Evaluation of diagnostic criteria in grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) with suspected atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis is a common disease in older psittacines living in captivity with inadequate housing conditions. However, diagnosis in the living bird remains difficult and the disease is often only recognized during post mortem examination. In this context, we aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of currently reported methods in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 7 clinically healthy African grey parrots and 32 African grey parrots with suspected atherosclerosis were evaluated in this study. An overall scoring system was implemented based on clinical signs, measurement of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a radiographic exam, and an echocardiogram in B-mode. Furthermore, measurements of the blood flow velocity in the aortic root, heart rate and velocity time integral were performed using the spectral Doppler ultrasonographic function. RESULTS: Measurements of the blood flow velocity in the aortic root showed highly significant differences between the clinically healthy group and a subset of the patient group. Significant differences between the groups also were evident concerning the results of the overall scoring and of the initial examinations. CONCLUSION: The results support that combining spectral Doppler ultrasonographic examination with other diagnostic options may be used to substantiate suspected atherosclerosis and provide additional information regarding the cardiovascular status of the patient. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The presented findings indicate that employing the described diagnostic methods allows for an intra vitam diagnosis of atherosclerosis and therefore an earlier initiation of treatment.

Heart Disease in Pet Birds - Diagnostic Options.

Cardiovascular diseases are common in pet birds. Diagnosis is often made postmortem only. In any case, suspicious for cardiac disease, a full diagnostic work up should be applied. First indications are given by the anamnestic data. Relative predisposition to cardiovascular diseases is associated with the species, breed, age, gender, lifestyle, and diet. Clinical signs and examination can reveal further indications of cardiovascular diseases, but may be unspecific or even without any pathologic finding. Diagnostic imaging, at least radiography, and echocardiography are always recommended. Advanced imaging methods, especially angiocardiography, can be valuable but is also more invasive and expensive.

Radiography and Ultrasonography in the Backyard Poultry and Waterfowl Patient.

The keeping of backyard poultry and waterfowl as pets has become increasingly popular in recent years, resulting in a rising case load of these patients in veterinary practices. Diagnostic imaging techniques are taking a leading role in rapid diagnosis in the live bird. We provide an overview of the most important points regarding radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging procedures in these birds. We also review the most commonly documented radiographic and ultrasonographic signs in these species, as well as discuss unique anatomic characteristics with which the veterinarian should be familiar.

The effects of isoflurane anaesthesia on some Doppler-derived cardiac parameters in the common buzzard (Buteo buteo).

In order to gain an initial overview of the influence of anaesthesia on the results of Doppler-derived blood flow measurements in raptors, the heart rate as well as three different sample volumes of pulsed-wave spectral Doppler-derived flow velocity (diastolic flow across the left and right atrioventricular valve, systolic flow across the aortic valve) were determined in 10 common buzzards (Buteo buteo). Measurements were taken once in conscious and once in anaesthetized birds. Anaesthesia was shown to produce significant changes in cardiac parameters recorded in the same birds whilst conscious. When comparing conscious birds with each other (with one exception for right sided ventricular inflow velocity) no correlation between the heart frequency and measured blood flow velocities was evident. This was also the case under anaesthesia. However, significant differences in these parameters were evident when comparing the results obtained before and under anaesthesia. The results suggest that the influence of anaesthesia in raptors is more than a simple reduction of heart rate and that there is also reduction in blood flow velocity.

Measurement of the cardiac silhouette in psittacines.

OBJECTIVE: To determine reference values for size of the radiographic cardiac silhouette in healthy adult medium-sized psittacines. DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: 46 African grey parrots (Psittacus erythacus), 7 Senegal parrots (Poicephalus senegalis), and 6 orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica). PROCEDURE: Birds were anesthetized, and ventrodorsal radiographic projections were obtained. Maximum width of the cardiac silhouette, width of the thorax at the level of the maximum width of the cardiac silhouette, and width of the coracoid were measured on the radiographs. Sternum length was directly measured on individual birds. Results of physical examination, electrocardiography, and echocardiography were normal in all birds. RESULTS: Mean cardiac silhouette width-to-sternum length ratio was 38%, mean cardiac silhouette width-to-thorax width ratio was 55%, and mean cardiac silhouette width-to-coracoid width ratio was 600%. Width of the cardiac silhouette was strongly correlated with length of the sternum, width of the coracoid, and width of the thorax. No significant differences between species were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that in healthy adult medium-sized psittacines, the cardiac silhouette on a ventrodorsal radiographic projection should be 35 to 41 % of the length of the sternum, 51 to 61 % of the width of the thorax, and 545 to 672% of the width of the coracoid.