MAJOR DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS AND DISEASES OF CAGE AND AVIARY BIRDS: A DIAGNOSTIC ALGORITHM

Gastrointestinal disorders are common in cage and aviary birds. In young individuals, the rapid development of disease can be debilitating and lead to high mortality. Consideration of species predilection for certain diseases can be helpful when developing a diagnostic plan. Important clinical information, useful for a proper diagnosis, includes review of the environment, aviary management practices, diet, the history of possible disease exposure, and medications administered. Routine cytology and Gram stains of oropharyngeal, ocular, crop and fecal smears vary among psittacine species and are essential for the diagnostic evaluation. An Acid Fast stain of fecal material can help evaluate for Cryptosporidium spp. and Mycobacterium spp. infections. Parasitological analysis through direct saline smear and fecal flotation should also be performed. Additional diagnostics such as hematology, serum biochemistries, toxicology testing, microbiology, radiology, endoscopy, and specific molecular diagnostics are implemented as indicated to aid a proper diagnosis. Gasto-intestinal tract disease may be due to bacterial, fungal, viral, parasitic, toxicologic, developmental, and neoplastic etiologies. Chlamydia infection should always be considered in psittacine species as infections are variable and may be inapparent. Necropsy examination is an important tool in the evaluaton process. This presentation will review the pertinent Gastro-intestinal tract anatomy, various disease etiologies, diagnositic algorithm, treatment and prevention of major digestive tract problems in caged birds.