Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cockatiel with diabetes from chronic herpesvirus pancreas infection
By Phalen, David N et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2007·Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Endocrine pancreatic insufficiency secondary to chronic herpesvirus pancreatitis in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A cockatiel was brought in for weight loss, increased thirst, and frequent urination. The vet diagnosed diabetes after finding high sugar levels in the bird's urine and blood. Unfortunately, treatment for the diabetes did not work, and the bird was euthanized. A closer examination of the pancreas revealed chronic inflammation caused by a herpesvirus, which is unusual for this type of infection. This case highlights the need for vets to consider herpesvirus infections when diagnosing birds with pancreatic issues.
People also search for: cockatiel weight loss · bird diabetes treatment · pancreatitis in birds · herpesvirus in cockatiels
Abstract
A cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) examined because of weight loss, polydipsia, and polyuria was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus based on the presence of glucosuria and marked hyperglycemia. Medical attempts to manage the diabetes mellitus were unsuccessful, and the bird was euthanatized. Histopathologic examination of the pancreas revealed a chronic active pancreatitis with herpesviral inclusions in many of the pancreatic acinar and duct cells. Psittacid herpesvirus-1 (PsHV-1) DNA was amplified from the lesion by polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing of the amplicon showed it to be the genotype 1 variant, which is most commonly associated with Pacheco's disease, an acute rapidly fatal systemic infection. The findings in this case suggest that the PsHV-1 genotype may also cause a localized disease of the pancreas. Infection with this virus should be considered as a differential diagnosis in birds with pancreatitis with or without diabetes mellitus.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18065136/