Uric Acid Ingluviolith in a Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

This clinical report describes an adult, female budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) diagnosed with an ingluviolith. The patient presented for intermittent regurgitation, and a palpable foreign body was present in the crop. Radiographs showed a radiopaque foreign body, and computed tomography showed an approximately 16 × 12 mm (length 3 width) structure in the crop with a soft tissue and focally mineralized center and a 2-3 mm-thick mineral-attenuating shell. An ingluviotomy was performed. The stone was first analyzed using polarized optical crystallography, a method that cannot analyze uric acid salts, and was incorrectly deemed a cystine calculus. The calculus was then analyzed using infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometry and was confirmed to be a shell of subcrystalline to monoclinic crystals of anhydrous uric acid (C5H4N4O3) encrusting aggregates of numerous, threadlike, protein-based fibers. This case presents new information regarding avian ingluviolithiasis. The large size of the calculus indicates formation in the crop, and coprophagia linked to stress is thought to be the potential reason for urate and feather ingestion.

Perforating foreign body in the ventriculus of an umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba).

A 4-year-old male umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) with a history of ingestion of foreign material from chewing on a household appliance presented for lethargy, inappetance, and regurgitation of 2 days duration. Foreign bodies identified on radiograph included a wire 2 cm in length in the proventriculus, a wire 3 cm in length in the ventriculus, and several pieces of rubber and plastic throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis of a perforating ventricular foreign body was made through plain and contrast radiography. The proventricular wire was removed endoscopically but endoscopic retrieval was not successful in locating the ventricular wire. A ventriculotomy was done to remove the wire, which had perforated the ventriculus cranially and imbedded into the parenchyma of the liver. The wire was extracted from the center of a large nonresectable granuloma that incorporated the left liver lobe. The bird recovered from surgery but died from complications 3 months later. Postmortem examination revealed localized coelomitis and hepatic necrosis associated with the perforation.

Hedgehog care and husbandry.

An understanding of the unique behavior of hedgehogs is discussed,and is instrumental in approaching their nutrition, husbandry, and medical care. Physical examination, sample collection, anesthesia,hospitalization, and common signs of illness are presented.

Excellence in exotics: Case report: urolithiasis in a female Guinea pig.

A 2-year-old, intact female guinea pig presented to the clinic for a history of squealing and straining to urinate for 2 days. The husbandry of this animal was acceptable, and the diet consisted of commercial alfalfa-based guinea pig pellets, alfalfa hay, a variety of vegetables, and a water-soluble vitamin C supplement.

Excellence in exotics: Practice tip: ferret urinary tract catheterization.

In ferrets, urinary tract catheterization is most often indicated for neutered males with a urethral obstruction. Obstructions are commonly caused by prostatic enlargement secondary to adrenal tumor hormone production or, less commonly, by urolithiasis. A ferret with a urethral obstruction needs immediate intervention to relieve the obstruction.

Crop burn in an umbrella cockatoo.

An 18-week-old umbrella cockatoo presented for continuous vocalization and one episode of regurgitation. The bird had been purchased 3 weeks before presentation and was the first large pet bird owned by this family. The cockatoo was fed a commercial baby bird formula that the owners were heating in the microwave before feeding. The owner had been instructed on formula feeding by the pet store personnel when the bird was purchased.

Grooming in pet birds.

Grooming a bird refers to clipping wing feathers, trimming claws (nails), and on occasion, smoothing and trimming the beak. A veterinarian or experienced technician can perform this service on an otherwise healthy bird. Some disease states can result in nail and beak problems; consequently, all birds should be properly examined at regular intervals every 6 to 12 months.