Measuring the Level of Agreement Between Cloacal Gram's Stains and Bacterial Cultures in Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots ( Amazona ventralis ).

Cloacal or fecal Gram's stains and bacterial cultures are routinely performed during avian physical examinations to assess the microbial flora of the gastrointestinal tract. Although cloacal or fecal Gram's stains and bacterial cultures are considered routine diagnostic procedures, the level of agreement between the individual tests has not been determined. To investigate the level of agreement between results from Gram's stain and bacterial culture when used to assess cloacal or fecal samples from psittacine birds, samples were taken from 21 clinically healthy Hispaniolan Amazon parrots ( Amazona ventralis ) and tested by Gram's stain cytology and bacterial culture. Most bacteria (97.2%) identified by Gram's stain were gram positive. However, gram-negative organisms were identified in 7 of 21 (33.3%; 95% confidence interval: 13.3%-53.3%) birds. Escherichia coli was the only gram-negative organism identified on culture. Agreement between results of Gram's stain and culture was fair (weighted κ = 0.27). The results of this study suggest that Gram's stains and bacterial culture may need to be performed with a parallel testing strategy to limit the likelihood of misclassifying the microbial flora of psittacine patients.

Pharmacokinetics of terbinafine after oral administration of a single dose to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis).

OBJECTIVE: To determine pharmacokinetics after oral administration of a single dose of terbinafine hydrochloride to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. PROCEDURES: A single dose of terbinafine hydrochloride (60 mg/kg) was administered orally to each bird, which was followed immediately by administration of a commercially available gavage feeding formula. Blood samples were collected at the time of drug administration (time 0) and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after drug administration. Plasma concentrations of terbinafine were determined via high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Data from 1 bird were discarded because of a possible error in the dose of drug administered. After oral administration of terbinafine, the maximum concentration for the remaining 5 fed birds ranged from 109 to 671 ng/mL, half-life ranged from 6 to 13.5 hours, and time to the maximum concentration ranged from 2 to 8 hours. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis of the results indicated that oral administration of terbinafine at a dose of 60 mg/kg to Amazon parrots did not result in adverse effects and may be potentially of use in the treatment of aspergillosis. Additional studies are needed to determine treatment efficacy and safety.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos).

A 3-year-old male, hybrid mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) was presented with a 2-year history of progressive, ascending paresis and paralysis. On presentation, the bird was in sternal recumbency and displayed intermittent focal seizures and intention tremors. Proprioceptive deficits and absent withdrawal reflexes were observed in both pelvic limbs, wing extension was limited, and reflexes were diminished bilaterally. Other findings included emaciation and dehydration. Results of a complete blood count and plasma biochemical analysis revealed anemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoglycemia, and hyperuricemia. Radiographs were unremarkable and results of an Aspergillus antibody were weakly positive. The duck went into cardiopulmonary arrest and died approximately 1 hour after initiating treatment with intravenous crystalloid fluids. A postmortem diagnosis of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) was made based on the presence of neuronal granular cytoplasmic material that was autofluorescent and stained with periodic acid-Schiff and Luxol fast blue. To our knowledge, this is only the second case report of NCL in an avian species and the first in waterfowl.

Zoonotic diseases of common pet birds: psittacine, passerine, and columbiform species.

Zoonotic transmission of disease from pet birds is uncommon, but there are some recognized dangers. Most notably, Chlamydophila psittaci can be transmitted from pet birds to humans. Allergic responses to pet birds, including pneumonitis and contact dermatitis, have also been documented. Bite wounds from pet birds are rarely reported but can cause trauma and develop infection. The other diseases discussed here are considered potential zoonotic diseases of pet birds because of either isolated reports of suspected but unconfirmed transmission to humans or from reports of wild conspecifics being reported to have the disease.

Infusion of a lipid emulsion to treat lidocaine intoxication in a cat.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was examined because of presumptive lidocaine intoxication. Thirty minutes earlier, the cat had received an SC injection of approximately 140 mg of lidocaine hydrochloride (20 mg/kg [9.1 mg/lb]) to facilitate closure of a wound on the left pelvic limb. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Initial physical examination revealed severe lethargy and respiratory distress; erratic, poor-quality pulses with severe hypotension; and pulmonary edema. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Initial supportive treatment included administration of oxygen and IV administration of lactated Ringer's solution. Additional treatment with a 20% lipid emulsion (1.5 mL/kg [0.68 mL/lb], IV) delivered over a 30-minute period resulted in dramatic improvement in cardiovascular and behavioral variables. No adverse effects from lipid emulsion were detected on routine hematologic evaluation, thoracic radiography, or computed tomography. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IV administration of a lipid emulsion was used in the treatment of lidocaine intoxication in a cat. Rapid infusion of a lipid emulsion may be a therapeutic option for veterinary patients with toxicosis attributable to local anesthetics or other lipid-soluble drugs.

Advanced diagnostic approaches and current management of internal disorders of select species (rodents, sugar gliders, hedgehogs).

African pygmy and European hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and rodents such as rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, and chinchillas are becoming increasingly popular as pets in the United States, and more practitioners are being asked to examine, diagnose, and treat these animals for a bevy of disorders and diseases. Many procedures and techniques used in traditional small and large animal medicine are used for these species, with minor adaptations or considerations. This article examines available diagnostic tools and treatment methodologies for use in hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and selected rodents.

Assessment of the microbial quality of water offered to captive psittacine birds.

To investigate potential water-source microbes, 44 samples of water offered to individually caged psittacine birds were aseptically collected from 14 bird-owning households and evaluated for the presence of coliforms, Escherichia coli, heterotrophic bacteria, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. No samples were positive for E. coli; however, 21 of 25 water samples (84%) from open containers and 7 of 19 samples (37%) from bottles exceeded US Environmental Protection Agency standards for coliforms. Fourteen of 24 open containers (58%) and 7 of 19 bottles (37%) grew heterotrophic bacteria that exceeded 500 colonies/ml. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from water samples from 1 open container and 1 bottle. These results suggest that potentially pathogenic bacteria can be found in water offered to companion psittacine birds. Additional studies are needed to assess whether these bacteria are clinically important causes of disease and to develop husbandry methods that will reduce contamination.

Administration of doxycycline in drinking water for treatment of spiral bacterial infection in cockatiels.

OBJECTIVE: To determine efficacy of providing drinking water medicated with doxycycline for treatment of spiral bacterial infection in cockatiels. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Animals-18 cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) naturally infected with spiral bacteria. PROCEDURES: Spiral bacterial infection was diagnosed by means of cytologic examination of swab specimens from the choana and oropharynx. Eleven birds (treatment group) were given drinking water to which doxycycline hyclate had been added at a concentration of 400 mg/L for 30 days; the remaining 7 birds (control group) were given unmedicated water. After completion of the study, 6 control birds were treated with drinking water medicated with doxycycline for 21 days. RESULTS: Daily mean plasma doxycycline concentration for birds in the treatment group ranged from 2.26 to 2.86 Mg/mL (overall range, 0.83 to 4.34 Mg/mL). All treated birds were negative for spiral bacteria after treatment for 21 days and remained negative when examined 160 days after treatment ended. Control birds remained positive for spiral bacteria. Control birds treated with doxycycline after completion of the study were negative for spiral bacteria after treatment for 21 days and 30 days after treatment ended. No clinically important adverse effects were associated with treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that providing drinking water to which doxycycline had been added at a concentration of 400 mg/L was effective in eliminating spiral bacterial infections in cockatiels.