Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Proventricular dilatation disease in scarlet macaw linked to Avian
By Keller, Dominique L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2010·Department of Surgical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Proventricular dilatation disease associated with Avian bornavirus in a scarlet macaw (Ara macao).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A scarlet macaw was brought in showing signs of depression and head pressing over several days. Tests revealed some abnormalities in blood work, but lead and zinc levels were normal, and other viral tests came back negative. Despite treatment with antibiotics, pain relief, vitamins, and supportive care, the bird did not improve and was eventually euthanized. Further examination showed the macaw had a viral infection caused by Avian bornavirus, along with signs of fungal pneumonia in the lungs.
People also search for: scarlet macaw depression · Avian bornavirus treatment · bird head pressing causes
Abstract
A case of proventricular dilatation disease is described in a scarlet macaw (Ara macao) from clinical presentation to diagnosis with molecular methods. The initial clinical signs were depression progressing to head pressing over several days. A leukocytosis with toxic heterophil changes, hypoalbuminemia, and increased serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase were present. Lead and zinc assays were within reference ranges, and results from Chlamydophila and polyomavirus testing were negative. Contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy revealed normal gastrointestinal transit times and motility as well as the presence of 2 small metallic foreign bodies in the ventriculus. The macaw was treated with antimicrobials, analgesics, vitamins E and B complex, force-feeding, and fluid administration with little improvement. Euthanasia was elected, and histologic examination of brain tissue revealed a perivascular lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, while the lungs had evidence of a fungal pneumonia. Tissue samples from the brain and proventriculus tested positive for the presence of Avian bornavirus genotype 2, while serology confirmed Avian bornavirus infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21088184/