Mycobacteriosis in gang gang cockatoos (Callocephalon fimbriatum).

Abstract

This report presents three cases of mycobacteriosis in gang gang cockatoos (Callocephalon fimbriatum) that highlight the potential variation in clinical presentation of this important avian disease. The first case was a female gang gang cockatoo with widespread skeletal disease that presented with a chronic history of weight loss and nonpainful, bilaterally symmetric, distal-wing and leg nodular swellings. The second case was a mature female in good muscle condition with a nodular granulomatous pericarditis and myocarditis causing severe hydropericardium and cardiac tamponade; it was presented for respiratory distress. The third case was one of alimentary mycobacteriosis that presented with a chronic history of weight loss. Some difficulties associated with confirming a premortem diagnosis of mycobacteriosis are discussed.