Elegant-crested tinamou (Eudromia elegans) are members of the family Tinamidae. A review of postmortem records at the Saint Louis Zoo suggests that this species is highly susceptible to aspergillosis. Antemortem detection of Aspergillus infections can be aided by evaluating results of hematologic, plasma biochemical, protein electrophoretic, and Aspergillus antigen and antibody serologic testing. To establish species-specific reference intervals for these parameters in elegant-crested tinamou, blood samples were collected and analyzed from 19 healthy captive adult and subadult elegant-crested tinamou. The predominant circulating leukocyte in elegant-crested tinamou is the lymphocyte. Prealbumin electrophoresis fractions were detected in 4 of 19 birds (21%), and globulin fractions were detected in all birds. All birds had measurable titers for Aspergillus antibody and galactomannan antigen, including 3 birds with antibody levels considered to be positive. Galactomannan levels were all below the positive threshold of 1.0. Results of hematologic and plasma biochemical analyses performed on blood samples obtained from terminally ill elegant-crested tinamou with confirmed aspergillosis were compared with results from healthy individuals. Significant differences were found in the hematocrit, total white blood cell count, heterophil and monocyte counts, and albumin and globulin levels.

Removal of foreign bodies from the ventriculus in birds may necessitate ventriculotomy. Complications with this intervention include leakage and adhesion formation. To investigate if the use of a coelomic fat patch and a tension-relieving suture in addition to a simple interrupted pattern would improve the healing process after ventriculotomy, 2 groups of 9 Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) underwent ventriculotomy. In group 1, only simple-interrupted and tension-relieving sutures were used for closure of the ventriculotomy. In group 2, a coelomic fat patch from the surrounding adipose tissue was applied to the incision site in addition to the sutures. All quail recovered normally and were considered clinically healthy after surgery. Three birds from each group were euthanatized at days 7, 14, and 21 after surgery. On histologic examination, the suture techniques used for closure of the ventriculotomy led to minimal inflammation of the surrounding tissues in both groups. Serosal inflammation was significantly greater in group 2 birds that had the adipose patch at closure compared with group 1 birds. Therefore, the use of a coelomic fat patch to cover the site of ventriculotomy did not result in an improved healing process and its use is not recommended in quail.

Black cockatoos in southwest Western Australia face population declines as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, competition with other species, vehicle strikes, and shootings. In this study, hematologic and plasma biochemical reference values were determined for 3 endemic Western Australian black cockatoo species: Carnaby's cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) (n = 34), Baudin's cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) (n = 22), and forest red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso) (n = 22). Significant sex-related differences were detected in Carnaby's cockatoos, and differences were also found among the 3 species. The forest red-tailed black cockatoos showed a markedly greater eosinophil count than did the 2 white-tailed species. Blood values from samples obtained by different collection methods differed significantly for Carnaby's cockatoos, which indicates that anesthesia may affect analyte values and that collection methods should remain consistent. The results of this study will be useful for clinically evaluating wild black cockatoos that are undergoing rehabilitation for release and will provide baseline data for future investigations of free-living black cockatoo health.

A population approach was used to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of 3 fluoroquinolones administered to Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Healthy adult quail (n = 50) were divided into 3 groups, each administered a separate intravenous and oral dose of the compounded drug: enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg (n = 18; 9 male, 9 female), danofloxacin at 10 mg/kg (n = 12; 6 male, 6 female), and marbofloxacin at 5 mg/kg (n = 20; 10 male, 10 female). A fourth group was used as a control (n = 5). Enrofloxacin was metabolized extensively to ciprofloxacin, while no metabolites of either danofloxacin or marbofloxacin were detected. The volume of distribution was high, greater than 1 in all cases, and highest for danofloxacin, followed by enrofloxacin, then marbofloxacin. The total body clearance was higher in quail than that reported for other avian species with the exception of ostriches. As in mammals, the lowest clearance rate of the 3 fluoroquinolones was observed for marbofloxacin. Enrofloxacin was absorbed most rapidly, followed by marbofloxacin, then danofloxacin. The highest bioavailability was observed for danofloxacin followed by marbofloxacin, while very low bioavailability with significant conversion to ciprofloxacin was observed for enrofloxacin. Population analysis showed low intersubject variability for danofloxacin and marbofloxacin in contrast to that for enrofloxacin and its main metabolite, ciprofloxacin. Because of their more favorable pharmacokinetic properties after oral administration, either danofloxacin or marbofloxacin appears to be preferable to enrofloxacin for the treatment of susceptible bacterial infection in Japanese quail.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are available for detection of birds infected with avian polyomavirus (APV). Several laboratories offer this diagnostic assay in the United States, but little information is available regarding assay sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. In this study, known APV-positive and APV-negative samples (each n = 10, 5 undiluted and 5 diluted) were sent to 5 commercial laboratories. A significant difference in reporting accuracy was found among laboratories, most notably for dilute APV-positive samples. Two out of 5 laboratories provided 100% accurate results, 1 had an accuracy of 90%, and 2 reported 80% and 75% accuracy, respectively. The accuracies of the last 2 laboratories were negatively affected by test sensitivities of 60% and 50%, respectively. These findings show that although accurate results were reported by most laboratories, both false-positive and false-negative results were reported by at least 3 laboratories, and false-negative results reported for dilute APV-positive samples predominated. These study findings illustrate a need for veterinary diagnostic laboratories to institute improved voluntary quality control measures.

A 9-year-old male timneh African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus timneh) was presented because of inability to fly and suspected trauma. The owner also had observed dyspnea, with tail bobbing and open-beak breathing. On clinical examination, a hard, painful mass was palpable in the left proximal humerus and axillary area. Radiographs revealed a radiodense soft tissue mass of the left humerus with no bony involvement, multifocal opacities in lung and air sacs, and an enlarged spleen. An asymmetric, vascularized cyst was detected in the mass by ultrasound examination. Results of biopsy of the mass revealed multifocal cysts composed of unilayer isoprismatic cells laying in vascularized connective tissue. Because of the severity of clinical signs and the poor clinical condition, the bird was euthanatized. On postmortem examination, the findings were air sac cystadenocarcinoma involving the humeral air sac with metastases in the spleen and kidneys, atherosclerosis, pneumoconiosis, and mycotic granulomatous pneumonia and airsacculitis with isolation of Aspergillus niger.

Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) are commonly diagnosed with ovarian neoplasia. However, there is very little information regarding medical management of this disease condition and subsequent patient response. Long-term medical therapy of 2 cockatiels eventually diagnosed with ovarian neoplasia is described along with responses to the treatment regimens. Each bird had initial signs consistent with reproductive disease (chronic egg laying, ascites, and lethargy) and respiratory distress. The diagnosis of ovarian adenocarcinoma was confirmed on postmortem examination of both birds. The birds were conservatively managed by periodic coelomocentesis and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist administration for 9 and 25 months, respectively. A positive response to GnRH agonist therapy was documented in 1 of the 2 birds. These 2 cases demonstrate that periodic coelomocentesis with or without GnRH agonist therapy may be a viable option for the long-term management of ovarian neoplasia and reproductive-organ–associated ascites in cockatiels.