Feather-picking psittacines: histopathology and species trends.

Histologic findings are described for 408 feather-picking or self-mutilating psittacines with the use of biopsies from clinically affected and unaffected skin. Inflammatory skin disease was diagnosed in 210 birds, and traumatic skin disease was diagnosed in 198 birds. Criteria used for the diagnosis of inflammatory skin disease included the presence of perivascular inflammation in the superficial or deep dermis of clinically affected and unaffected sites. The primary histologic criteria for the diagnosis of traumatic skin disease were superficial dermal scarring with or without inflammation in the affected sites and an absence of inflammation in the unaffected sites. The inflammatory cells associated with the lesions were typically lymphocytes and occasionally plasma cells, histiocytes, and granulocytes. A preponderance of inflammatory skin disease was seen in macaws (Ara spp.) and Amazon parrots (Amazona spp.). A preponderance of traumatic skin disease was seen in cockatoos (Cacatua spp.) and African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). The prevalence of each was approximately equal in several other species, including conures (Aratinga and Pyrrhura spp.), eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus), quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), parakeets (Cyanorhamphus and Psittacula spp.), and caiques (Pionites spp.). No geographic or gender-based trends were identified. These findings could be helpful for identifying and treating birds with feather-picking disorders.

Doxycycline plasma concentrations in macaws fed a medicate corn diet.

A trial was conducted to determine the doxycycline plasma concentrations attained by feeding a medicated corn diet to large psittacine birds. Doxycycline is the preferred drug for the treatment of chlamydiosis in psittacine birds. Healthy macaws were fed a 0.1% doxycycline-medicated corn diet for 45 days, and plasma doxycycline concentrations were determined by microbiological assay on treatment days 3, 15, 30, and 45. Plasma doxycycline concentrations exceeded 1 microgram/ml in 87% of the samples assayed. As blood concentrations of 1 microgram/ml are considered therapeutic, a doxycycline-medicated corn diet may be efficacious in the treatment of chlamydiosis in large psittacine birds.

Sarcocystis falcatula of opossums: transmission by cockroaches with fatal pulmonary disease in psittacine birds.

Old World psittacines experienced an acute fatal illness in outdoor breeding collections in South Florida. Toxoplasma-like organisms were found histologically in pulmonary capillaries and elsewhere. Because the organisms underwent schizogony and could not be transmitted to mice, we looked for a cause other than Toxoplasma gondii. An opossum was trapped on the premises of 1 facility and was found to be shedding sporocysts similar to Sarcocystis falcatula in its feces. Cockroaches were prevalent and suspected as transport hosts. Cockroaches that had ingested opossum feces and subsequently were fed to cockatoos induced an identical fatal illness. Obstruction of pulmonary capillaries by developing schizonts and pulmonary edema were the most important pathologic findings. The epidemic was stopped by biological insect control employing flightless chickens to reduce cockroach populations and by an electric fence restricting access of opossums to these outdoor psittacine breeding facilities.

Endocrine responses of healthy parrots to ACTH and thyroid stimulating hormone.

Effects of exogenous ACTH on plasma corticosterone and cortisol concentrations and the effects of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) on plasma triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were determined in the following 3 species of parrots: red-lored Amazon (group 1), blue-fronted Amazon (group 2), and African gray (group 3). Each bird was given ACTH (0.125 mg/bird) IM, except for 3 to 4 birds in each group, which were given saline solution (controls). Blood samples were collected before and 90 minutes after ACTH stimulation. In group 1 (n = 12), mean plasma corticosterone concentrations increased significantly (P less than 0.001) from 1.06 microgram/dl (before ACTH) to 4.89 micrograms/dl (after ACTH); mean corticosterone concentrations increased in the control birds from 1.06 microgram/dl to 1.84 microgram/dl; and mean cortisol concentrations increased only slightly from 0.228 microgram/dl to 0.266 microgram/dl. In group 2 (n = 12), mean corticosterone concentrations increased significantly (P less than 0.001) from 2.09 micrograms/dl to 10.58 micrograms/dl; control mean corticosterone concentrations decreased slightly from 2.09 micrograms/dl to 1.77 microgram/dl; and mean cortisol concentrations increased from less than or equal to 0.16 microgram/dl to 0.266 microgram/dl. In group 3 (n = 12), mean plasma corticosterone concentrations increased significantly (P less than or equal to 0.001) from 2.33 micrograms/dl to 4.67 micrograms/dl; mean control plasma corticosterone concentrations decreased from 2.33 micrograms/dl to 1.68 microgram/dl; and plasma corticol concentrations were not detectable. Each bird was given TSH, IM (1 U/bird). Blood samples were collected before and 6 hours after TSH administration. Saline solution was not administered as controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunization against psittacine pox.

Pox virus isolated from psittacine birds was used as a vaccine in trials with love birds (Agapornis roseicollis). The vaccine was applied by wing-web puncture using single- and double-needle applicators. Immunity was effective against challenge with virulent psittacine pox virus administered via the feather follicle/thigh. When unvaccinated contact control birds were placed with the vaccinated individuals immediately post-vaccination, virus spread was evident. However, susceptible birds placed with vaccinated ones at 27 days postvaccination remained uninfected for 11 weeks. The importance of a high vaccine virus titer was observed.

Effect of exogenous ACTH on serum corticosterone and cortisol concentrations in the Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis).

The effects of exogenous adrenocorticortrophic hormone (ACTH) on the serum corticosterone and cortisol concentrations were determined in 28 mature Moluccan cockatoos (Cacatua moluccensis), a representative of the psittacine species. Birds were randomly assigned to 4 groups (2 ACTH-treated groups and 2 saline-treated controls). Group I (10 cockatoos [5 males and 5 females] ) was given 15 IU of ACTH after blood samples (base line) were taken at 10:00 AM. Blood samples were taken again at 30 minutes and 2.5 hours after ACTH administration. Group II (10 cockatoos) was given similar treatment, but blood samples were taken at 1 and 4 hours after ACTH was administered. Groups III and IV (each of 4 birds) were given saline solution injections as controls. Blood samples were taken at 30 minutes and 2.5 hours after injection (group III) and at 1 and 4 hours after injection (group IV). All serum samples were analyzed for cortisol and corticosterone. Serum corticosterone concentration increased significantly (P less than 0.01) from base-line levels (26 ng/ml) to 108 ng/ml within 30 minutes after ACTH was administered. The high values were maintained for 3 hours and then decreased to 40 ng/ml at the end of 4 hours. Male birds seemed to respond to the ACTH treatment quickly and maintained increased concentration for a shorter period when compared with the responses seen in female birds. Serum cortisol values remained low throughout the experimental period. These results indicate that serum corticosterone was responsive to ACTH administration, but cortisol was not. In addition, there may be a difference in the responses between male and female members of the species.

Survey of bacteriologic flora of conjunctiva and cornea in healthy psittacine birds.

A total of 151 eyes from healthy psittacine birds were examined by bacteriologic cultural methods. Bacterial growth was not found in 41% of eyes cultured, Staphylococcus epidermidis was found in 25%, alpha-hemolytic streptococci in 25%, Corynebacterium spp in 7%, and Staphylococcus aureus in 5%. Each of the following organisms were found in 1% of the eyes; Pasteurella spp, Actinobacillus spp, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Enterobacter spp, Pseudomonas spp, Proteus spp, and Bacillus spp. More than one bacterial species was found in numerous eyes. Psittacines from an import station had a greater occurrence of ocular bacterial growth than did birds from private owners. The frequency of ocular bacterial growth and types of bacteria isolated were similar to studies from dogs and cats.

Mucormycosis in hatchling Florida softshell turtles.

Six hatchling softshell turtles selected from a group of approximately 400 with circular gray integumentary lesions were submitted for clinical evaluation. The turtles died within 24 hours. Histologic examination of the carapace revealed ulcerative epidermitis, with bacterial colonies and tightly packed groups of fungi. A Mucor sp was isolated from the lesions.