AAV News

January 2007

Assessing Non-producing Pairs or Pairs in Declining Production

Brian Speer, DVM, ABVP Avian, Oakley, CA

Assessment of poorly producing pairs must include evaluation of husbandry, unless it is known that the aviculturist is knowledgeable and experienced. Examine health and weight records, if available, for additional clues.

Some husbandry problems that might cause poor reproduction, or reproductive failure, include inadequate or inappropriate diet, caging, nest boxes, or perches; diets appropriate for pet birds but not stimulatory for breeding birds; and cyclic or flush feeding. Diets higher in protein and fat and special supplements may be indicated for birds in production.

Size, construction material, and placement of caging may influence reproduction. Consider the effects of neighbors, traffic, and disturbances. Vermin can profoundly affect reproduction. Consider the effects of rodents, cats, dogs, raccoons, ants, mosquitoes, or other biting insects. Weather conditions may be contributory, especially if a large portion of the flock is not producing as expected. Sanitation, water quality, and food hygiene can also have a profound effect on flock health and production. Nest boxes should be appropriate size and construction for the species. Nest material should be dry, of adequate quality and depth, and clean. Birds that soil their nest boxes tend to have relatively poor reproductive potential. Excessive heat in nest boxes, or boxes which leak or are too moist, can be a major problem. Perching must be adequate in size, types, stability, and placement for successful copulation.

Compatibility of the pair should be evaluated. Mate aggression is a major problem in some species. Male aggression toward females is well known in cockatoos and Amazons. But female aggression directed toward the male can also be a problem in Eclectus parrots, Buffon's macaws, and many Asian parakeet species.

Endoscopic examination can assist in detection of unrecognized stressful conditions by evaluation of the adrenal gland (S. C., unpublished data, 2006). Some pairs simply don’t like each other. Pairs in which the birds are always sitting at opposite sides of the cage are unlikely to have good production. If the bird's heads are not preened this is another sign of incompatibility. Ideally, the pair should sit together, enter or defend the nest box together, engage in allopreening, and eat together peacefully. If the pair approaches and attempts to attack the caretaker together, this is a good sign of a strong pair bond and good reproductive potential. Determine if the pair enters the nest box, "works" the nest, and in general appear to be compatible. Sometimes a bird might pair with a neighboring bird, or males in adjoining cages might spar, which can affect production.

Placement of the cage in the aviary, yard, or home may also have an impact if the birds are distracted, disturbed, agitated, too exposed, too enclosed or sheltered, too close to areas of high activity, too hot, etc. An extensive knowledge of the species involved is required to adequately evaluate many of these factors. Observation is also critical.

Detection of subclinical health problems can be revealed during the reproductive exam, but it is important to also look for problems that could specifically affect reproduction. Thorough examination under anesthesia may help to reveal oral problems such as papillomas, tumors, vitamin deficiencies, or infections. Keel scoring and recording of body weight can be important in determining if obesity or low body weight is a factor. Carefully examine feet and legs for signs of excessive wear or ulceration, constricted toe syndrome, arthritis of the feet or leg joints, overgrown nails, or other physical condition that may affect copulation.

Examination of the cloaca should include eversion to detect papillomas or other abnormalities of the cloaca and evaluation of fat pads that might preclude proper positioning for insemination. In a reproductively active female, the cloaca will be flaccid as hormonal stimulation readies the hen for laying.

December 2006

Reproductive Assessment in Psittacine Birds
Susan Clubb, DVM; Julia Zaias, DVM

The avian veterinarian can provide an important service to aviculturists in the assessment of newly-purchased breeding stock. Both male and female birds should be evaluated. Often, as in the case of infertile eggs, only the male is examined. A thorough history is important, including age and origin, as well as housing, husbandry, and medical history.

Individual birds are frequently offered for sale to naive aviculturists as breeding stock that are old, or not even true pairs. To a void the costs of reproductive exams, aviculturists often do their own diagnostics, sometimes only checking gender by DNA analysis of blood or feathers. This results in only a small portion of the information that would be included in a thorough veterinary exam.

Determination of age is an important part of the history. Fortunately, many domestically-raised birds are closed-banded with the year of hatching.

Some husbandry problems that contribute to poor reproduction include inappropriate diet, caging, nest boxes, perches and cage size. Also contributory are neighborhood traffic, frequent disturbance, vermin or pets, including dogs, cats, rats, opossums, raccoons, ants, mosquitoes, mites. Weather conditions can also be a factor.

Compatibility also needs to be considered, including mate aggression. Aggression against females is well documented in some cockatoos and Amazons. Aggression toward the male is likewise documented in eclectus parrots, Buffon's macaws, and some Asian parakeet species.

Examination of the cloaca should include eversion to detect papillomas or other abnormalities. Body weight of the birds can also influence mating contact.

An endoscopic examination should include all organs, not just the gonads. Undiagnosed air sacculitis, anthracosis, enlargement of the proventriculus, hepatic disease, renal disease may impact reproduction. Endoscopic exam will also reveal egg development and the condition of the testes.

Egg culture is also important for those pairs that lay eggs but do not produce young. Some pairs that never seem to produce eggs have been found to be eating their eggs.

A veterinary exam including endoscopy can provide insight into psittacine reproductive failure. When coupled with an assessment of husbandry, age, and other important factors, the veterinarian can assist the aviculturist in diagnosis of reproductive failure .

November 2006

Clinical Management of Feather Damaging Behavior
Associated with Inflammatory Skin Disease in Parrots
Susan L. Clubb, DVM, Dipl ABVP Avian

Inflammatory skin disease (ISD) in parrots can be a reflection of an underlying systemic inflammatory disease, and is associated with feather damaging behavior (FDB). ISD is mostly likely analogous to hypersensitivity or allergic dermatitis in mammals.

The predominant clinical signs of ISD are pruritus and plucking or damaging the feathers. Some birds also have dry, flaky skin. The skin often has insufficient subcutaneous fatty tissue, giving it a reddish color from muscle layers below. In severe cases, birds may mutilate the skin as well. Owners may describe the bird as having severe episodes of obvious discomfort, often jumping, twitching, or vocalizing as if irritated.

Onset may coincide with molting and may indicate follicular inflammation associated with the emergence of feathers. Birds may discontinue the behavior when moved to a new location, which may logically remove it from the offending allergens. Owners often report that they brought a FDB bird into their home and the behavior stopped. They may associate this change with improvements in diet or providing more toys while the response may actually be due to removal from the source of allergens. This response may be temporary as the bird becomes sensitized to new allergens in the new environment.

ISD cannot be definitively diagnosed by physical exam. Diagnosis is based on paired skin biopsy as previously described. In this procedure, the bird is anesthetized and two growing feathers with a small section of skin surrounding each are biopsied for histopathologic examination. One sample is taken from an area of skin where the bird is plucking, and another sample is taken from an area of skin where the bird is not plucking or cannot reach.

Therapy for ISD is based upon reduction or control of the allergic response with antihistamines (depending on species—not all bird species benefit from antihistamines), provision of a hypoallergenic diet if possible, elimination of allergens as much as possible, and provision of optimum levels of specific nutrients that help to control inflammation, and enhance metabolism. I have found supplementation and balancing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which is often used in other species to reduce inflammation, is also clinically beneficial in birds.

The standard approach when dogs are suspected of having food allergies is to simplify the diet as much as possible, excluding foods, especially proteins, that are suspected to be allergenic. The author has found that feeding an exclusion diet to birds may consist of a simplified balanced formulated diet to be clinically beneficial. I have used a hypoallergenic extruded diet based on rice and with high levels of flax seed and found it successful in some birds, but acceptance is often challenging (Kaytee Products, HA Prescription Diet, Chilton, WI, USA). Manufacturers of hypoallergenic diets for dogs generally recommend that the exclusion diet be provided as the sole diet for at least 8 weeks to assess success.

This can be challenging for many bird owners. Preferably, birds should be fed at the owner’s mealtime to reduce begging for human foods. Supplemental foods and treats should be provided from the list below.

• Cooked or canned salmon

• Cooked chicken

• Spinach or kale

• Green peppers

• Green beans

• Cooked eggs

• Almonds

• Shelled Brazil nuts (raw unsalted)

• Spirulina–(if marine algae)

• Olive oil

• Strawberries

• Cantaloupe

• Tofu

• Garlic

• Chickpeas

• Pinto beans

• Soybeans (roasted)

• Cottage cheese

• Sunflower seeds (shelled-limited quantity)

• Black beans

• Lentils

In the initial exclusion phase of dietary restrictions, additional foods should not be given. After the first two months, new foods should be added —one item a week—in order to detect specific items to which the bird may be sensitive.

Bathing, even with only fresh water, helps to reduce skin inflammation. I recommend bathing the bird at least twice weekly. Soak the bird with tepid, fresh water. Ideally, the bird should be allowed to dry in sunlight. A solution of aloe vera may be sprayed on the feathers and skin once or twice weekly, especially if the skin is very irritated (Aloe Vera Detoxifying Formula, Naturade, Inc, 14370 Myford Road, Irvine, CA, USA). One oz. contains 29.6 ml of aloe vera gel, 600 mg aloe vera pulp. Aloe vera gel or solution is mixed 2 tsp in 8 oz. water to spray on skin. To prevent buildup of aloe vera on feathers, intermittent fresh water baths are recommended. Aloe vera may also be administered in drinking water at the rate of 1/4 tsp in 1 cup water.

It is important to avoid getting oil supplements on the bird’s feathers because they can cause matting and discoloration. If feathers become soiled with oil, they can serve as a substrate for saprophytic fungi to grow on the feathers.

October 2006

Clinical Management of Psittacine Birds
Affected with Proventricular Dilatation Disease

Susan Clubb, DVM, Mary Jo Meyer

Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) is a devastating disease for affected birds. It is also psychologically and financially devastating for their owner/caretaker. Management of cases requires difficult decisions, specifically, euthanasia or long-term management. The diagnosis of PDD in an aviculture collection can have devastating financial effects on aviculturists. Conferring with your veterinarian as well as establishing a long-term management plan are important aspects of care. Clinical management of birds affected with PDD often becomes a flock management problem because so many owners of psittacine birds have multiple birds. Other alternatives for affected birds might be to place them in a rescue center that handles birds with PDD, or placement of the bird in a home with no other birds.

The social implications of a PDD diagnosis can also be devastating. Owners may be shunned from bird club functions or social interaction with other bird owners, or find it impossible to find a pet sitter. PDD can be hard to diagnose, take many forms, and have a very long incubation period. It is found that visually healthy birds were sometimes positive for PDD on crop biopsy. Waiting for the classic clinical signs such as vomiting or passing whole seeds will reveal only the tip of the iceberg. The bird owner should be encouraged to assess the disease status of his or her other birds, considering each bird individually.

To be in denial and avoid checking other birds in the home is placing them at risk. Early diagnosis can enhance therapeutic outcome. Mates of birds that succumb to PDD should not be automatically euthanized. These birds may have natural immunity to the disease and may be the best future breeders for an avicultural community hard hit by PDD. In consultation with your veterinarian, develop a treatment and control plan. Make the commitment not to bring more birds into the home, placing them at risk, or not to transfer exposed birds to others without disclosure.

Crop biopsy is a simple and safe procedure with limited risks. While crop biopsy has a high false negative rate, it is the best diagnostic tool that we have at this time and is useful as a screening tool. Other helpful tests include radiographs, endoscopy, and hematology and chemistry profiles. An exceptional test for live birds is fluoroscopy, but this is rarely available to private practitioners.

As an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the nerves and affects the digestive system, we must think about preventing the spread of the disease, reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and controlling secondary infections. And we must do this for a long time, probably a year or more.

Birds affected with PDD often ingest foreign bodies, especially pieces of wood. These materials may then be passed in vomitus or feces. The bird may be ingesting these materials in an attempt to provide relief from intestinal discomfort. These birds may need toys, perches, and cage accessories that cannot be chewed and ingested and may benefit from high fiber vegetables to fill this need.

With patience, perseverance, prolonged therapy, and attention to correction of secondary problems, many birds affected with PDD can be returned to health. Life expectancy at this time cannot be predicted. Unfortunately, until specific testing for the etiologic agent(s) is possible, the long-term prognosis is impossible to predict.

September 2006

A Clinical Case of Zinc Toxicosis and Potential Copper Toxicity from Toothbrushes
David Kersting, DVM
St Louis, MO

Zinc toxicity is a commonly discusses topic investigated by pet owners and avian veterinarians. New sources of toxic levels of zinc have been identified in the last 20 years. Clinically, a diagnosis of zinc toxicity has now al ways been straightforward—there is no pathognomonic signalment for zinc toxicosis. Clinical signs are nonspecific and include lethargy, anorexia, polydipsia, polyuria, diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting.

Case Report:

An 8-year-old male umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) presented for feather picking of three week's duration. The feather destruction began in the areas of the crop and neck and continued to include more extensive areas.

History included a work schedule change for the owner, a new cat in the house. Physical examination was within normal limits. A crop stain revealed increased numbers of yeast with 50% bussing. A fecal gram stain was normal.

The patient re-presented four weeks later with continued feather destruction.

A radiograph revealed abundant metal objects in the ventriculus. Size and shape varied, including straight wire shapes to square-edged 2-mm objects. The proventriculus was enlarged and the intestines were filled with gas.

A ventricular flush was performed through a cropotomy incision after packing off the cranial esophagus in relation to the crop. Approximately 40 20mm rectangular metal clips were flushed out. Despite aggressive flushing, 5 metal clips were left behind . The bird was discharged with antibiotics and an antifungal.

Two weeks later the feather destruction resumed. Three days from that, the owner discovered the source of the metal clips was from toothbrushes the bird had been given as toys. On radiograph, ten more metal clips and a probable plastic object were seen. The owner declined a second ventricular flush due to cost.

A toothbrush has multiple holes to allow the seating of multiple groups of bristles. A V-shaped bundle of bristles are seated into each hole and secured with a rectangular metal clip. Five toothbrushes representing five companies; Crest; Oral-b; Reach; Bright Choice; and Butler G.U.M. The heads contain an average of 31 metal clips. Zinc levels were from 255,000 to 306,000; Copper levels ranged from 680,000 ppm to 730,000 ppm. Lead was consistently less than 18 ppm.

The toothbrush was not recognized by this author as a potential toxic item and was often recommended as a safe toy. In fact, toothbrushes are NOT acceptable toys for parrots.

August 2006

This article is for the use of member clubs only and is protected by U.S. Copyright laws. Use by any group or organization not currently enrolled in the AAV Client Education Program, is strictly prohibited.

Considerations in Avicultural Setup
Susan L. Clubb, DVM
Loxahatchee, FL

Prior to establishment of an avicultural collection the aviculturist should determine the ultimate design goal. The important factors for consideration should be 1) indoor vs outdoor aviaries; 2) cage design; and 3) disease control.

Indoor vs outdoor aviaries.
Indoor housing has the advantage of easier pest control, ability to manipulate light and dark hours, temperature and humidity control, protection from the elements, and increased theft protection. However, due to increase proximity of other birds and less fresh air flow, the potential for spread of disease may be higher. Cost-per-unit of housing as well as maintenance costs are typically higher for indoor facilities. Further consideration include ease of maintenance (cleaning, sanitation), provision of full spectrum light, air quality control, and filling the psychological need of the birds.

Outdoor aviaries usually provide more space and cost less to build and maintain. Disadvantages include inability to control climatic factors, less efficient pest control, increased theft risk, and exposure to wild birds and predators. And unless unusual circumstances exist, fresh air and direct sunlight are easier to provide.

With outdoor aviaries, the suitability of the species as relates to the local environment is a factor. For example, species which inhabit dry, high-altitude environments may be unduly stressed if housed in a warm, humid climate.

Further considerations when planning any aviary include traffic flow through the aviary, sources of water and electricity, means to minimize disturbance, and inclement weather protection.

Cage Design
There are two primary styles of cages, suspended and ground-based. Suspended cages have the advantage of simple construction, ease of cleaning underneath, less expense. Because birds have less exposure to their feces and accumulated food waste, disease and parasite control is simplified. Alternatively, ground-based cages may provide more space and may be more aesthetically pleasing, but are more difficult to keep free of pests.

Other considerations in cage design include reduction of contamination of food and water, cage door size, escape-proofing, cage spacing or double wiring to prevent aggression between cage occupants, nestbox placement and design, and perch placement and design.

Disease control
nsects and other pests are possible vectors for disease and parasites as well as a source of irritation and disturbance for breeding birds. Cockroaches, ants, red mites, rodents, snakes, and large mammalian predators should be excluded from the aviary if at all possible. Electric wire, wire-screened cages for small birds, greasing or baffling poles supporting raised cages, and limited use of insecticides may be employed to exclude these pests from an aviary. Overhanging tree branches should be monitored as a source of access for predators.

Traffic flow should restrict caretakers from tracking disease or parasites on their shoes, between cages.

Release #8, August 2006. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Veterinarians may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481. Send your check for $95.00 for one year (within the US).

JULY 2006

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Use by any group or organization not currently enrolled in the
AAV Client Education Program, is strictly prohibited.

Atypical Sarcocystis in a Cockatoo

Sarcocystis is a coccidian parasite that is present throughout the world and undergoes sexual multiplication in the intestine of a definitive host. Sarcocystis falcatula is unusual in that the asexual life cycle occurs in birds and the sexual life cycle occurs in opossums. The opossum excretes feces containing infective sporocysts. The sporocysts are ingested by the intermediate host, the sporozoites are released and penetrate the gastrointestinal mucosa, and later, the meronts can be found in numerous organs.

Cockroaches that eat contaminated opossum feces can transmit sarcocystis by defecating in a bird's food or by being eaten by a bird. Adult New World Psittaciformes appear to be relatively resistant to the acute fatal pulmonary form, but my later develop muscle cysts if infected.

In this case, a 9-year-old Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) was presented for acute respiratory distress and a history of anorexia, lethargy, crop stasis, weakness, ataxia, polydipsia, and polyuria over the past five days. The bird had also fallen off of its perch. The bird had been purchases from a rescue facility in Georgia and moved to Wisconsin six years prior to presentation. The bird ate pellets and a variety of table food. Abnormalities included an increased respiratory rate, distended crop, feather loss over the sternum, and weakness. The bird was placed in an oxygen-rich environment, and treated with supportive care. The bird continued to decline, and stopped eating and refused tube feeding. The bird was ultimately euthanized due to weight loss and weakness.

Necropsy revealed signs consistent with a Sarcocystis infection. To the author's knowledge, Sarcocystis infection in a psittacine bird has never been reported in Wisconsin and may be a case of expanding range of opossums and the definitive host.

Release #7, July, 2006. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member?

JUNE 2006

AMAZON PARROT, IMPORTANT PATIENT AND FAMILY MEMBER
Alan M. Fudge, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian)

Amazon parrots (Amazona) are popular pets. Seasonal aggressive behavior can make them seem less desirable than other popular species. The Amazon parrot has served as a research subject for many clinical studies. Parasitism is uncommon. Amazons are susceptible to many of the same etiologic agents affecting other common parrots. Obesity and malnutrition combine as a common clinical problem that can affect longevity.

Other than the Spectacled Amazon (A. albifrons) and the yellow-lored Amazon (A. xantholora), Amazons are though to be monomorphic. (Ed note: There have not been in-depth studies of the feather patterns of male and female Amazons, so there may be undiscovered differences between sexes). Otherwise, gender determination can be ascertained with a DNA test of peripheral blood or by endoscopic examination of the gonads.

Egg production most commonly occurs after age 10. Amazons are typically subject to all of the negative effects of the classically-bad seed-and-fruit diet. The medical condition emerging as most common in the Amazon genus is obesity. Hose Amazons are lazy by nature and are not usually performing and significant exercise. Their caloric needs are far exceeded by their love for high fat nuts, seeds, and cheeses—all of which should be severely restricted. A diet consisting of mostly extruded formulated food products is preferable with little or no fat from any other source.

Amazons can also become overweight on a formulated diet, which would indicate a limit in the amount of food given each day, and the need for exercise. We also recommend safe daily outings (cage or carrier) that provide fresh air and direct sunlight.

Annual checkups are important for Amazons to keep ahead of potential problems. Problems to watch for include feather picking, respiratory problems, weight problems. Establishing a baseline value for that bird, with regular checkups, will help monitor health.

Problems include: hypocalcemia (not common, but seen in the older, malnourished bird), Sarcosporidiosis (Florida seems to have more cases), Chlamydophila, Mycobacterium, and Aspergillus. There are also viral diseases which can affect Amazons. Also, Amazons should also be monitored for toxicities if free-roaming out of the cage. Watch for evidence of chewing. Amazons used to be the top in incidence of lead toxicosis, now replaced by the cockatoo.

Release #6, June, 2006. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481. Send your check for $140.00 for one year (within the US)

MAY 2006

This article is for the use of member clubs only and is protected by U.S. Copyright laws.
Use by any group or organization not currently enrolled in the AAV Client Education Program, is strictly prohibited.

Suspected Chocolate Toxicosis in an African Grey
Gretchen Cole, DVM; Michael Murray, DVM

Chocolate toxicosis has been widely reported in dogs and numerous other domestic species. There are no documented reports of chocolate toxicosis in birds; however, many avian texts recognize the potential for this disease. It is suspected that birds could experience similar clinical signs and pathophysiology.

An adult African grey parrot was examined approximately 12 hours after eating a large chocolate doughnut. The bird was quiet, alert, responsive, dehydrated, and underweight. Dark green mucoid feces were passed during the examination. Supportive therapies were immediately initiated. Unfortunately, the bird was found de ad 24 hours after presentation. Histopathology results wee consistent with acute cardiovascular collapse. This may be secondary to ingestion of a toxic dose of theobromine, the substance found in chocolate. Necropsy findings on the bird were similar in many ways to findings on dogs with toxic doses of chocolate, including congestion of the liver, lung, kidneys, hyperplasia of the proventriculus (stomach in the do g). The similarities of pathology between canines and the bird in this case does not confirm toxicity, but it does suggest a common pathophysiology. Additional research is needed to test the pathophysiology of theobromine in birds. It is important to note that no additional cause of death could be found in this case, lending more weight to the suspected toxicosis.

Release #5, May 2006. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481.

APRIL 2006

Emergency Medicine for the Avian Patient
Marla Lichtenberger, DVM, Dipl ACVECC

As the number of birds kept as pets increases, so does the desire of bird owners to have the best quality medical care for their pets. Treatment of shock and critical care monitoring is complicated by the small size of the patient, the physiological diversity, and lack of research and clinical data on their response to therapy. Despite these impediments, the same principles and techniques used in domestic animals can be applied to avian patients.

Most birds do not show signs of illness in the early stages of disease. These birds will often present as emergencies because of their ability to mask clinical signs until the condition is severe. In all cases, I recommend that the bird be brought into the clinic for evaluation; if the owner is concerned enough to call, the bird is probably very sick and needs to be seen.

Once in the clinic, a trained triage person can assess the condition of the bird, determining if the bird needs immediate attention by the veterinarian or needs to be placed in an warmed, oxygen-rich environment. An examination of the bird's posture, droppings, physical appearance, weight, and attitude will dictate the next step.

If the bird is very weak, a physical exam may be postponed so as not to further stress the bird.

Treatments can include fluid therapy, blood pressure monitoring, pain management, evaluation of blood-gas parameters, nutritional supplementation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, radiographs, ultrasound, and lab tests for bacterial, fungal, or viral infections.

Release #4, April 2006. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481.

MARCH 2006
This article is for the use of member clubs only and is protected by U.S. Copyright laws. Use by any group or organization not currently enrolled in the AAV Client Education Program, is strictly prohibited.

Practical use of Foraging as a Means of Behavior Modification
M. Scott Echols, DVM, ABVP, Avian, Austin, TX

Self-destructive and stereotypical behavior problems are prevalent in captive-bred birds, especially psittacine species. Some of those troublesome are feather and skin picking/destruction. It has been suggested that one out of ten captive parrot species develop self-destructive behavior.

In field studies, it has been estimated that parrot species spend better than 50% of their time foraging for food. Because foraging occupies a significant portion of a bird's daily activity, it is likely to have social and behavioral importance. Captive Amazons, monitored by video camera, provided with food within easy reach, spent 3-6 minutes an hour ingesting food. The birds were then observed idle for a large amount of time. This is in contrast to wild parrots that are reported to actively forage for food for up to 4-6 hours a day.

The question becomes, If you remove the ability to perform a natural behavior, how does that affect other behaviors? In simple terms, the behaviors can be divided into three or four categories, these include foraging, socializing, grooming, and sleeping. While sleeping may not be categorized as a behavior, it likely represents an important aspect of a bird's health and may have behavioral implications.

The author is proposing the idea of behavior displacement. When one behavior is altered or abolished, other behaviors become more emphasized. If a bird is denied one or more normal behaviors (foraging, socialization) then the remaining behaviors (grooming/self-preening, sleeping), are emphasized. This is not to say that lack of foraging will lead to overzealous feather grooming, but it may be a risk factor.

In a study with orange-winged Amazons, both physical and foraging enrichments were used on test subjects. The physical enrichments included alternate perching sites, and moveable climbing and swinging objects intended to increase the physical complexity of the cage. Foraging required the birds to chew and sort through, manipulate, and/or open objects to get to food and were intended to provide the parrots with an opportunity to perform some amount of work to retrieve the food. A control group received no enrichments. After three 16-week periods, the control began to receive enrichments and birds from the enriched group were removed from the study. A feather scoring system was developed to evaluate feather damage. The end results after the 48 week test were that the birds used foraging over physical enrichment and that feather scores improved significantly as a result of enrichment. The authors concluded that they strongly recommended all populations of captive parrots be provided with a varied enrichment protocol designed to elicit foraging behaviors and enrichment interaction.

Release #3, March, 2006. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481.

FEBRUARY 2006
This article is for the use of member clubs only and is protected by U.S. Copyright laws. Use by any group or organization not currently enrolled in the AAV Client Education Program, is strictly prohibited.

The use of Feather Magnifications as a Diagnostic Tool for Feather Disorders
Julie Hebert, DVM; Corina Lupu, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian)

Feather disorders are frequently encountered in avian veterinary practice. If no obvious signs are found on physical examination, diagnostic tests may be recommended to rule out physical disease.

Although patterns of feather damage and lesions have been studied, no description of feather disorders based on microscopic examination appears to exist. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the value of feather magnification as a diagnostic tool. Only psittacine pennaceous feathers were used in this study.

Feather damage may occur during morphogenesis, resulting from poor nutrition, compromised digestion, or trauma to epithelial and vascular components.

Understanding how color is produced is important in understanding color changes. The array of color in feathers is produced by structure or by pigments. Blue, violet, ultraviolet, turquoise, and aquamarine are the result of the scattering of visible light within the barb medulla. Iridescence is the product of light dispersion by melanin granules suspended in the web created by opposing barbules.

Buff, grey, brown, black, and chestnut are produced by the pigment melanin bound particularly on the cortex of barbs.

Binding of psittacofulvins to this keratin cortex produces, in combination with structural blues, most of the green we see in feathers. Psittacofulvins on bare keratin produce yellow, orange, and red.

The common aberrations noted in feathers are: blue feathers turn pink, green feathers turn rust or yellow; blue and green feathers develop black patches; feathers lose color and intensity, grey feathers become red. Magnification allows us to observe the lesions underlying these changes.

For example: magnification of blue feathers turned pink reveals that the surface integrity of the feather is maintained. The disappearance of blue signifies a loss of structural integrity of the barb medulla, involving keratin, air vacuoles, and melanin vacuoles.

Black discoloration on green or blue feathers is most commonly attributed to liver damage, however, the connection between the feather and the liver has not been determined. Through magnification we can see different types of lesions. Although similar in appearance, different etiologies must be considered for these lesions, including external parasites, mycosis, and organopathy.

The sources of feather discolors are often determined by putting together the pieces of the puzzle. Feather magnification is designed to give us one more piece of that puzzle, especially if it is done routinely enough to allow us to make deductions from what we see. We found that feather magnification was a practical tool in that it was neither time consuming, cost prohibitive, nor a risk to the patient.

Release #2, February, 2006. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481.

JANUARY 2006
This article is for the use of member clubs only and is protected by U.S. Copyright laws. Use by any group or organization
not currently enrolled in the AAV Client Education Program, is strictly prohibited.

Clicker Training: Client-shaped Positive Reinforcement
Alan M. Fudge, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian)

     Clicker training has long been used by professional animal trainers for performances (marine mammal, circus, bird acts) and by canine obedience, agility, and conformation enthusiasts. Clicker training can help encourage desired behavior, reduce fear and anxiety, and provide emotional and physical outlets for our avian family members.
The process is straightforward—identify or encourage a behavior, mark the behavior (clicker), positively reinforce (treat or other reward), and practice often.
     Just about any psittacine species can benefit from this exercise. Other avian species reportedly trained also include doves, chickens, crows, ducks, emus, kookaburras, hawks, vultures, owls, starlings, and penguins.
Avian trainers and behaviorists vary in their approach towards shaping bird behavior. Commonly, captive-reared psittacines are brilliant at training owners to suit their needs, rapidly learning to reinforce "owner" behavior. This pattern of interaction may lead to reinforcement of culturally undesirable behavior patterns. These behavior patterns may contribute to feather/skin damaging behavior, biting, screaming and unwanted egg-laying in the single female. Some people will promote teaching the bird who’s the boss; others will try to integrate the parrot into the family flock. While these ideas may have merit, others will argue that these interactions are counter to social interaction by the species in the wild.
     Clicker training can provide an aid to teach your bird anything he or she is mentally and physically capable of learning. Clinically, clicker training may help reduce problem behaviors. Operant conditioning happens when an animal performs a behavior and then learns the consequences of its behavior. Consequences could be one of the following: positive reinforcement (goal of clicker training), punishment (often ineffective or worse in birds), or no consequence. Behavior that is not rewarded may fade away by a process called extinction. Reinforced behaviors tend to increase in frequency, intensity, and duration. So this is point of the whole plan–focus on the positive hopefully with a happier bird and owner. Undesirable behavior, such as biting and screaming can tend to fade away. Young birds should be weaned before clicker training. Older birds can easily be clicker-trained. The exercise can be easily performed by a motivated child.
     Plan on starting with only 3–5 minutes a day, working up to 20 minutes if all is going well. Experienced trainers advocate keeping a journal of your training sessions.
This about "paying" your companion after signaling (clicker) at the precise time the desired behavior is performed. Some birds aren’t motivated by treats. Other birds don’t need the calories (for example an obese budgie). Nonfood treats can include verbal rewards or physical rewards, such as head rubbing.

Basic Training Plan
1. Get the behavior
2. Mark the behavior with a cue
3. Reinforce the behavior
4. Refine the behavior
5. Add a cue
A variety of other "tricks" can be more easily trained and reinforced with clicker training. Problem behaviors, including screaming and biting may be helped. This assumes that the bird owner is equipped and motivated to apply a small investment in time.

Learning and Training References and Resources
.. www.clickertraining.com Source of clicker training books seminars, and supplies for birds, dogs and other species.
.. www.naturalencounters.com Bird Trainer Steve Martin’s website
.. www.hsnp.com Bob Bailey’s chicken-training workshops
.. Johnson, Melinda, Clicker Training for Birds, Sunshine Books, 2004, Waltham MA (recommended and available from www.clickertraining.com)
..Melinda co-hosts a listserve Bird Click (receive an email digest of member discussions) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bird-Click/; downloadable guides.
.Morrow, Linda, Clicking with Birds, 2002 (recommended and available from her website: http://community-2.webtv.net/Lincomacaws/ClickingwithBirds/). Linda’s website has downloadable resource guides in addition to her book for sale. Linda also maintains a listserve- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clickbirds/
.. Sources of clickers: dog shows, bird stores, pet stores, including Petco and PetsMart; ww.clickertraining.com

Release #1, January, 2006. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481.

2005 Archives

January 2005 News Release

The Veterinary Behaviorist and Clinical Behavior Medicine;
Feather Damaging Behavior

Jeleen A. Briscoe, VMD, Ilana R Reisner, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVB,
Karen Rosenthal, DVM, MS, Dipl ABVP, DVM, Dipl Avian

The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists was established in 1993. Even though avian veterinarians have struggled over the last three decades with the behavioral aspects of feather damage, veterinary behaviorists have rarely been included in these discussions. The reasons are unclear. One possible reason is the lack of familiarity with psittacine species on the part of the behaviorist. Not enough is known concerning the normal behavior of most pet bird species, and even viewing these birds as domesticated makes establishing protocols a formidable challenge.

Instead of working with veterinary behaviorists, avian veterinarians have historically relied on lay parrot behavior consultants to "correct" feather damaging behavior. Ideally, the parrot behavior consultant gathers information from the owner on the environment and the behavior of the bird and proposes behavior modification techniques and other treatments specific to that bird. This far, there are no standards of training for lay parrot behavior consultants.

Unfortunately, it appears that only a small number of parrot behavior consultants are willing to work closely with veterinarians on the diagnosis and treatment of feather damaging behavior. Without standards or an association, no protocols can be established, peer review and scientific discussion are lacking, and advancements on this area of veterinary medicine are stymied.

Members of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists are subject to rigorous standards: they must have complete a small animal internship or its equivalent, a two or three year residency program, and have passed a certifying examination. Using this training, they bring an integrated knowledge of health, pathology, medical and pharmacological care across species to help solve complicated disorders such as feather damage in birds. Veterinary behaviorists are trained in collecting detailed behavioral histories, evaluating normal and abnormal behaviors, and understanding the development of behavioral disorders, and applying these to a treatment plan.

Obviously, feather damaging behavior is a complicated disorder. Primate research has shown that there are medical aspects of this problem that we are only beginning to comprehend. Our efforts over the last three decades have often been met with failure and discouragement. It is evident that a new approach should be taken. We propose that this new methodology incorporate the expertise of both the avian veterinarian and the veterinary behaviorist. We strongly feel that collaboration is essential if we are to have success in diagnosing and treating this complicated and frustrating disease.

Release #1, January, 2005. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481.

February 2005 News Release

The Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Amazon Parrot:
A Veterinary Overview

Antonio Rivera, DVM, Fernando Nunez-Garcia, MS; Jafet Velez, MS; Wilfredo Abreu, FT; Pablo Torres, MS; Ricardo Valentin, MS; Sandra Viscal, DVM

The Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona Vittata), a 30-33 cm, 250-300 gram red-fronted, green parrot with white eye rings, is the last endemic psittacine that inhabits the Caribbean National Forest (CNF) known as El Yunque on the island of Puerto Rico. There were an estimated 2,000 individuals in 1930. By 1967 only 24 birds remained in the wild. In 1975, only 13 birds were in the Luquillo Mountains. Extinction was eminent, and a captive breeding program was instituted. The first captive bird was raised in 1979.

Thanks to an aggressive protective program, there has been a decline in habitat loss, nest robbing, hunting.

Currently, in the Luquillo Mountains within the Caribbean National Forest only one wild flock of approximately 40 individuals exists. Two captive populations are held in two separate aviaries, one group at the CNF managed by the USFWS and the other at Rio Abajo State Forest in Utuado. A second flock of captive-raised Puerto Rican Amazons is to be releases in 2006 in the Karst region in the mountains of Utuado at Rio Abajo.

During the last 36 years, these efforts have concentrated on gaining a better understanding of the breeding biology and requirements of this species as well as on the management of the habitat, the wild population, and the establishment and management of a captive population.

Routine veterinary input at both facilities was achieved through frequent aviary visits to both aviaries. Improvements to the aviary hospital are constantly done, with the purpose of providing the birds better medical care. Time is spent with aviary personnel, aviculturist and field biologist.

The next News Release will cover the program of egg-related problems and disease control as well as notes from the field.

March 2005 News Release

The Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Amazon Parrot:
A Veterinary Overview, Part II
Antonio Rivera, DVM, Fernando Nunez-Garcia, MS; Jafet Velez, MS; Wilfredo Abreu, FT;
Pablo Torres, MS; Ricardo Valentin, MS; Sandra Viscal, DVM

Continuing the report on the breeding and re-establishment projects for the Puerto Rican Parrot as reported in the February AAV News Release, egg contamination, infertility, and infant mortality had been a major problem in the Luquillo aviary. High environmental humidity was associated with fungal and bacterial overgrowth of the nest material, and with subsequent contamination of eggs and young. To lower mortality of the young, the nest materials were autoclaved. By using autoclaved nest material during egg laying, prior to hatching and during development of the young, and with thorough disinfection of the nests, fungal and bacterial growth was controlled. The measures yielded increased survival of the young.

Periodically, bird aggression can result in cannibalization of baby birds. Egg abandonment, and infertility can also be a serious problem. Male aggression can result of psychological caponization of a neighboring male. Therefore, cages of aggressive pairs were alternated with Hispaniolan Amazon pairs, and cages of docile pairs were placed next to each other. Visual barriers were also put in place to minimize disturbance from neighboring birds. Closed-circuit cameras located on all of the flocking and breeding cages were used at the Luquillo aviary. This is essential in helping to identify aggressive birds and in targeting potential problems.

Wild bird nestlings were blood-tested in the field for disease, including Salmonella, polyomavirus, psittacine beak and feather disease, Chlamydophila psittaci, and Pacheco's disease, as well as bacteriological and fungal cultures, and choanal and cloacal Gram's stains. As a result of this testing, two babies were treated in the nest. One bird was subsequently selected to be removed, treated at the Luquillo facility, and later returned to the nest. Both young fledged from the nest which was maintained as an active nest site.

DNA samples from each wild baby are recorded for genetic composition. Based on these tests, wild birds may be interchanged with captive-raised birds in order to increase genetic diversity of the population.

All active nests are visited by the veterinarian and all nestlings are examined several times prior to fledging as a part of a routine management plan. Also, 5% Sevin dust has been used in the nests to help prevent infestation by warble flies. This treatment also deters fire ants, termites, soldier fly larvae, etc. This may also treat the parent birds for external parasites commonly found on wild birds. Ivermectin has also been used successfully to treat birds infested with larval warble flies.

The work performed by the avian veterinarians is fundamental in the process involved in any recovery program. Veterinarians play an extremely important role in the recovery of any threatened species. It is by understanding the biological, medical, and ecological aspects that helps a species and its reintegration into the wild.

April 2005 News Release

Rearing Environment and Behavioral Development of Psittacine Birds
Andrew U. Luescher, DVM, PhD, Dipl ACVB, and Kathryn L. Sheehan, MS

The environment in which animals develop has been shown to have significant effects on the development of young animals. Most studies have focused either on handling or physical or social enrichment of the environment, and have shown that these can reduce emotionality and fear, as well as improve learning ability. Enrichment also promotes species typical behavior, reduces abnormal behavior, and contributes to physiological homeostasis. Enrichment of the early environment also results in enhanced development of the central nervous system.

In order to test the effects of rearing condition on development, emotional reactivity, and learning ability, 48 domestically bred Nanday conure young (Nandayus nenday) were hand-raised using different methods in a 2 x 2 factorial design: Enriched environment vs. Restricted, and Handled vs. Non Handled. Enrichment was social (other chick in same tub), physical (soft toys), and sensory (colorful environment, view of the room). Non Enriched babies were kept alone, with brown wrapping paper on the outside of their tubs. Handling referred to 15 minutes of gentle daily handling beyond the routine feeding.

When the young were 3 weeks of age, subjects were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups of 12 birds each and were raised in these treatments for 6 weeks. The baby's physical development was quantitatively monitored (weight, feather length, and weaning age), and they were subjected to various tests to measure emotionality. In the novel object test, performed at different ages between 4 and 9 weeks of age (each bird was only tested once), initial reaction to the object, the time that it took to approach and touch a novel object, and the duration of active exploration of the object were measured. In the novel conspecific test performed about 9 weeks of age, it was observed whether the bird approached the other bird within a minute. In the open field test performed at about 10 weeks of age, the observer counted the numbers of floor squares entered and the numbers of seed (distributed evenly over the open field) eaten. The emergence test measured the delay until a baby emerged from a dark box.

Regarding the birds’ physical development, Enriched birds weighed slightly more than Restricted birds at six weeks of age. There was no evidence that rearing condition affected their final weight, feather growth, or age at weaning. This is possibly because the birds were not subjected to treatment conditions at an early enough age.

Behaviorally, this study found that both enrichment and handling resulted in a significant decrease in the birds’ fear levels in a variety of situations. When presented with a novel object, Handled birds touched it sooner, and both handling and enrichment had a significant effect prolonging the duration of exploration. The age at which the test was performed did not influence treatment effect. However, older birds (except the Enriched, Non Handled group) showed increased initial fear of the object with increased age.

Additionally, Restricted Non Handled birds were less likely to approach a novel item than any of the others. Handled birds entered more squares in an Open Field, although the measurements of latency and the numbers of seeds eaten did not differ. There was no difference in the delay to emerge from a dark box. Fully grown (4 weeks after weaning, about 16 weeks of age) Handled birds, following infrequent handling for the previous 9 weeks, took a hand-held treat sooner, and were more likely to allow the experimenter to restrain them, suggesting long-lasting consequences of early experience. Handling appeared to have differential effects on Enriched versus Restricted birds concerning the likelihood that they started biting after weaning. Handled Restricted birds were less likely to bite while Handled Enriched birds were more likely. This is probably because Restricted birds were housed alone and so bonded more strongly to the handler than Enriched birds, who were housed with a conspecific.

This study found no evidence that enrichment or handling affected the conures’ learning ability in a Color Discrimination test 6 weeks post weaning. It is probable that the test was not difficult enough to detect any differences, so a more challenging test at a later age when birds are keener to get solid food should be devised for future studies.

It is concluded that enhancing the rearing environment of psittacine birds through enrichment and handling will improve their psychological and physical well-being and should be incorporated into the rearing practices of facilities breeding for the pet trade. It is predicted that such rearing methods will improve the ability of a parrot to adjust to captive life, and that the incidence of stress-related problems might be reduced. These results support criticism of factory-like mass-production of birds with minimal handling, no social contact, using opaque tubs without enrichment.

Release #5, May 2005. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481.

June 2005 News Release
This article is for the use of member clubs only and is protected by U.S. Copyright laws. Use by any group or organization not currently enrolled in the AAV Client Education Program, is strictly prohibited.

The Downside of the Good Life: Problem Sexual
Behaviors of Companion Parrots
Fern Van Sant, DVM, San Jose, CA

Psittacines are popular because they demonstrate social behavior that humans find appealing. They are beautiful, intelligent and can mimic many of our sounds. Understanding how these behaviors can be triggered by specific actions or conditions will lead to better and healthier lives for captive psittacines.

Experience and observation tells us that environmental triggers are capable of inciting reproductive behaviors. Reproductive behaviors observed in the wild, such as pair-bonding, cavity seeking, regurgitation, nest building, territoriality, and copulation are often displayed in the human home setting. Females of some species will lay large numbers of eggs over extended periods of time, leading to complete physical collapse and failure. The reproductive drive can also render the bird impossible to live with. These behaviors include screaming , sudden aggression, destructive attempts to excavate nests in closets and furniture.

Bird owners often indulge their birds, providing them with a nutrient-rich diet, provide a nest (cage), nesting materials (newspaper) and often provide themselves as a perceived mate. Pair-bonding is encouraged by preening (petting).

By carefully examining the many complicated interactions between psittacine birds and their various natural environments, we will be better able to interpret social and sexual behaviors of captive companion psittacines. The improved understanding will lead to more effective intervention when necessary and hopefully, improved preventative care.

Release #6, June, 2005. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member? Individuals wishing to subscribe to the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery may write to: AAV - P.O. Box 811720 Boca Raton, FL. 33481.

July 2005 News Release

That time of the year: Seasonal reproductive disorders in birds

Lynne M. Seibert, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl ACVB;

Jennifer Graham, DVM, Dipl ABVP Avian

Reproductive behaviors such as screaming, biting, and masturbation are a common source of frustration for pet bird owners. Understanding differences in male and female reproductive anatomy as well as species differences in reproductive maturity onset are important concepts.

Reproductive maturity is often related to the size of the bird. The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) reaches puberty at about two months of age. Small parrot types such as the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and lovebird (Agapornis spp) are mature between six and 12 months of age. Larger psittacines mature between three and six years of age.

A variety of abnormalities must be considered in birds with seasonal behavior changes. Any underlying medical problems must first be ruled out, whether a concurrent condition or the sole cause of the change. Egg bonding can be a life-threatening concern for a hen, and secondary to chronic egg-laying, malnutrition, or obesity. This problem is common in cockatiels, canaries, and finches. Other problems include oviductal prolapse, uterine torsion, oviductal impaction, salpingitis, cystic hyperplasia of the oviduct, oviductal rupture, and parasites of the oviductal tract are possible medical problems in a mature hen. Males can have such problems as testicular neoplasia (more common in budgerigars) and cloacal prolapse (seen in bird with chronic masturbation and straining), both life-threatening. Related medical concerns should be discussed with a veterinarian, as the full scope of these problems is too extensive for this article.

Release #7, July, 2005. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member?

August 2005 News Release

Obesity and its Consequences in an Amazon Parrot
Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Avian

Due to the feeding of high-fat, all-seed diets and the sedentary life-style of many companion bird species, obesity is a widespread problem among pet birds. Species in which obesity is common include cockatoos, budgerigars, Amazon parrots, African grey parrots, cockatiels, lovebirds, Quaker parrots, and macaws. This case involves an obese Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva aestiva) with a post mortem diagnosis of severe hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) and diffuse atherosclerosis.

An 11-year-old Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva aestiva) was examined following an episode of weakness, regurgitation, and disoriented behavior. Radiographs showed enlarged heart and liver shadows. Despite treatment and a change in diet, the bird became weaker and more disoriented. Six months after the bird’s initial examination, the bird died under anesthesia for radiographs. Necropsy showed gross obesity, severe hepatic lipidosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and atherosclerosis.

This case demonstrates how a high-fat diet, such as seeds, may result in obesity and may be associated with several important clinical syndromes, including atherosclerosis, cardiovascular dysfunction, and hepatic lipidosis. In this case, occlusion of the coronary arteries and the aortic valve was theorized to have caused left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and death. Atherosclerosis occurs when vessel walls become rigid and thickened secondary to the formation of lipid-laden plaques. In addition, hepatic lipidosis can result from the deposition of excess dietary fat in liver cells. Other pathologic conditions that may be associated with high-fat diets and obesity include reproductive disease (including infertility, egg yolk peritonitis and egg binding), musculoskeletal abnormalities, hypertension, cardiovascular dysfunction, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, lipomas, thyroid dysfunction, and gastrointestinal malabsorption. High-fat diets may lead to diarrhea and deficiencies of certain nutrients, such as calcium and vitamins A and E.

Treatment of obesity includes increasing exercise and changing to a lower fat, higher fiber diet to promote gradual weight loss (not greater than 1-3 % body weight per week). Any concurrent disease should also be treated.

Release #8, August, 2005. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member?

Release No 9, September 2005

Suspected Chocolate Toxicosis in an African Grey Parrot
Gretchen Cole, DVM; Michael Murray, DVM

A 6-year-old adult male African grey was examined approximately 12 hours after ingesting a large chocolate donut. The bird was quiet, alert, responsive, dehydrated, and underweight. Dark green mucoid feces were passed during the examination. Supportive therapies were begun immediately. Unfortunately, the bird was found dead 24 hours after the initial exam. The ultimate cause of death was acute cardiovascular collapse and shock. This may be secondary to a toxic dose of theobromine, the methylxanthine found in chocolate.

In dogs with confirmed theobromine toxicoses, the common histopathologic findings include congestion of the lungs, kidneys, pancreas, and liver, swollen gastric and duodenal mucosa, scattered hemorrhages, renal hyperemia, and right heart degenerative changes.

The bird exhibited similar findings, including congestion of the lungs, liver, kidneys, and hyperplasia of the proventriculus. The similarities between the canine and avian pathology does not confirm toxicity, but it does suggest a common pathophysiology. Additional research is needed to test the effect of theobromine in birds. It is important to note that no additional cause of death could be found in this case.

Release #9, September, 2005. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member?

Release No 10, October 2005

Atypical presentation of proventricular dilatation disease in a yellow-headed Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala oratrix).

Tarah Hadley, DVM; Laurie Head, DVM, Dipl ACVR; David Rotstein, DVM, Dipl ACVP; Cheryl Cross, DVM;
Rebecca Gompf, DVM, Dipl ACVIM; Cheryl Greenacre, DVM, Dipl ABVP

Proventricular dilatation disease is characrterized as a lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration of the nerves of the gastrointestinal tract. The incubation period and potential routes of infection are currently under investigation. Once clinical signs develop, younger birds may succumb to disease in as early as a week, while older birds may develop a protracted course of the disease lasting several months to years.

An approximately 49-year-old yellow-headed Amazon Parrot presented with a several-day history of decreased appetite and decreased vocalization. The owner reported that the bird made choking sounds for the past two days. The bird had lived with the current owner for six months. The bird had lived with a relative of the current owner for about 48 years, as the only bird in the house. The bird had been recently seen for a wellness exam. A mild nasal discharge was found at that time, and the bird was overweight at 420 g. Thirty days prior to final presentation the bird presented with a history of falling off of its perch. The bird weighed 393 g, still over-conditioned, and the bird was discharged with oral antibiotics for suspected bilateral hock joint stiffness due to decreased range of motion.

On the current examination, the bird was weak, emaciated, and dehydrated. It weighed 300 g with a body condition score of 2/9. Undigested food had accumulated on the lower beak and a heart murmur was heard. A GI contrast study was performed. The thoracic esophagus had an area of irregular contrast filling on the right side along the ventral aspect of the esophagus. Adequate filling of the esophagus could not be documented and the proximal proventriculus appeared irregular and thickened. Radiographs of the bird revealed a normal-shaped proventriculus. Three days later the proventricular and ventricular muscles were still within normal limits. The time that the contrast media took to reach the intestines and cloaca was severely decreased.

Possible causes of the irregularities included and ulcerated granuloma in the thoracic esophagus and an infiltrative process in the proventriculus. The owner elected euthanasia at that time because of the grave prognosis for recovery.

A complete necropsy was performed. There was a narrowing of the junction between the proventriculus and ventriculus with marked dilation of the proventriculus and mild dilation of the ventriculus.

This case of PDD was unusual because of the hypermotility, the decreased GI transit time, and the relatively fast progression of the disease in an older bird. Clinical signs consistent with PDD in this case were weight loss, falling off the perch, difficulty standing, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated creatine phosphokinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels.

Release #10, October, 2005. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member?

Release #11, November, 2005

The Biological, Ethical, and Human Health Aspects of Wildlife Conservation and Rehabilitation
James M. Harris, DVM

We humans evolved as a species connected to and part of the flora and fauna with which we share. It has been suggested that our mental and emotional health in some ways is partly dependent on the opportunity for us to nurture. This relationship existed for eons until recent times. The rise of the Industrial Revolution, improved health care, and the human population explosion all contributed to human numbers exceeding their loading capacity. Overpopulation, land acquisition, agriculture, and the urbanization of society has led to massive habitat destruction and humans isolated from the “Living Environment.”

Our technologically-oriented society has reached out to nature to make amends for the destruction we have created. The questions now is: how much good are we accomplishing and how much real and potential damage are we doing with our efforts?

In the 1970's, the California Condor Project started. The species was reduced to less than 20 birds. Evolved as a carrion eater of large herbivores, the species was biologically doomed with the extinction of the wooly mammoth and other large hoof stock that roamed North America. Lead and poisons introduced by humans further reduced their numbers. One of the biologists working on the project was asked by the press why bother saving condors? His reply is a classic to be remembered by us all. To paraphrase his answer: “The reason to save condors is not so much that man needs condors but, in developing the skills and techniques required to save condors, Man may learn to save himself!”

Conservation and wildlife rehabilitation are the buzz words of our efforts to reconnect with nature. Species close to extinction are often kept in captive breeding programs, but if the genetic pool is limited, one must wonder if there is a viable population to work with. Furthermore, if there is no habitat suitable for release, the numbers produced have no chance for a free existence, but are doomed to spend their lives in captivity. When down to the last member of a species, we now toy with the fantasy of freezing it hopeful that, one day, we can recreate it from the genetic material in the freezer.

In the last three decades, wildlife rehabilitation has become a popular endeavor, reasonably well organized in “First World” countries, but always lacking funds. Centers, training programs, and international organizations have rushed in to fill the need. Is this effort of any value to wildlife? What are the ethical, moral, and humane aspects of keeping and caring for wildlife? If an individual cannot be released because of some infirmity, is it appropriate to keep it confined in captivity for the term of its natural life. There is no such thing as an aged individual in “Nature.”
Biologically, unless a rescued, rehabilitated individual can complete at least one successful reproductive cycle, the efforts to save it have been of no value to that species. Furthermore, there must be concern that during the period of time that the creature was cared for pathogens were not introduced that might have devastating effects on the wild population after reintroduction. Can this be addressed? Where is the funding for this?

An example from first-hand experience involved California murres (“U algae”) oiled off the coast of North America. The birds were de-oiled and kept in a facility located in a municipal park by International Bird Rescue Research Center, an organization formed in the early 1970's, to care for oiled sea birds. There were about 27 birds in this group. After de-oiling, some were released to swim back to the offshore islands they came from. The released birds were not strong enough and were recaptured shortly after release when washed up on the beach. A few days later, proliferative lesions started to form at the commissures of beaks. These rapidly progressed to massive lesions of the head and all the birds died. They all ate well until death, some dying with fish in their mouths. The first pathologist that evaluated the tissue sections of lesions described papillomas and suggested that this may have spread from fish in the area that were known to have a viral papilloma. Further examination revealed Bollinger bodies. The birds had classic pox. It was discovered that avian pox was endemic in the blackbirds in the park and there was a high population of mosquitoes and biting flies in the area. If the affected birds had returned to their islands where there were huge swarms of biting flies the whole population of birds, some 200,000 breeding pairs might have been lost.

Good Intentions, Bad Ideas.
During the early 1970's, birds arriving at oil spill receiving centers often had been seen first by “well-meaning” veterinarians. Some of these birds arrived accompanied by medical records listing observations and medications administered. Most birds had undergone “poly-pharmacy.” In one case, 26 different medications had been administered by every conceivable route.
This brings us to another point: medicines, antimicrobials and the like, used unnecessarily or at improper doses for improper periods of time. The issue of antibiotic resistance is a can of worms we have opened and seem to ignore most of the time.

Human Health Issues
What are the issues involving humans in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation? Zoonotic diseases need to be addressed. Are workers current on tetanus protection? Rabies virus is an issue for those working with bats, great-horned owls, and mammals. Eye protection must be provided and in use when working with fish-spearing birds. Personal hygiene is an issue with all activities. As an example, Salmonella species must be assumed to be an issue when working with all reptiles. If volunteer manpower is used, are people briefed on issues of death and loss? Is there a mental health care professional available? People who “rescue” creatures are at increased risk of having pathological grief responses when loss occurs. Personalizing and humanizing creatures also puts people at increased risk of burnout. These issues must be addressed in training sessions prior to having volunteers participate in programs. Professionals can also be at risk when overwhelmed by the extent of a situation. We must always remember to care for the caregiver.
Finally, there must be realization that monitoring programs, subjects, and human participants requires an expenditure of funds in addition to the actual costs of the rehabilitation and conservation efforts.

Release #11, November, 2005. The Association of Avian Veterinarians welcomes membership from veterinarians with an interest in avian medicine. Annual meetings and a quarterly journal provide a format for the latest in avian medical information. Is your veterinarian a member?