Treatment of Exuberant Granulation Tissue in an Umbrella Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) with Strontium Radiation.

A 26-year-old female umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) was presented for reoccurrence of a soft tissue mass extending from a fractured area of the rhinotheca. The mass was originally observed 12 years before, after unknown trauma. Histopathology after initial removal was consistent with inflammatory granulation tissue. The mass reoccurred 3 additional times in the same location despite surgical removal and cryogenic therapy. On the fourth surgical resection, strontium-90 radiotherapy was applied to the site immediately after the surgical procedure. No recurrence of the tissue mass from this location has been observed for almost 2 years. This case demonstrates the novel use of strontium radiotherapy to treat exuberant granulation tissue in a bird.

Avian Skull Orthopedics.

Because the avian skull is the reflection of the wide biodiversity of birds, many anatomic, morphologic, and functional variations are encountered. The main objectives of this article are to review the surgical considerations associated with the functional anatomy of the avian jaw apparatus and its variation among species, and to describe the general medical and surgical management of head traumatic and developmental disorders in birds.

Closed Reduction of a Rostroparasphenopalatal Luxation in a Red-crowned Parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae).

A 1-year-old red-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) was presented with an acute onset of hyperprotraction of the upper beak and an inability to return the beak to its normal position. With the abnormal beak position, the bird was unable to eat. Standard radiographic images of the head supported a diagnosis of a rostroparasphenopalatal luxation. The luxation was reduced with a 23-gauge hypodermic needle inserted dorsal to the palatine bone and directed ventrally. After the procedure, the bird regained its normal beak function within 2 hours.

Using an alternate light source to detect electrically singed feathers and hair in a forensic setting.

Mortality due to electrical injury in wildlife may occur in the form of lightning strike or power line contact. Evidence of electrical contact may be grossly obvious, with extensive singeing, curling, and blackening of feathers, fur, or skin. Occasionally, changes may be subtle, owing to lower current or reduced conductivity, making a definitive diagnosis of electrocution more difficult. We describe the use of an alternate light source in the examination of cases of lightning strike and power line contact in wildlife, and the enhanced detection of changes due to electrical currents in the hair and feathers of affected animals. Subtle changes in the wing feathers of 12 snow geese and 1 wolf that were struck by separate lightning events were made obvious by the use of an alternate light source. Similarly, this technique can be used to strengthen the evidence for power line exposure in birds.

Orthopedic conditions of the avian head.

Orthopedic problems of the avian head generally fall into two main categories: congenital and traumatic. Congenital lesions of the beak are not uncommon in psittacine birds but are extremely rare in raptors. Trauma accounts for most of the remaining orthopedic problems seen in the area of the body. This article discusses the most common conditions and injuries causing orthopedic problems of the beak, eye, and skull of avian patients.

Corneal laceration with total but isolated aniridia caused by a pecking injury.

A 38-year-old man sustained a left eye injury after being attacked by a mynah bird. Ocular examination revealed a beak-shaped, full-thickness corneal laceration with total aniridia in the left eye. No other ocular injury was observed, and the lens and posterior segment remained normal over the subsequent 3 months. A penetrating keratoplasty was planned for visual restoration.

[Fixation of an upper beak fracture in a Moluccan cockatoo (C. moluccensis)]. / Transfixation einer Oberschnabelfraktur beim Molukkenkakadu (C. moluccensis).

In this report the successful stabilisation by full-pin external fixation of the fractured beak of a Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) was described. Suppositions and the technique of this surgical procedure were discussed.