Cardiac disease in the Spix Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii): two cases.

Cardiovascular disease in avian species, other than poultry, is being increasingly reported. In psittacine birds, atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure are the leading cardiovascular diseases, often resulting in multiorgan dysfunction and demise. The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is arguably the most endangered psittacine species worldwide. We aimed to describe the gross and microscopic findings in two adult Spix's macaws wherein severe cardiovascular pathology resulted in sudden death. Bird 1 had pathologic findings consistent with fibrinoheterophilic vegetative pulmonic valvular endocarditis with luminal obliterative thrombosis, myocarditis and epicarditis, myocardial fibrofatty infiltration and cardiomyocyte loss, as well as generalized septicaemia. Microbiological analysis yielded Pantoea septica from the intestines and Acinetobacter baylyi from the cerebrum. Bird 2 had changes suggestive of right brachiocephalic coarctation-like obliterative arteriopathy. The latter is a novel cardiovascular pathology in avian species, and its severity and extent likely led to acute decompensation of pre-existing cardiac disease. These results add to the body of knowledge on avian cardiovascular pathology and may aid in veterinary medical decisions on caged birds, including those part of ex situ conservation efforts.

Benign Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor in a Wild Toco Toucan ( Ramphastos toco )

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that comprise neurofibromas, schwannomas, neurilemmomas, and perineuromas. In animals, peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms are most commonly diagnosed in dogs and cattle, followed by horses, goats, and cats, but their occurrence is uncommon in birds. An adult, free-living, male toco (common) toucan (Ramphastos toco) was admitted to the zoo animal clinic with weight loss, dehydration, and presence of a soft nodule adhered to the medial portion of the left pectoral muscle. Clinical, cytologic, and computed tomography scan results were indicative of a neoplasm. The toucan died during surgical resection of the mass. Necropsy, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor. To our knowledge, benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor has not previously been reported in a toucan or any other species in the order Piciformes.