Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) aka Neuropathic Gastric Dilatation or Macaw Wasting Disease
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PDD is a very devastating, fatal disease affecting not only macaws, but has been seen in many species, including African Greys, cockatoos, cockatiels, conures, Eclectus parrots, Amazons, and budgies.
Symptoms:
Typical symptoms include constant or intermittent regurgitation, chronic bacterial or fungal crop infections, pendulous crops, weight loss, passage of whole intact seeds in droppings, incoordination, depression or sudden death. Concomitant central nervous system signs may include ataxia, abnormal head movements, seizures, and proprioceptive or motor deficits.
These signs, unfortunately, are not specific for this disease. Other conditions, such as lead poisoning, bacterial and fungal infections, foreign bodies and obstructions, can mimic this disease.
Diagnosis:
- Antemortem diagnosis of Proventricular Dilatation can be difficult. Suspicion of this disease is based upon history and physical examination. A complete workup should be performed, which includes a CBC, blood chemistry, bacterial and fungal cultures and sensitivities, and a chlamydia test. Survey and contrast X-rays may demonstrate a dilated proventriculus (glandular stomach) and delayed passage of barium from the gastrointestinal tract. These findings further support a tentative diagnosis but are not conclusive. A definitive diagnosis is based upon a biopsy of the crop, ventriculous (gizzard) or proventriculous, demonstrating characteristic histopathologic changes. The characteristic lesions may not be uniformly distributed throughout the affected organ, so multiple biopsies are necessary.
- At necropsy, emaciation, pectoral muscle atrophy, and dilation of the gastrointestinal tract, including the proventriculus, are observed.
Treatment:
Some success has been achieved by using anti-inflammatory agents with significant activity in the CNS, peripheral nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. The drug Celecoxib, specifically, significantly improved the functional status of PDD-affected birds, and appears to be safe and well tolerated in these species. Treatment duration was for a period of 6 to 12 weeks with the decision to cease medication based upon the return to normal body weight, condition, and diet.
Supportive care focused on improving gastrointestinal transit (fluids, apple pectin), providing nutritional support with easily digested hand-feeding formulas and appropriate therapy to eliminate bacterial (Clostridial) and fungal enteric infections.
Long-term prognosis is grave, with the majority of birds succumbing after a period of progressive debilitation and wasting.
Related Websites / References:
Resolution of Clinical Proventricular Dilatation Disease by Cycloogenase 2 Inhibition ... Linda Pesek - Proventricular Dilatation Syndrome ... PDD / PDS / Macaw Wasting Disease (1996) ... PDD Update (Requires Adobe Acrobat to view.) ... Proventricular Dilatation Disease (Macaw Wasting Syndrome) by Howard Voren ... Hot Spot: Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) by Hannis L. Stoddard, III ... The PDD Information Page ... Proventricular Dilatation Disease: A Viral Epornitic ... Please, also visit: Xena's Memorial Page (Xena, was my African Grey parrot that died from PDD in 1997. She is, in fact, the reason why this entire website is in existence today)Natural Antibiotics / Strengthening Your Immunesystem Naturally ... General Avian Health References
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Information contained on this website is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.
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