Congestive heart failure associated with myxomatous degeneration of the left atrioventricular valve in a parakeet.

Congestive heart failure was diagnosed in a 27-year-old Indian ringneck parakeet with exercise-induced dyspnea. A grade IV/VI holosystolic murmur that radiated to the right sternal area was auscultated over the left side of the sternum. Radiography revealed progressive cardiomegaly, hepatomegaly, pulmonary edema, and accumulation of fluid within the coelomic cavity. Echocardiography revealed biatrial enlargement and enlargement of the right ventricle. Doppler recording revealed high velocity left and right atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Treatment with digoxin and furosemide alleviated clinical signs for approximately 10 months. Gross postmortem examination revealed cardiac enlargement and eccentric hypertrophy of both ventricles on cross-section. Pulmonary congestion and edema, hepatomegaly, hepatic congestion, and ascites were also evident. Histologic examination of the heart revealed myxomatous degeneration of the left atrioventricular valve, muscular hypertrophy of the right atrioventricular valve, and biventricular chronic myofiber degeneration and necrosis.

Results of postmortem examination of psittacine birds with cardiac disease: 26 cases (1991-1995).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize prevalence and type of cardiac disease evident in psittacine birds during postmortem examination. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 26 psittacine birds with gross and histologic evidence of cardiac disease. PROCEDURE: Records of postmortem examinations of psittacine birds necropsied during a 4-year period were reviewed. Data on gross and histologic evidence of cardiac disease were analyzed. Birds identified included those in which congestive heart failure (CHF) was considered the primary cause of death and those in which substantial cardiac disease was evident, despite a lack of postmortem findings supportive of CHF. RESULTS: Of 269 psittacine birds necropsied, 26 (9.7%) had evidence of cardiac disease. In 15 (58%) birds with cardiac disease, changes consistent with CHF were evident and were sufficiently severe as to be considered the cause of death. The remaining 11 birds had cardiac lesions secondary to other systemic diseases; cardiac lesions were considered to be an incidental finding in these birds, and CHF was not evident. Of the 15 birds with CHF, 10 had evidence of right ventricular or biventricular failure, whereas only 5 had evidence of left ventricular failure. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Prevalence of cardiac disease in the psittacine birds reported here was similar to that seen clinically in other companion animals. The high incidence of right ventricular or biventricular heart failure in psittacine birds was similar to that for poultry in which lesions of right-sided heart failure predominate.

Hypothyroidism in a scarlet macaw.

A diagnosis of hypothyroidism was confirmed by use of thyrotropin stimulation testing in an imported male scarlet macaw. Clinical signs included delayed molt; uniform, diffuse contour feather loss over the entire body; and excessive fat deposition over the legs and ventral portion of the abdomen. Clinical signs were associated with mild, non-regenerative anemia; mild leukocytosis; heterophilia; hypoalbuminemia; and hypercholesterolemia. Histologic examination of punch biopsy specimens from regions of feather loss revealed ortho- and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and moderate, widespread vacuolar degeneration and necrosis in the follicular epithelium. The bird failed to respond to provocative thyrotropin stimulation testing. Treatment with L-thyroxine (0.2 micrograms/kg of body weight, q 12 h) resulted in normal feathering, elimination of fat deposits, and adequate serum thyroxine concentrations at 4 and 12 hours after treatment.

Pet avian medicine. Case reports.

Four case reports are presented. The first involves chronic lead toxicity in a Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot, which presented for a shoulder injury. The second discusses Aspergillosis in an African Grey Parrot following smoke inhalation and systemic antibiotic use. The third describes Chlamydiosis in a recently imported Amazon Parrot, and the final case concerns rhinitis/sinusitis in a cockatiel.