James K. Morrisey

Estimation of Prothrombin Times of Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots (Amazona ventralis) and Umbrella Cockatoos (Cacatua alba)

Abstract The determination of prothrombin time (PT) has been standardized for domestic chickens; however, validated tests of coagulation are lacking for nondomestic avian species, limiting the investigation of acquired hemostatic disorders in these species. The purpose of this study was to validate the PT assay for chickens in our laboratory using both fresh and frozen plasma and to apply the assay to psittacine bird plasma to establish reference intervals for PT of Hispaniolan parrots (Amazona ventralis) and umbrella cockatoos (Cacatua alba). We used avian tissue thromboplastin, prepared from brain tissue of 2-week-old chickens, for determining all PT values. The reference intervals for PT of chickens (n = 6) were 7.5–10.6 and 7.0–11.1 seconds for fresh and frozen plasma, respectively. The reference intervals for PT of Hispaniolan parrots (n = 6) were 7.5–13.4 and 9.0–11.3 seconds for fresh and frozen plasma, respectively. The reference intervals for PT of cockatoos (n = 14) differed significantly (P < .0001) when 2 different aliquots of avian thromboplastin were used for frozen plasma (11.2–15.8 versus 10.0–13.0 seconds). These PT values should be viewed as estimates for these species because of the small sample sizes in our study. PT values for plasma samples were similar under either fresh or frozen conditions. When the same aliquot of thromboplastin was used, interspecies differences in PT were evident. Variation between aliquots of thromboplastin caused the most significant difference in PT values between avian plasma samples; thus, aliquots of avian tissue thromboplastin should be prepared in volume sufficient to insure that multiple PT assays can be performed for a single patient.

Diseases of the upper respiratory tract of companion birds

An understanding of respiratory tract diseases is extremely important in avian medicine. The upper respiratory system of birds has evolved differently from that of mammals. The changes have produced one of the most efficient respiratory systems among vertebrates. Some of these changes predispose birds to respiratory disorders not commonly encountered in mammals. This article reviews diseases of the upper respiratory system in companion birds that are clinically important to the patient and the practitioner. The anatomy of the upper respiratory system is reviewed briefly followed by a discussion of disorders of each anatomic location.

Extrapyramidal Side Effects in a Blue and Gold Macaw (Ara ararauna) Treated With Haloperidol and Clomipramine

ABSTRACT A diagnosis of adverse extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) was reached in a 14-year-old female blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) that presented with disseminated dystonia (manifesting as pacing, head bobbing, and circling), intermittent ataxia, and coarse-muscle tremors of 60 hours duration. The patient had been treated 23 days previously with haloperidol decanoate (1.7 mg/kg IM once), and for 3 days before hospitalization with clomipramine HCl at a prescribed dosage of 3.9 mg/kg PO q12h. The patient was treated with supportive care, a gradual reduction in the clomipramine dose, and intramuscular and oral diphenhydramine (2 mg/kg q12h). As commonly observed in human patients with drug-induced EPS, a dramatic resolution of clinical signs was observed within 2 hours after the first intramuscular administration of diphenhydramine. It is recommended that EPS be considered in macaws experiencing neurologic signs secondary to clomipramine administration and, in particular, in those treated concurrently or previously with haloperidol.

Postintubation tracheal stenosis in a blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) resolved with tracheal resection and anastomosis

Abstract A 20-year-old female blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) was presented with an acute onset of labored breathing and vocalization changes. Tracheoscopy revealed a stenotic tracheal lesion, which reduced the luminal diameter by approximately 75%. Tracheal resection and anastomosis was performed, and the tracheal lesion was submitted for histopathologic analysis. Postoperative therapy included antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory medications. The trachea healed with no major complications. The histologic diagnosis was mild, focal, chronic tracheitis. The cause of the lesion was presumed to be postintubation stenosis on the basis of the normal gross appearance of the external trachea, the location of the lesion, and a recent history of general anesthesia delivered by endotracheal tube.

Gastrointestinal diseases of psittacine birds

Gastrointestinal diseases are common presenting complaints in psittacine birds. It is important that the practitioner be familiar with the variety of diseases that can affect the psittacine gastrointestinal tract. The goal of this article is to introduce the most common clinical disorders of the psittacine gastrointestinal tract. The clinical signs, etiologic agents, diagnostics, and treatment options will be mentioned. The information will be presented in an anatomical nature, in that the discussion will begin with problems of the oral cavity and end with cloacal disorders.

Identification of a novel nidovirus in an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease in ball pythons (Python regius)

BackgroundRespiratory infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in reptiles; however, the causative agents are only infrequently identified.FindingsPneumonia, tracheitis and esophagitis were reported in a collection of ball pythons (Python regius). Eight of 12 snakes had evidence of bacterial pneumonia. High-throughput sequencing of total extracted nucleic acids from lung, esophagus and spleen revealed a novel nidovirus. PCR indicated the presence of viral RNA in lung, trachea, esophagus, liver, and spleen. In situ hybridization confirmed the presence of intracellular, intracytoplasmic viral nucleic acids in the lungs of infected snakes. Phylogenetic analysis based on a 1,136 amino acid segment of the polyprotein suggests that this virus may represent a new species in the subfamily Torovirinae.ConclusionsThis report of a novel nidovirus in ball pythons may provide insight into the pathogenesis of respiratory disease in this species and enhances our knowledge of the diversity of nidoviruses.

Ferrets. Clinical pathology and sample collection.

Diagnostic sampling and interpretation in the ferret are similar to other small mammals in many ways. There are several aspects of clinical pathology and diagnostic procedures, however, that are unique to the ferret. This article is designed to assist the clinician in obtaining and interpreting diagnostic samples for the ferret. Methods for blood and urine collection, bone marrow and organ aspirations, and organ biopsy techniques are discussed.

Ferrets: Examination and Preventive Medicine

As ferrets are anatomically and physiologically similar to dogs and cats, the basic elements of ferret examination, disease processes, and preventive health are familiar to small-animal practitioners. Like other domestic carnivores, ferrets are tolerant of handling and medical procedures, especially compared with rabbits, rodents, and most nondomestic mammals. These characteristics make ferrets amenable to many of the highly specialized diagnostic and therapeutic techniques that are now available in small-animal practice. Veterinarians who wish to add ferrets to their practices should be familiar with the ferret literature, but they should not forget to draw from the wealth of knowledge in canine and feline medicine when managing unusual or difficult ferret cases.

Therapeutics for Rabbits

A variety of pharmacologic agents are currently available to treat house rabbits. In many cases, dosages are based on extrapolation from other species or empirical data. Dosing in rabbits is further complicated by individual variation. An understanding of rabbit physiology and the pharmacology of prescribed medications helps ensure that the agents are used as effectively and safely as possible. In this article, basic rabbit pharmacobiology is reviewed and techniques for drug administration are described. A formulary for house rabbits is provided.

Nasal Adenocarcinoma and Secondary Chronic Sinusitis in a Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

Abstract An adult male hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) that presented for acute onset nasal discharge and dyspnea had purulent discharge from the right naris and serosanguineous discharge from the left naris on physical examination. Results of a complete blood count revealed severe leukocytosis with a mature heterophilia. Computed tomography scans showed a large amount of soft-tissue attenuating material within the infraorbital sinus and associated diverticula. Aerobic culture results of the nasal discharge showed a mixed population of Staphylococcus intermedius and Pasteurella species, including Pasteurella pneumotropica; all isolated bacteria were susceptible to enrofloxacin. Clinical signs did not resolve over the course of 9 weeks of antibiotic treatment. The macaw died after cardiopulmonary arrest while hospitalized. At necropsy, a 2 × 2 × 3–cm firm, tan, friable, space-occupying mass surrounded by a thick exudate was present in the left preorbital diverticulum of the infraorbital sinus. The cranioventral one-third of the trachea contained a 4 × 0.5–cm white-yellow plaque. On histologic examination, the sinus mass was diagnosed as a nasal adenocarcinoma, and the tracheal plaque was caused by fungal infection, most likely with an Aspergillus species.