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At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

[Ascaridia platyceri n.sp., a new species of nematode from parrots].

A new species of bird parasitic nematode, Ascaridia platyceri n. sp., is described from the small intestine of Platycerus eximius and 8 further species of Psittacidae maintained in Zoological Gardens and private holdings in the GDR. The new species differs from the 3 species of Ascaridia hitherto known from parrots mainly in the shape of the anterior border of the lips as well as in the number and position of the caudal papillae in the male.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cryptosporidia in the cloacal coprodeum of red-lored parrots (Amazona autumnalis).

Cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed in the cloacal coprodeum of two red-lored parrots (Amazona autumnalis). The parasites were adhered to the microvillus border of epithelial cells and their presence was associated with loss and atrophy of microvilli. Merozoites, trophozoites, gametes, and oocytes were identified with light and transmission electron microscopy. The coprodeal epithelium was hyperplastic and the lamina propria was infiltrated with moderate numbers of heterophils and lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Avian pox in blue-fronted Amazon parrots.

During a 1-month period at a quarantine station, an epornitic of avian pox occurred in blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva). Clinical signs included conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and varying degrees of anorexia and respiratory distress. Lesions included periocular ulcerations and scabs and necrotic plaques in the oral cavity. Histologically, the lesions consisted of epithelial hyperplasia, secondary inflammatory changes, and eosinophilic inclusions which, by electron microscopy, were shown to contain poxvirus. When chicken embryos were inoculated with material from eyelid scabs and pharyngeal plaques, lesions of avian pox developed on the chorioallantoic membrane. The death rate of infected birds was high because of secondary bacterial and fungal infections, but uncomplicated cases were usually self-limiting. Periocular lesions also developed in 2 other species of psittacine birds housed in the same facility.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Alimentary foreign body in an Amazon parrot.

An Amazon Parrot regurgitated and drooled and had blood in its droppings. Abdominal palpation revealed several small, spherical masses. Positive-contrast radiographs clearly delineated the objects. With the bird under halothane anesthesia and the beak held open, a sponge forceps was used to extract a string of 25 beads from the alimentary tract. Gentamicin and dexamethasone were given IM and recovery was uneventful.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Basal cell carcinoma in a blue-fronted amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva).

Tumors of the integumentary system are relatively common in companion birds. Dermal tumors in pet birds can be epithelial, mesenchymal, or vascular in origin. Basal cell carcinomas appear to be extremely rare in birds. An adult female blue-fronted Amazon parrot was examined because it exhibited bilateral cervical masses that extended from the base of the skull to the ingluvial region. The tumors were removed by surgical excision. Microscopic examination of the masses revealed neoplastic epithelial cells that extended to all borders of the sections; scattered vessels with neoplastic cells within their lumens were also found. The histopathologic diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma. Six weeks postoperatively, the masses recurred and the bird was euthanatized. This report suggests that basal cell carcinomas should be considered as a differential for avian dermal tumors. This neoplastic condition can be aggressive and has the potential to metastasize.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Examination of the lower respiratory tract of Psittacinae and Amazoninae species by means of reconstructive transmission computed tomography. 2: Examination of parrots with respiratory symptoms].

To date, the lack of clinical signs, the misjudgement of possible signs and the limits of available, diagnostic tools in non-domesticated birds have made the diagnosis of respiratory disease in tropic psittacines very difficult. In accordance to this, the examinations performed prove that many diseased psittacines are diagnostically misjudged. The disease was either not noticed at all, or was only noticed in advanced stages when therapy was without success. With the use of a non-invasive diagnostic tool--computed tomography--pathological alterations in diseased gray parrots and amazons were able to be assessed based on anatomical data gained in the previous investigations on healthy birds (see part 1). In a next step results gained by CT examinations were compared to those obtained by conventional radiography. In contrast to the conventional radiography, the CT was able to demonstrate less evident alterations in earlier stages of development, thus solving problems of diagnosis which are specific for avian medicine. Especially in endangered animals, the use of such a diagnostic technique in combination with other conventional methods should be highly considered. A quick and early recognition of disease, paving the way for a successful therapy, is the fundamental prerequisite for the preservation and breeding of endangered species, making it an important, veterinary contribution to animal conservation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Social constraints on the onset of incubation in a neotropical parrot: a nestbox addition experiment

We examined whether the early onset of incubation serves to protect eggs from the dangers imposed by conspecifics in the green-rumped parrotlet, Forpus passerinus, a small neotropical parrot that lays a large clutch and begins incubation on the first egg. Nestboxes with eggs were installed and their fate was followed for 72 h to determine whether egg destruction and nest site take-overs occurred as predicted by the Egg Protection and Limited Breeding Opportunities Hypotheses, or whether additional eggs appeared in the boxes as predicted by the Brood Parasitism Hypothesis. Eggs were destroyed at 40.6% of 69 experimental boxes but at only 4.5% of control nests occupied by laying pairs. No eggs were laid in the experimental boxes. Egg destruction at experimental nests occurred during daylight hours and all mortality was caused by green-rumped parrotlets. Over 75% of the nests were destroyed by male-female pairs prospecting for nest sites, and the remainder were destroyed by male-male pairs. Lone males never destroyed eggs, although they frequently visited experimental boxes. Two of three failures at control nests were the result of nocturnal predators, and the other nest was apparently destroyed by parrotlets. There was no significant difference between experimental and control boxes in the frequency of visitations by lone males, male-female pairs and male-male pairs. Although experimental boxes that parrotlets visited were discovered quickly after placement, parrotlets were usually slow to enter them (X=5.8 h after discovery, range 0.3-23.5 h). Control nests were rarely left unattended: females spent nearly 75% of their time in the box, and pairs were typically absent for short intervals (median=7.5 min). Control females responded to intruding parrotlets by remaining in the box 94% of the time when alone, whereas males actively displaced and chased intruding parrotlets 66% of the time. Parrotlets that visited control nests approached the box significantly less often than those visiting experimental boxes. To ensure the survival of eggs, parrotlet parents must begin incubating eggs or guarding nests soon after laying to minimize destruction of clutches, loss of nest sites, a decline in the viability of their eggs and the time that all nestlings are exposed to predators. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Microsporidiosis in a flock of tricolor parrot finches (Erythrura tricolor).

The lesions caused by a microsporidian infection in a flock of tricolor parrot finches (Erythrura tricolor) are described. Affected birds had a widespread nodular to diffuse granulomatous inflammation of the serosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract, peritoneum, perirenal airsacs and connective tissue, bone marrow, dura, and conjunctiva. This was composed predominantly of foamy macrophages containing numerous intracytoplasmic microsporidia measuring 1 to 2 microm. Ultrastructural features consistent with microsporidia were the presence of a coiled polar filament and an electrode-dense outer surface and thick electron-lucent capsule. Differential diagnoses included infection with intracellular organisms, including coccidian and other apicomplexan parasites, such as lsospora, Eimeria, and blood parasites; Chlamydophilosis; disseminated mycobacteriosis; and other bacterial and fungal species.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Neonatal handling of Amazon parrots alters the stress response and immune function.

The influence of neonatal handling on behavior and immune function was assessed in Orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica). Chicks (n=11) were gently handled daily from 25 days of age until 38 days post-fledging, while control chicks (n=9) were not handled. At 10 days post-fledging ( approximately 66 days of age), chicks were given tests to evaluate tameness (e.g., willingness to perch on an offered finger). They were then restrained for 10 min, either by being held while perching (handled group) or, because they would not perch, by being restrained in a towel (nonhandled group). Serum corticosterone levels were measured and immune status was assessed by: the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to phytohemagglutinin-P (PH-P) injection; the humoral response to a killed Newcastle disease virus (NDV) challenge; and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio (H:L). Handled chicks were tamer by all measures of tameness. DTH was greater in nonhandled chicks (P</=0.002), as were serum corticosterone levels (Wilcoxon, P</=0.05), while NDV antibody titers were possibly reduced (P</=0.09). H:L ratios did not differ. We conclude that handling conditioned the birds to be held in a manner that appeared not to be stressful. The greater DTH response of nonhandled chicks suggests that either their DTH response was enhanced by the acute stress of being restrained in a towel, and/or the DTH response of handled chicks was suppressed as a result of the repeated physiologic stress from handling during the neonatal period. In either event, handling produced marked differences in response to types of restraint that would be typically encountered in the husbandry of Amazons in captivity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Changes in exploration from courtship to the breeding state in red-rumped parrots (Psephotus haematonotus).

Animals explore their environment to gather information about feeding areas, resting places, or suitable territories for reproduction. During the annual cycle seasonal variation in exploration occurs at least in some species. In this study, exploratory behaviour of red-rumped parrots (Psephotus haematonotus) was investigated during part of the reproductive period including courtship and incubation. On 2 test days 14 pairs in either the courtship or the breeding state were confronted with three unknown objects in their familiar aviary for 6 h on each of 2 days. Test days were separated by a 2-day pause. Exploration by the males did not change from courtship to breeding, whereas in females latency to first contact increased, and duration of exploration and the number of objects touched decreased from courtship to breeding state. Considering the pair as a unit, the total duration of exploration was shorter in breeding pairs than in pairs during courtship. Changes in exploration from the first to the second day of object exposure occurred in both sexes. Males explored longer on the second day, females contacted the objects significantly later on the second day but showed no significant changes in duration of exploration. The changes in exploration might be due to changed cost/benefit considerations during courtship and breeding.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Neoechinorhynchus qatarensis sp. n. (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from the blue-barred flame parrot fish, Scarus ghobban Forsskål, 1775, in Qatari waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Neoechinorhynchus qatarensis sp. n. (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) is described from the marine blue-barred flame parrot fish Scarus ghobban Forsskål, 1775 in the Arabian Gulf waters off the coast of Qatar. The new species is distinguished from all other species of the genus Neoechinorhynchus by its unique reproductive system and a glandular structure associated with the proboscis receptacle in both males and females. Other uncommon features of N. qatarensis are also discussed.

Acanthocephala↗
PubMed1998

Parakeets, canaries, finches, parrots and lung cancer: no association.

The relationship between pet bird keeping and lung cancer according to exposure to tobacco smoking was investigated in a case-control study in hospitals of New York City and Washington, DC, USA. Newly diagnosed lung cancer cases (n = 887) aged 40-79 years were compared with 1350 controls with diseases not related to smoking, of the same age, gender and date of admission as the cases. The prevalence of pet bird keeping was 12.5% in men and 19.1% in women. There was no association between ever keeping a pet bird and lung cancer in never smokers (men adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15-3.17; women, 1.32, 95% CI 0.65-2.70), or in smokers and non-smokers combined, after adjustment for ever smoking (men: 1.28, 95% CI 0.88-1.86; women: 1.17, 95% CI 0.83-1.64; all: 1.21, 95% CI 0.95-1.56). Risk did not increase in relation to duration of pet bird keeping. Cases and controls kept similar types of birds. There was a tenfold increase of lung cancer risk associated with smoking among non-bird keepers (adjusted OR = 9.15). There was no indication of a synergism, either additive or multiplicative, between smoking and pet bird keeping with respect to lung cancer risk. Either alone or in conjunction with smoking, keeping parakeets, canaries, finches or parrots is not a risk factor for lung cancer among hospital patients in New York and in Washington, DC.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

An outbreak of Pacheco's parrot disease in psittacine birds recently imported to Campania, Italy: isolation of psittacid herpesvirus 2.

The authors describe an outbreak of Pacheco's Parrot Disease (PPD) which occurred in Italy in recently imported psittacine birds and was caused by Psittacid Herpesvirus type 2 (PsiHV2). The authors stress the different susceptibility to the disease in the species involved. This outbreak showed the failure of the vaccine prophylaxis that had been administered to the birds with ordinary commercial preparations containing Psittacid Herpesvirus type 1. The authors emphasize the necessity of producing a vaccine containing inactivated viruses of all known serotypes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radiography and image-intensified fluoroscopy of barium passage through the gastrointestinal tract in six healthy Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva).

Gastrointestinal contrast studies were performed in six clinically healthy blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) using radiography and image-intensified fluoroscopy. During examination, the birds were confined in a perspex cage. The quality of the lateral radiographs was adequate for assessment of the contrast medium-filled gastrointestinal tract. Thirty minutes after administration of 20 mL/kg of a 25% barium sulphate suspension directly in the crop, in all birds the ventriculus was totally outlined by barium. After 60 min, the small intestine was filled in five of six birds. After 180 min, the crop was empty in all birds. The barium-outlined ventriculus had differences in shape on radiographs of individual birds and also between birds. The colon and cloaca had further filling after 120 to 300 min. With image-intensified fluoroscopy, gastrointestinal motility was evaluated. Contractions of the crop were seen, and boluses of contrast medium passing through the esophagus toward the proventriculus were easily identified. Proventricular contractions were rarely noted, but ventriculus motility was present and clearly defined. The ventriculus had a mean of 3.7 contraction cycles/min. In the duodenum and small intestine, rapid antegrade and retrograde peristaltic movements in combination with segmental contractions were seen. In the colon, occasionally very slow peristaltic activity, mainly of segmental nature, was present. During the examinations, no defeacation was recorded. Confinement in a small perspex cage provides an adequate and handy radiological set-up for evaluation of gastrointestinal passage and motility in birds, minimizing the influences of stress and anesthesia.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Avian influenza A virus subtype H5N2 in a red-lored Amazon parrot.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 3-month-old red-lored Amazon parrot (Amazona autumnalis autumnalis) was evaluated for severe lethargy. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Avian influenza virus hemagglutinin subtype H5N2 with low pathogenicity was characterized by virus isolation, real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assay, chicken intravenous pathogenicity index, and reference sera. The virus was also determined to be closely related to a virus lineage that had been reported only in Mexico and Central America. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The chick was admitted to the hospital and placed in quarantine. Supportive care treatment was administered. Although detection of H5 avian influenza virus in birds in the United States typically results in euthanasia of infected birds, an alternative strategy with strict quarantine measures and repeated diagnostic testing was used. The chick recovered from the initial clinical signs after 4 days and was released from quarantine 9 weeks after initial evaluation after 2 consecutive negative virus isolation and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assay results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of H5N2 avian influenza A virus isolated from a psittacine bird and represents the first introduction of this virus into the United States, most likely by illegal importation of psittacine birds. Avian influenza A virus should be considered as a differential diagnosis for clinical signs of gastrointestinal tract disease in psittacine birds, especially in birds with an unknown history of origin. Although infection with avian influenza virus subtype H5 is reportable, destruction of birds is not always required.

Amazona↗