avian med 4 mod 6

Avian Anatomy and Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)

• The synsacrum region of the avian spine is the most susceptible to damage.
• Parrots typically have 4-6 complete ribs in their thoracic vertebrae.
• The pelvis, ischium, and ilium are fused parts of the avian pelvic girdle.
• Most birds have 4 digits, with the 2nd digit having the most phalanges (3-4).
• The avian heart should be seen lying on the right side of the thoracic cavity on the Ventrodorsal (VD) view.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)

• A common sign of the acute form of PBFD is the presence of feather abnormalities.
• The proposed incubation period for PBFD is 1-24 months.
• The circovirus, which causes PBFD, can remain viable in the environment for up to 12 months.
• The best prevention for PBFD is hygiene and sanitation.

Neuropathic Gastric Dilatation (NGD) in Birds

• The proposed incubation period for NGD is 1-6 months.
• Exposed birds should be kept isolated in single-bird households for at least 6 months.
• The best prevention for NGD is hygiene and sanitation.
• The absence of signs of gastrointestinal disease is NOT a clinical sign of NGD.
• The most recent suggestion for the name of NGD is Macaw Fatty Acid Syndrome (MFAS).
• Cockatiels are NOT susceptible to NGD.
• The average age of birds affected by NGD is 5-7 years.
• The cause of NGD is unknown, but it is believed to be related to a viral or toxic insult.
• Contrast radiography or fluoroscopy can be used to visualize proventricular dilatation in birds with NGD.
• The Ventrodorsal (VD) view is best for assessing the size and shape of the heart-liver silhouette in psittacines.
• An enlarged coelomic silhouette on the VD view indicates proventricular dilatation in psittacines.
• Dilation of the proventriculus indicates NGD in psittacines.
• The normal depth of the proventriculus in a parrot on the lateral view is 1-2 mm.
• The spleen is typically visible on the lateral view in the area of the 2nd-3rd ribs in psittacines.
• A loss of the hour-glass shape on the VD view indicates proventricular dilatation in psittacines.
• A common cause of dilation of the proventriculus is NGD.
• The criteria for diagnosing dilation of the proventriculus are a diameter of >2 mm on the lateral view.
• The liver biopsy site is contraindicated for diagnosing NGD.
• The prevalence of lympho-plasmatic infiltration in the brain of affected birds is 80%.
• The recommended duration of therapy with NSAID for treating proventriculus dilation is 2-4 weeks.
• The recommended biopsy site for diagnosing NGD is the proventriculus or ventriculus.