BIRDS · Condition guide
Proventricular dilatation disease in birds: real case reports
Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is one of the most feared diseases in companion parrots — a typically fatal disease associated with avian bornavirus (ABV) infection. It causes ganglioneuritis of the autonomic nervous system, most prominently affecting the proventriculus and ventriculus, leading to gastrointestinal dysmotility. Classic signs are chronic weight loss despite a normal appetite, regurgitation, passage of undigested seeds in the droppings, crop stasis, and a distended dilated proventriculus visible on radiographs.
Some birds develop CNS forms instead, with seizures, ataxia, or proprioceptive deficits. Diagnosis combines clinical signs, contrast radiography demonstrating proventricular dilatation, and PCR/serology for avian bornavirus — though many healthy birds also carry the virus, making interpretation complex. Treatment is supportive (easily digestible diet, prokinetics, NSAID anti-inflammatories such as celecoxib in some cases). Most affected birds eventually succumb, though some live with managed disease for years. Strict biosecurity is essential — birds that test positive should not be co-housed with naïve birds.
What vets typically check for
- Contrast radiography (barium) — confirms proventricular dilatation.
- Crop or proventricular biopsy — gold standard but invasive (lymphoplasmacytic ganglioneuritis).
- Cloacal swab PCR + serology for avian bornavirus (interpret with caution — many carriers are healthy).
- Supportive care: easily-digested diet, prokinetics, vitamin supplementation, weight monitoring.
- NSAID therapy (celecoxib) has shown benefit in some cases — discuss with an avian specialist.
Not a replacement for veterinary care. Use this to walk into the conversation prepared, not to self-diagnose.
Real cases from the veterinary literature
Peer-reviewed reports our semantic search surfaces for Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD). Click into any case for the full abstract — or run a personalised search with your pet's exact details.
- Clinical and histologic features of a novel polyostotic proliferative bone disease in lovebirds (Agapornis spp).
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2026 · Australia
A 3.5-year-old lovebird was diagnosed with a serious bone disease called polyostotic osteopetrosis syndrome, which caused abnormal growths in several bones, including the sternum and skull. The bird showed vague symptoms, and the condition was confirmed through imaging and tissue samples. Unfortunately, the prognosis was not good, with an average survival time of just over two
- Spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus).
Journal of comparative pathology · 2025 · Brazil
A 2-year-old cockatiel was brought to the vet with a large lump on its right wing. Unfortunately, after suffering from a cut on the wing, the bird experienced bleeding and later died. A thorough examination revealed that the lump was a type of cancer called spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma, which is quite rare in animals. Sadly, due to the severity of the condition and the trauma,
- Psittacine beak and feather disease in 2 free-living great green macaws: a case report and literature review.
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc · 2025
This report discusses two free-living great green macaws that were found to have psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), a viral illness that usually affects young pet birds. Both macaws showed signs of being very tired and had lost feathers and weight. One bird was diagnosed through visible signs and a specific test, while the other was confirmed with additional tests that
- Medical Management of a Cervical Thymoma by Radiation Therapy in an Indian Ringneck Parakeet ().
Journal of avian medicine and surgery · 2025 · United States
A 20-year-old female Indian ringneck parakeet was brought in for treatment of a growing mass on the right side of her neck, which was diagnosed as a thymoma (a type of tumor). She received 10 sessions of radiation therapy over a month, which successfully reduced the tumor size by about 60% in length and 40% in width, making it softer to the touch. Unfortunately, the tumor began
- Successful Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Surgical Removal of a Nonmetastatic Testicular Round Cell Tumor in a Solomon Island Eclectus Parrot ().
Journal of avian medicine and surgery · 2024 · United States
A 24-year-old male Solomon Island eclectus parrot was found to have a mass in his abdomen during a routine check-up. Tests suggested it was a testicular tumor, and the vet started treatment with hormone therapy and chemotherapy, which significantly reduced the size of the tumor. Afterward, the parrot underwent surgery to remove the remaining tumor. Seven months later, follow-up
- Myxoid leiomyosarcoma of the oviduct and uterus in a Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus).
Veterinary medicine and science · 2024
An 11-year-old female cockatiel was brought to the vet because her belly was swollen, and she was having trouble laying eggs. After surgery, the vet found a large tumor in her reproductive tract. Unfortunately, the tumor was diagnosed as a rare type of cancer called myxoid leiomyosarcoma, which is made up of muscle cells. The cockatiel survived for 34 days after the surgery but
Frequently asked questions
- Is PDD always fatal?
- Currently considered progressive and usually fatal, but some birds live for years with careful supportive management. Early diagnosis, an easy-to-digest diet, and weight monitoring buy the most time and quality of life.
- Can other birds catch it?
- Yes. Avian bornavirus is transmitted between birds (likely via faeces and crop secretions), so infected birds should be isolated from healthy ones. PDD is one of the strongest arguments for quarantine and ABV testing of new arrivals before introduction to a multi-bird household.
- Is it zoonotic?
- Current evidence suggests very low or no risk to humans, but research is ongoing. Standard hygiene (handwashing, no kissing/mouth contact, no shared food) is sensible with any sick bird regardless.