457

Intas Polivet (2015) Vol. 16 (II): 457-458 Short Communication

HistoryA Blue gold macaw was presented for incompletecrop emptying and decreased stool production. Ithad a history of regurgitation and inadequate cropemptying two years ago and was successfullytreated with a combination of Metronidazole, anti-inflammatories, immunity enhancers and fluidtherapy and had recovered. It had a history ofbeing housed with birds of other species in anoutdoor aviary and was primarily a pelleted diet,fresh fruits and vegetables. However fresh fruitsand vegetables continued twice a day.

Clinical Examinations and TreatmentThe bird was presented with an over distendedcrop and on palpation was doughy. Although hisweight was 850 gms, the sternal muscles hadwasted. To avoid the risk of aspiration pneumoniaduring a crop wash, it was decided to medicallymanage the condition for two days withconservative medication and aggressive fluidtherapy (Ringer Lactate-20 ml and Normal Saline30 ml). The bird was dehydrated, 2 on the scaleof 1-4 where 4 is severely dehydrated. Sincegastric stasis in macaws is noted frequently andresponds to anti-inflammatories, Melonexa

(Meloxicam) was administered at 0.5 mg/kg oncea day. Metoclopramide was also administered at

Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of a Blue-Gold MacawSuspected for Borna Virus InfectionShiwani Tandel1, Nameeta Nadkarni2 and Neha Shah3

Phoenix Veterinary Specialty3, Prithvi EmperorNew Prabhadevi RoadMumbai - 400025 (Maharashtra)

AbstractProventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is an upcoming exotic diseases common in the west but is not well understoodin Indian sub-continent. There are very few cases that are being effectively diagnosed due to limited knowledge ofthe etiological agent. The case study throws light on the upcoming disease. Careful veterinary checks will ensurethat these exotic birds do not carry this potentially deadly virus preventing its affecting to our native populations.

Keywords: Avian; borna virus; macaw wasting disease; proventricular dilatation disease

0.5 mg/kg as an injection for 5 days orally. Birdresponded for 3 days and then symptomsrelapsed.

Choanal swab revealed gram negativepleomorphic rods, Enrofloxacin @15mg/kg bidwas added to the treatment. The bird was nonresponsive to treatment. Since the bird waspassing stools and not vomiting obstruction wasruled out. However, one of the top differentialswith the following symptoms among macaws isproventricular dilatation disease (PDD). Onradiographs, there seemed to be an opaque,unindentified density at level of distal esophagusand the proventriculus looked enlarged (Fig. 1).Crop stasis was still present and therefore anexploratory endoscopy was conducted. To provideunobstructed access for probe, injectibleanesthesia was preferred. The bird was sedatedusing Midazolam and Butorphanol at 1mg/kgeach as induction. Intra-osseus access wasgained through the distal end of left ulna with a20G needle. The dose of Ketamine for a bird with800 gms body weight was calculated at 25-50mg/kg and administered to effect. Use of 2.7mmtelescope, 14.5-Fr operating sheath, 5- Frinstruments, light guide cable, camera, monitorand digital recording system (Karl Storzendoscopy, Goleta, CA, USA) was used forexploratory endoscopy.

Since there was no obstruction noted inoesophagus and endoscope was too short toreach ventriculus, an ingluviotomy approach was

1. Corresponding author.E-mail: pvetspeciality@gmail.com

2. Post Graduate Scholar3. Happy Tails Veterinary Speciality, Mumbaia - Brand of Intas Animal Health, Ahmedabad

458

Fig. 2: Endoscopy being performed tocheck for foreign body.

Fig. 1: Enlargement of proventriculus (marked byyellow border).

utilized to advance the scope for bettervisualization. The proventriculus showed streaksof fibrin synonymous with PDD. On furtheradvancement there was no foreign body into theventriculus. Since the stools sample showed noincidence of frank blood and no gas pockets onradiographs, foreign body descending intointestines was ruled out. Both proventricilus andventriculus were thoroughly washed and rinsedwith Normal saline. The bird recovereduneventfully from anesthesia and post-operativetreatments were carried out (maintained on RLand NS, Enrofloxacin - 15mg/kg, Metoclopramide-0.5mg/kg bid, Digeneb -0.5 ml tid, Sucralfate- 0.5ml bid and Celecoxib - 20 mg/kg oid). Reports oftreating this infection using Celecoxib presentedthe first real hope for treating PDD affected birds.(Dalhausen et al., 2002). Harrisons recoveryformula for birds was started after 6 hours ofsurgery along with probiotics. The bird alsopassed a normal stool in large volumes the nextday. After 48 hours the crop swelling returned andbird was started on Amantadine. Since the proteinlevel was very low raw, egg white wasadministered in small quantities. However thebird succumbed in 6 days after surgery.

DiscussionProventricular dilatation diseases (PDD) is alsotermed as Macaw wasting syndrome was firstrecognized in the late 1970’s in macaws importedinto United States and Germany (Bouette andTaylor, 2004). It is caused by Avian Borna virus.PDD can be hard to diagnose, can take many

forms and may have a very long incubation period(Clubb, 2006). Crop biopsy is the only effectivediagnostic tool but has a high false negative rate.This disease causes progressive destruction ofnerves supplying gastro-intestinal tract(proventriculus, vetricilus and portions of smallintestine) and central and peripheral nervoussystem. This results in inability empty to theirdigestive tract leading to crop stasis, weight loss,proventricular, ventricular or intestinalmaldigestion and causing secondary infections(Bouette and Taylor, 2004). A suspicious cropbiopsy shows lymphoplasmacytic inflammationsurrounding the ganglia but not within the ganglia.Treatment includes management of symptomsby administering supportive care and easilydigestible food with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents like Meloxicam andCelecoxib. (Clubb 2006).

ReferencesBouette, J.B. and Taylor, M. (2004). Proventricular DilationDisease: A Review of Research, Literature, SpeciesDifferences, Diagnostics, Prognosis, and Treatment. ProcAnnu Conf Assoc Avian Vet. p.175-81.

Clubb, S. (2006). Clinical management of psittacine birdsaffected with proventricular dilatation disease. ProcAnnu Conf Assoc Avian Vet. p. 85-90.

Carpenter, J.W. (2005). Exotic Animal Formulary. 3rd ed.St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, Saunders.

Dalhausen, B., Aldred, S. and Colaizzi, E. (2002).Resolution of clinical proventricular diatation diseaseby cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition. Proc Annual Conf AssocAvian Vet. p.9-12.

b - Brand of Abbott India Limited, Mumbai

Borna virus infection