemide alleviated clinical signs for approximately 10 months. Gross postmortem examination revealed cardiac enlargement and eccentric hypertrophy of both ventricles on cross-section. Pulmonary congestion and edema, hepatomegaly, hepatic congestion, and ascites were also evident. Histologic examination of the heart revealed myxomatous degeneration of the left atrioventricular valve, muscular hypertrophy of the right atrioventricular valve, and biventricular chronic myofiber degeneration and necrosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11201563/