Understanding the normal anatomy of psittacine birds is basic to the diagnosis and treatment of disease in these species. As a first step toward a systematic investigation of the avian cardiovascular system, we conducted a 2-part study of healthy and diseased parrots. In the first part, the normal heart shape, size, and weight were studied in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and Australian king parrots (Alisterus s scapularis) that were euthanatized because of genetic feather abnormalities. To compare results of birds of different sizes, measurements were evaluated in relation to the length of the sternum of the individual bird. Only minor differences were found between the 2 species studied. In the second part of the study, the spectrum and the frequency of pathologic changes of the heart and the major vessels were evaluated in 107 caged psittacine birds that were presented for routine necropsy. Of the birds examined, 36% had visible gross lesions of the heart, the major vessels, or both. On histologic examination, 99% exhibited at least low-grade pathologic changes of the heart or major vessels, which frequently were associated with noninfectious diseases. The results of this study emphasize the importance of cardiovascular disease in captive parrots.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of diet and L-carnitine supplementation on lipoma size and bodyweight in adult budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). Seventeen budgerigars with naturally occurring cervical lipomas and 15 without lipomas were assigned to groups (4–6 birds/group) and fed 1 of 3 diets for a period of 102 days. The diets fed were a 100% seed mixture, a commercially produced low-fat pelleted diet, and the same pelleted diet supplemented with approximately 1000 mg/kg L-carnitine. Birds receiving pellets were also offered a small amount of seed to improve acceptance. Bodyweight and lipoma size were recorded for each bird at 2- to 4-week intervals. Bodyweight increased in all budgerigars (with and without lipomas) receiving 100%-seed diets. Of these birds, 83% gained >10% of their initial bodyweight. Lipoma size decreased in budgerigars that were fed the pelleted diet supplemented with L-carnitine. These data suggest that feeding a 100%-seed diet may result in inappropriate weight gain in budgerigars and that the use of L-carnitine supplementation in the management of lipomas deserves further investigation.

Body temperature and heart and respiratory rates are measured routinely during the physical examination of most animals. However, the influence of stress on these values has not been well evaluated in birds. In this study, we measured the cloacal temperature and heart and respiratory rates serially during 15 minutes of restraint in 17 Amazon parrots (Amazona species). The mean cloacal temperature of the parrots increased significantly (P < .001) within 4 minutes of manual restraint and increased by 2.3°C (4.2°F) at 15 minutes. Mean respiratory rates also increased significantly (P < .001) from 129 to 252 breaths/min during 15 minutes of manual restraint, while mean heart rates did not significantly change. These findings emphasize the importance of limiting restraint time and observing for tachypnea, even in healthy parrots, to avoid potentially life-threatening increases in body temperature.

Two raptors, a juvenile prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus) and an adult female great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), were presented with luxation of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Additionally, the falcon had a distal metacarpal articular fracture, and the owl had an open wound at the luxation site. After supportive care, both birds were treated by arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint. A Type 1 external skeletal fixator was applied to stabilize the joint and to allow bony fusion to occur. Bony fusion occurred in 6 and 9 weeks in the falcon and the owl, respectively. Full flight capacity was restored, and both birds were released into the wild. Arthrodesis represents a viable option for the treatment of metacarpophalangeal joint luxations or articular fractures of the associated bone in avian species when treatment by reduction and stabilization fails.

Avian mycobacteriosis has been documented commonly in poultry, companion birds, and birds in zoological collections or wildlife parks. However, reports in free-ranging raptors are relatively rare. We describe 6 cases of mycobacteriosis in free-living raptors. Four red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), 1 red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), and 1 great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) were presented for examination after being found on the ground unable to fly. Common clinical findings in these birds included coelomic distention or palpable coelomic mass, nonregenerative anemia, and leukocytosis characterized by heterophilia, monocytosis, and lymphopenia. Results of radiography, ultrasonography, coelomoscopy, and biopsy, in combination with acid-fast staining of specimens obtained by biopsy or fine-needle aspiration, provided evidence of a presumptive diagnosis of mycobacteriosis. All birds were euthanatized (n = 5) or died (n = 1). At necropsy, diffuse granulomas with intralesional acid-fast bacilli were present in all birds. Mycobacteriosis was confirmed by culture in 4 birds, and polymerase chain reaction testing confirmed Mycobacterium avium in 3 of these 4 birds. On the basis of clinical and postmortem findings, mycobacteriosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in adult raptors that are found debilitated and in poor body condition. Detection of acid-fast bacilli in biopsy or necropsy specimens allows a presumptive diagnosis of mycobacteriosis; however, definitive diagnosis requires mycobacterial culture or polymerase chain reaction analysis.

A 2-year-old female Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) was presented with a 20-month history of chronic malodorous diarrhea. Megacloaca with cloacitis, suspected clostridial enteritis, and suspected chronic synsacral and caudal vertebral osteomyelitis were diagnosed on the basis of radiograph results, laboratory testing, radiographic and fluoroscopic gastrointestinal contrast studies, and histopathologic examination of cloacal tissue biopsy samples. The bird was treated surgically by reducing the coprodeum. In addition, aggressive medical care, including fluids, nutritional support, and antibiotics, was instituted. Although results of clostridial toxin enzyme immunoassays and fecal clostridial cultures were negative, we suspected clostridial overgrowth because of the bacterial morphology on a Gram's stain of fecal samples. At the time of this report (4 years after surgery), the cockatoo remains relatively asymptomatic. Attempts to discontinue metronidazole therapy or lactobacillus supplementation result in recurrence of malodorous feces and retention of feces within the coprodeum. The cause of the megacloaca was never definitively established; however, surgical reduction of the coprodeum appears to have improved the bird's quality of life and possibly reduced the potential for future health complications.