Iron absorption was compared in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) fed diets containing high iron (1585 ppm), high iron (1720 ppm) with a phytate (inosital) and tannic acid, low iron (32–34 ppm), low iron with a meat-based dog food, or low iron with vitamin C. Iron absorption was determined by colorimetric analysis of nonheme liver iron. A dietary iron concentration of 32 ppm was inadequate to meet the physiologic demands of the starlings, even when vitamin C or a meat-based dog food was added. The high-iron diet caused an increase in concentrations of nonheme liver iron to levels similar to those in birds that have died of iron storage disease (ISD). Nonheme liver iron concentrations did not increase when a phytate (inositol) and tannic acid were added the high-iron diet. The optimal dietary iron concentration for starlings was narrowed to the range of 34–125 ppm. Adding a phytate, tannic acid, or both to readily available food stuffs may be a practical alternative to more expensive low-iron diets. Furthermore, a low-iron (32 ppm) diet may be an important adjunct to the treatment of iron storage disease in birds.

European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were fed an iron loading diet (3235 ppm) for 31 days to induce nonheme liver iron concentrations approaching those in birds that died with iron storage disease. All birds then were fed a low-iron diet (32–48 ppm) and assigned to 4 treatment groups: 1) low-iron diet only, 2) low-iron diet with phytate (inositol) and tannic acid, 3) low-iron diet and deferoxamine (100 mg/kg SC q24h), and 4) low-iron diet and phlebotomy (1% of body weight q7d). Starlings were treated for 16 weeks. In the groups treated with phlebotomy or with deferoxamine and a low-iron diet, nonheme liver iron concentrations decreased to safe levels after 16 weeks of treatment at similar rates (190 ppm/wk and 163 ppm/wk, respectively). The low-iron diet alone reduced stored liver iron levels at a slower rate (45 ppm/wk). The addition of inositol and tannic acid to the low-iron diet had no impact on stored liver iron concentrations. These results suggest that both phlebotomy and treatment with deferoxamine are effective treatment options for birds with iron storage disease.

In this study, hematologic and biochemical reference values for the critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) were evaluated to assess the effect of blood storage, processing, and collection on interpretation of these values. The medians and variances of hematologic and biochemical parameters measured from samples collected from kakapo in 1996 and 2002 were compared. Differences in the handling and processing of samples between the 2 sampling periods contributed to significant differences in the medians for packed cell volume, hemoglobin, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorous, and creatinine. The effect of separating plasma from the cellular components of the blood at either 3.5 or 36 hours after collection was studied by using paired blood samples. Increased time between collection and separation significantly affected median concentrations of glucose, calcium, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Gender had no significant effect on parameter medians or variances. The results of this study highlight the limitations of using reference values in wildlife medicine, where ideal collection and handling of samples in field studies may be compromised and prevent accurate interpretation of test results. Tables of hematologic and biochemical parameters means, standard deviations, plus minimum and maximum values obtained from this small population are provided for application in future health monitoring of the kakapo.

Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber), an endangered and popular zoo bird species, are susceptible to West Nile virus (WNV) infection, often with a fatal outcome. To determine whether vaccination of greater flamingos produced an immunologic response with measurable antibody titers and to monitor for adverse effects of vaccination on health status, a vaccine trial against WNV infection, using a killed vaccine licensed for use in horses, was performed in 1-month-old flamingo chicks. Fifteen chicks determined to be seronegative for WNV were divided into 2 groups: Group A (n = 8) received 2, 1-ml IM doses of vaccine 3 weeks apart; and Group B (n = 7) received 1, 0.5-ml IM dose, followed by 2, 1-ml IM doses, all given 3 weeks apart. A booster vaccination of 1 ml was administered to all birds 280 days after the initial vaccination series. Antibody titers were measured after the initial immunization and before and 3 weeks after the booster vaccination by plaque-reduction neutralization testing (PRNT). A positive titer at the 90% plaque-reduction cut-off was not detected after initial vaccination or booster vaccination in any of the birds studied, but serum neutralizing activity was detected in 60% of the samples after the booster at 50%–82% plaque reduction at a 1:20 dilution. No adverse effects of vaccination were observed. The lack of a demonstrable antibody response to WNV vaccination in the flamingos may be attributable to the lack of species specificity of the vaccine, poorly developed immune system in 1-month-old flamingo chicks, poor sample handling or storage, or inadequate vaccine dose volume or frequency of administration.

Cutaneous, tumor-like nodules were observed on the digits and distal wings in 6 of 52 laughing doves (Streptopelia senegalensis) kept in an aviary. The nodules were surgically removed, and the birds were treated postoperatively with tetracycline. Histopathologic examination of the resected tissue revealed eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies associated with a heavy infiltration of heterophils, lymphocytes, and fewer plasma cells. Electron microscopy revealed pox virions. No additional cases were reported after the birds were surgically treated and quarantined from the remainder of the aviary. The location of lesions on the digits and distal wing tips is unusual for poxvirus. To our knowledge, infection with poxvirus has not previously been diagnosed or reported in wild birds in the Sultanate of Oman.

A 9-month-old, male budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) was presented with an acute onset of weakness and vomiting. The bird had recently ingested leaves of freshly harvested crown vetch (Coronilla varia) from a fresh cutting of the plant placed next to the bird's cage. During the following 10 hours, the bird exhibited tachypnea and showed progressive neurologic signs of weakness, incoordination, tremors, and depression. The bird was treated with supportive care and activated charcoal. Its condition stabilized in the following 8 hours, with improvement within 48 hours and complete recovery in 2 weeks. Crown vetch grows in disturbed soils, tolerates dry conditions, and is often planted to prevent soil erosion. The toxic constituent of crown vetch is the nitrotoxin, β-nitropropionic acid, a potent neurotoxin.

A yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata) was presented with a 1-year history of feather-destructive behavior with an incidental 14-year history of ptyalism. Palpation, radiographs, fluoroscopy, and biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of multiple sialoceles and sialoliths throughout the cervical region. Treatment for ptyalism was not necessary in this parrot; however, treatment in other species generally involves surgical resection or medical treatment with anticholinergics or botulinum toxin A injections. Clinical signs associated with both the presence of sialoceles and feather-destructive behavior improved briefly with changes in husbandry and medical treatment including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. There have been few reports of this lesion in avian species, except for occasional reports in pigeons where the underlying cause is thought to be either hypovitaminosis A or herpesviral infection. This parrot was on a nutritionally adequate diet and had a negative antibody titer for Pacheco's disease, and no underlying cause was identified.

An outbreak of adenoviral disease occurred in 2 separate raptor collections in the United Kingdom during August and September of 2004, involving a Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), a Bengal eagle owl (Bubo bengalensis), and a Verreaux's eagle owl (Bubo lacteus). The cases were diagnosed by results of necropsy, histologic examination, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Although virus isolation and electron microscopy were unsuccessful in identifying adenovirus as the causative agent, PCR testing with consensus primers resulted in amplicons of specific size. DNA sequencing of the PCR products identified the detected virus as a new member of the genus Siadenovirus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of adenovirus infection in these avian species, and we propose that this virus be called “raptor adenovirus.”

Squamous cell carcinoma of the infraorbital sinus was diagnosed in a 5-year-old Solomon Island eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus solomonensis) that presented with exophthalmos of the right globe and an ulcerative mass of 2-months duration at the right commissure of the beak. The mass was 2.5 × 2 × 2 cm and contained caseous exudate. The ulcerative lesion was surgically debulked, but the bird died and was submitted for necropsy. Histopathologic examination of the infraorbital sinus revealed squamous cell carcinoma with no evidence of metastasis. The trachea was heavily infiltrated with thick, septate fungal hyphae, and evidence of fungal angioinvasion was observed in the trachea and muscular layer of the crop.