Seven blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva aestiva), housed in 1 aviary, were presented within 8 hours of exposure to fire and smoke. The parrots exhibited variable degrees of dyspnea that developed between 1 and 4 hours after the exposure. Clinical signs of dyspnea resolved within hours after treatment with corticosteroids and furosemide. Because of a misunderstanding by the owner, oral prednisolone therapy was continued daily for 20 days. Within 14–20 days, 5 birds developed signs of severe dyspnea and 3 birds died or were euthanatized. Results of necropsy revealed severe mycotic airsacculitis and pneumonia due to Aspergillus fumigatus. Prolonged corticosteroid treatment in these birds may have caused immunosuppression, predisposing them to development of aspergillosis.
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1 June 2005
Aspergillosis in Amazon Parrots After Corticosteroid Therapy for Smoke-inhalation Injury
Frank A. L M. Verstappen,
Gerry M. Dorrestein
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Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery
Vol. 19 • No. 2
June 2005
Vol. 19 • No. 2
June 2005
Amazon parrots
Amazona aestiva aestiva
aspergillosis
Aspergillus fumigatus
Avian
smoke inhalation