Avian and Reptile Respiratory Disease Flashcards
1
Q
describe important respiratory disease of birds
A
- chlamydiosis (psittacosis)
- aspergillosis
- avian flu
- others:
-poor air quality and pollutants
-aspiration
-airsac rupture
-coelomic diseases: no diaphragm = easy spread between thoracic and GI dz - birds often hide symptoms of disease!
-whenever you see a sick bird, it’s an emergency!
2
Q
describe chlamydiosis/psittacosis
A
- chlamydia psittaci: obligate intracellular bacterium
- all birds, esp cockatiels, budgerigars, small parrots
- REPORTABLE!!! ZOONOTIC!!!
- transmission: fecal-oral, inhalation
- acute and chronic (sublinical, latent) disease, unmasked by stressors
-latent is more like lowgrade chronic infection than true latency - clinical signs:
-nasal and ocular discharge
-conjunctivitis
-sinusitis
-green-yellow feces
-inactivity
-fluffed
-anorexia
-weight loss
3
Q
describe diagnosis of chlamydiosis (psittacosis)
A
- antimortem:
-acute disease: PCR, serology (IgM, paired rising IgG) (difficult to culture)
-screening for chronic disease: 5-7d pooled fecal sample for PCR, serology (IgG) - necropsy:
-airsacculitis
-pericarditis
-periphepatitis
-peritonitis
-bronchopneumonia
-hepatic necrosis
-hepatomegaly
-splenomegaly
4
Q
describe treatment of chlamydiosis/psittacosis
A
- tetracyclines, doxycycline preferred for 45 days (NOT enrofloxacin)
-elementary bodies within macrophages resist treatments, hence prolonged therapy
-NO BAYTRIL (reserve for resistant and other infections) - improved biosecurity!
-quarantine and test all new birds, prevent exposures to wild, birds, thorough cleaning and disinfection, discard any porous materials
5
Q
describe aspergillosis in birds
A
- aspergillus fumigatus: most common, opportunistic environmental fungus
- usually in immunocompromised: poor environment, malnutrition, steroids
-especially parrots, raptors, waterfowl, penguins
-NO steroids birds! could easily induce BAD immunosuppression
-raptors kept lean to stay food motivated but fine line between lean and malnourished - transmission by aerosolized spores: NOT bird to bird, NOT zoonotic
- can infect any part of respiratory tract: and can spread to liver, bone, kidneys, and brain
- clinical signs:
-lethargy
-anorexia, weight loss
-voice change
-tachypnea, dyspnea
6
Q
describe diagnosis of aspergillosis in birds
A
- antimortem:
-cytology/histopathology demonstrating fungal hyphae and fungal culture (endoscopic biopsy)
-hematology (increased WBC), diagnostic imaging (space occupying lesions in thoracic cavity), protein electrophoresis (shows inflammation), serology/galactomannan (increased sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis)
- necropsy:
-white plaques or granulomas
-airsacculitis
-bronchopneumonia
-tracheitis
-sinusitis
7
Q
describe treatment of aspergillosis in birds
A
- oxygen and supportive care
- antifungals (itraconazole, voriconazle)
- endoscopic or surgical debridement of granulomas
8
Q
describe avian flu
A
- orthomyxovirus (LPAI, HPAI)
-mainly asymptomatic wildlife sources, esp aquatic/migratory birds
-HPAI risks to commercial poultry and other species of birds and mammals
-REPORTABLE!!! ZOONOTIC!!!
- clinical signs:
-sudden death with no prior signs
-lethargy, reduced appetite
-purple discoloration or swelling of various body parts
-reduced egg production
-soft-shelled/misshapen eggs
-nasal discharge
-coughing or sneezing
-ataxia
-diarrhea
9
Q
describe diagnosis of avian flu
A
- antimortem:
-oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs for PCR
-serology - necropsy:
-pancreatic necrosis, hemorrhages, edema
-oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs for PCR
10
Q
describe treatment of avian flu
A
- NOTIFY STATE VET FIRST!!!!!!!! even if just suspicious without diagnostic confirmation!!
- poultry (including pet chickens):
-mandatory depopulation
-increased biosecurity - pet birds:
-isolation
-supportive care
-oseltamivir (tamiflu)
-antimicrobials against secondary infections
-increased biosecurity
-inform owner to seek medical advice (ZOONOTIC)
11
Q
describe 4 other causes of respiratory signs in birds
A
- poor air quality and pollutants
-especially if constantly indoors
-keep away from kitchens, fires, AC
-burning teflon hella toxic to birds - aspiration:
-in very weak birds
-secondary to gavage/crop feeding - coelomic diseases:
-no diaphragm so any coelemic pathology could result in respiratory signs - airsac rupture:
-traumatic and typically resolve
12
Q
describe important bacterial respiratory pathogens of reptiles (5)
A
- mycoplasma, mycobacterium, salmonella, pseudomonas, chlamydia, E. coli, klebsiella
- mycoplasma and mycobacterium are primary pathogens
- remainder are typically opportunistic infections in solitary, compromised pets
- important to submit samples for cytology/histopath and culture or PCR
-not NGS (too broad of a PCR process) - initial drug selection based upon gram stain and published doses
-gram negatives: aminoglycosides
-gram positive: beta lactams
13
Q
describe important viral respiratory pathogens of reptiles (5)
A
- nidovirus/serpentovirus, paramyxovirus, reptarenavirus, reovirus, herpesvirus
- often associated with recent purchase or introduction = quarantine SO important!!
- submit samples for cytology/histopath, PCR (culture is difficult), and serology if available
- treatment is often supportive:
-fluid and nutritional support
-short-term use of NSAIDs
-tier-1 antibiotics against secondary bacterial infections - remove and euthanize symptomatic animals from quarantine due to risk of persistent shedders even if they get past the acute stage
14
Q
describe important mycotic respiratory pathogens of reptiles (4)
A
- candida, paecilomyces, aspergillus
- often opportunistic in solitary, compromised pets
- important to submit samples for cytology/histopath and culture (or NGS)
- initial drug selection based upon cytology/gram stain and published doses
-itraconazole, voriconazle
-terbinafine
-amphotericin B
15
Q
describe important parasitic respiratory pathogens of reptiles
A
- rhabdias, strogyloides, pentostomids, renifers
- rare in captive bred reptiles fed cultured or frozen/thawed lab rodents
- diagnosis by microscopy
- initial drug selection based upon cytology and published drug doses
-nematodes, trematodes, pentostomids
-fenbendazole, ivermectin, praziquantel, surgical removal
