Seventeen adult captive American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) (34 eyes) underwent a complete ocular examination, including assessment of menace response, pupillary light reflexes, dazzle reflex, palpebral and corneal reflexes, fluorescein staining, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and direct ophthalmoscopy. Birds were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups for tear production and intraocular pressure measurements. Tear production was measured by modified Schirmer tear test I (n = 9 birds) or phenol red thread test (n = 8 birds), and intraocular pressure was measured indirectly by applanation (Tonopen-XL) (n = 9 birds) or rebound (TonoVet) (n = 8 birds) tonometry. Conjunctival swab samples were taken from one randomly selected eye of all 17 birds to identify surface ocular microbial flora via aerobic bacterial culture. Additionally, 3 of the 17 birds were anesthetized for bilateral B-mode ocular ultrasonography examination to obtain axial globe measurements. Results showed that the menace response and dazzle reflex were absent in all birds. Sixteen of the 17 birds were free of significant ocular disease; a small cataract and pigment on the anterior lens capsule were noted in one eye of one bird. Mean ± SD tear production was 12.3 ± 4.5 mm/min (range, 4–20 mm/min) for modified Schirmer tear test I and 24.2 ± 4.4 mm/15 s (range, 14–30 mm/15 s) for phenol red thread test. Modified Schirmer tear test I measurements were significantly lower than phenol red thread measurements (P < .001). Mean intraocular pressure was 16.1 ± 4.2 mm Hg (range, 7–22 mm Hg) for Tonopen and 9.5 ± 1.7 mm Hg (range, 7–13 mm Hg) for TonoVet. Tonopen measurements were significantly higher than TonoVet measurements (P < .001). An Enterococcus species (9/17 eyes; 53%) and a gram-positive coccus (7/17 eyes; 41%) were the bacteria most commonly isolated from conjunctival swab samples. Mean B-mode ultrasonographic globe measurements of 6 eyes (3 birds) were axial globe length, 13.8 ± 0.16 mm; anterior chamber depth, 1.75 ± 0.05 mm; lens thickness, 4.6 ± 0.06 mm; vitreous body depth, 6.95 ± 0.10 mm; and pecten dimensions, 5.1 ± 0.38 mm length, 2.2 ± 0.14 mm width. In summary, the prevalence of ocular lesions was low in this population of captive American flamingos. Results obtained from 2 types of tear and intraocular pressure measurement tests were significantly different, indicating that a single type of each diagnostic test should be consistently used. A modification of the standard Schirmer tear test or use of phenol red thread test is recommended due to the small flamingo eye.

Fracture and bone segment loss are major clinical problems in birds. Achieving bone formation and clinical union in a fracture case is important for the survival of the bird. To evaluate the efficacy of bone grafts for defect healing in birds, 2 different bone grafts were investigated in the healing of a bone defect in 24 healthy pigeons (Columba livia). In each bird, a 1-cm critical size defect (CSD) was created in the left ulna, and the fracture was stabilized with external skeletal fixation (ESF). A graft of hydroxyapatite (HA) alone (n = 12 birds) or demineralized bone matrix (DBM) combined with HA (n = 12 birds) was implanted in the CSD. The CSD healing was evaluated at 3 endpoints: 3, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery. Four birds were euthanatized at each endpoint from each treatment group, and bone graft healing in the ulna CSD was evaluated by histologic examination. The CSD and graft implants were evaluated for quality of union, cortex development, and bone graft incorporation. Results showed no graft rejection in any bird, and all birds had connective tissue formation in the defect because of the bone graft application. These results suggest that bone defect healing can be achieved by a combination of osteoinductive and osteoconductive bone graft materials for clinical union and new bone regeneration in birds. The combination of DBM and HA resulted in a better quality bone graft (P < .05) than did HA alone, but there was no significant differences in cortex development or bone graft incorporation at 3, 6, or 12 weeks. From the results of this study, we conclude that HA bone grafts, alone or in combination with DBM, with external skeletal fixation is suitable and safe for bone defect and fracture treatment in pigeons.

To determine the effects of diet transition in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), 14 cockatiels were transitioned over a 12-day period from a seed diet to one of 2 commercial diets advertised as nutritionally complete. Before the transition, cockatiels were fed a seed-based diet for 30 days. The transition strategy consisted of gradually increasing the ratio of complete diet : seed-based diet over the 12-day period. True amino acid digestibility determined on each complete diet (diets A and B) demonstrated that both diets contained highly digestible amino acids. Diets differed in ingredient composition and particle size, analyzed nutrients, and method of processing (baked or extruded). Daily feed intake of seed-based and complete diets was measured. Periodically throughout and after transition, body weights were measured, and blood samples were collected for hematologic testing and plasma biochemical analysis. All cockatiels accepted the transition strategy irrespective of complete diet. Cockatiels transitioned to diet A consumed significantly more of the complete diet and less of the seed-based diet during periods of measurement throughout transition. Total feed intake was significantly greater for cockatiels fed diet B for 33% of the measurement periods (P < .05). Body weight was generally not affected during or after transition (P > .05). Hematologic and plasma biochemical values did not differ between cockatiels fed the 2 complete diets (P > .05). It may be speculated that cockatiels were more accepting of diet A during transition, and diet A more efficiently maintained body weight.

A captive juvenile little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) was presented for acute onset of right head tilt and right circling. The bird failed to respond to supportive care and systemic antibiotic therapy. A bilateral granulomatous and fibrinoheterophilic otitis interna due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa was diagnosed postmortem by histopathologic examination and bacterial culture. In bustards, Pseudomonas species have been documented in the normal bacterial flora of the oropharynx and are frequently reported in upper respiratory tract infections. This is the first report of a peripheral vestibular syndrome due to P aeruginosa otitis interna in a bustard species. Pseudomonas aeruginosa should be included as a possible cause of otitis and peripheral vestibular syndrome in bustards.

Seminomas occur infrequently in birds. Two cases of bilateral malignant seminomas in unrelated trumpeter hornbills (Bycanistes buccinator) are described. Case 1 was a 22-year-old trumpeter hornbill submitted for necropsy because of sudden death at a zoo in California. Postmortem examination revealed multiple masses within the body cavity, 2 of which replaced both testes. Case 2 was a 19-year-old trumpeter hornbill at a zoo in North Carolina that underwent exploratory surgery for a suspected gastrointestinal obstruction. Both testes were diffusely enlarged, compressing and replacing the adjacent kidneys. In both birds, the masses were composed of discrete, round to polyhedral cells, typical of seminomas. Examination of the ancestry of the hornbills showed they were unrelated to each other, suggesting a potential predisposition for these birds to develop seminomas.

Bacterial culture and susceptibility testing results of a wound on the plantar aspect of the foot of a 4-year-old, male chicken with a class IV pododermatitis revealed a multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli bacterium, sensitive to only a few antibiotics including ceftazidime. Concerns over the volume and frequency of antibiotic injections, combined with the likely duration of treatment, led to the use of a vascular access port to facilitate intravenous antimicrobial therapy. The port was placed and maintained for 5 months without complication, and the infection was resolved. This case illustrates the feasibility and application of a vascular port in an avian patient requiring long-term intravenous therapy.

The aim of this clinical report was to describe a case of complete atrioventricular dissociation in a 9-month-old, male ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). The case was incidentally determined during the evaluation of electrocardiograms recorded from pheasants. There were no observed clinical symptoms in the bird before or after the electrocardiogram. The PR interval varied, and there was no association of the P waves and QRS complexes in the electrocardiogram. Although the ventricular rhythm was regular (130 beats/min), atrial rhythm was irregular (approximately 91 beats/min). Pathological examination showed there was left ventricular hypertrophy with degeneration of the mitral valve of the heart and well-marked congestion in the liver and lung.

A 12-year-old female common mynah (Acridotheres tristis) was examined because of dyspnea and coelomic enlargement. Abdominal radiographs revealed hepatomegaly and a coelomic mass of unknown origin. Both brightness mode (2-dimensional; 2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography were performed to identify the origin of the mass. Ultrasonographic findings distinguished the mass from the liver and revealed high vascularization of the mass and a moderate increase in echogenicity of the liver. Three-dimensional ultrasonographic histogram analysis of the mass was performed. The mynah was treated with supportive care but died after 3 days. Histopathologic examination showed ovarian adenocarcinoma, with concurrent mild to moderate hepatopathy. In diagnostic imaging using ultrasound in birds, 3D ultrasonography allows perspective images of the internal organs to be obtained and is potentially superior to 2D ultrasonography in evaluating irregularly shaped objects.

To evaluate tear production in the common mynah (Acridotheres tristis) using the phenol red thread test (PRTT) and to make a comparison of measurements with the PRTT placed in the fornices of lower and upper eyelids, tear production of both eyes in 22 healthy adult captive mynah birds was evaluated. After positioning of threads in the fornices of upper and lower eyelids, the PRTT values of the birds were 17.5 ± 3.1 mm/15 s and 19.2 ± 2.5 mm/15 s, respectively. A significant difference was found between PRTT values for upper eyelids and lower eyelids (P = 0.01). This study provides novel data for normal reference ranges of PRTT values in healthy common mynah birds and shows that a difference is found depending on where the PRTT thread is placed.