Reproductive diseases of Companion Birds

Question 1

Male Reproductive disorders:

Answer 1

Testicular Neoplasms

orchitis

Testicular Degeneration

Phallus prolapse

Question 2

Female Reproducitve disorders

Answer 2

Cystic ovary

Egg retention and dystocia

Egg yolk peritonitis

Chronic Egg laying

Oophoritis

Salpingiits / metritis

Ectopic eggs

Oviduct systic hyperplasia

Torsion of the uterus

Neoplasia

Question 3

Testicular Neoplasms

Answer 3

Frequently observed in budgerigars

Seminoma, leydig cells, Sertoli cell, Teratoma

Sertoli cell tumors may secrete estrogen-like substances

Question 4

Testicular Tumors:

Clinical Signs

Answer 4

Unilateral pelvic limb paresis

Budgerigars - develop brown cere

Coelomic Distension

Question 5

Testicular tumor

Differential Diagnosis

Answer 5

Renal neoplasia

Question 6

Testicular Neoplasms

Diagnosis

Answer 6

A definitive diagnosis is often made on postmortem examinaltion

In the living patient, a diagnosis can be reached by testicular biopsy - VERY challenging

Treatment, if diagnosed early - Surgical + orchidectomy

Question 7

Ectopic Eggs

Answer 7

The presence of eggs in the coelomic cavity

Several factors, including uterine rupture or reverse peristalsis of hte oviduct

Reverse peristalsis - causes

Question 8

Ectopic eggs

Diagnosis

Answer 8

palpation, radiology, or ultrasound

Question 9

Ectopic egg

Treatment

Answer 9

surgery

Question 10

Egg yolk Peritonitis

Answer 10

The yolk is identified as a foreign substance leading to a major inflammatory response

Most egg peritonitis cases are septic

Common in budgerigars, cockatiels, and lovebirds

Question 11

Egg Yolk Peritonitis

Clinical signs

Answer 11

Non-specific, dyspnea, and or distended abdomen

Ascites and abnormal posture might also be present

Leukocytosis with a relative heterophilia

Hypercholesterolemia, hyperglobinemia, and hypercalcemia

Question 12

Egg yolk Peritonitis

Diagnosis

Answer 12

Diagnosis should be confirmed by radiology / ultrasound

Cytology of hte coelomic contents, often differentiates between septic and nonseptic inflammation

Question 13

Egg yolk Peritonitis

Treatment

Answer 13

NSAIDs to reduce inflammation

Antibiotics based on culture and sensitivity results

Might be necessary to surgically remove the egg material formthe coelomic cavity

Coelomocentesis may be helpful in unstable patients with a severe ascites to improve respiration

Question 14

Egg Retention and Dystocia

Background

Answer 14

The most frequent obstetric disorders of birds and of the most frequent avian emergencies

Egg retention - an egg that is not laid within the normal time

Dystocia - can be described as the mechanical obstruction of the egg passage in the caudal part of the oviduct

Question 15

Egg retention and dystocia

Causes

Answer 15

multifactorial

Small bird species, lik canaries, finches, and budgerigars are most commonly affected

Question 16

Egg retention and Dystocia

Diagnosis

Answer 16

Suspicion should arise if the clinician is presented with a female patient with distended coelom and tenesmus

Other signs migh include lameness, leg paralysis, or respiratory difficulty

Clinical signs, Physical exam, Radiology / ultrasound

Question 17

Egg Retention and Dystocia

Treatment

Answer 17

Therapy depends on the physical status of hte patient and the severity of the clinical sings

The bird should be placed in a dark, warmed and humidified cage

In minimally depressed birds, the egg will pass without further treatment

Patients that are still able to fass feces and urine should be given fluids, and calcium gluconate

Oxytocin should be used only when it can be ascertained that htere is no adhesion between the eggsheel and the oviductal mucosa or other mechanical obstructions

Question 18

Dystocia with Cloacal Entrapment and Prolapse

Treatment

Answer 18

Anesthesia, cleaning and lubrication

Content aspiration to collapse the retained egg

Egg is removed

Two stay sutures are placed to prevent further prolapse

Question 19

Chronic Egg Laying

Answer 19

Relatively common in budgerigars, lovebirds, and cockatiels, but is observed in other bird species

Chronic egg laying is more common in hand reared females, especially if imprinted and single

Can lead to dangerous mineral imbalances, especially related to calcium metabolism

Question 20

Chronic Egg laying

Treatment

Answer 20

Based on DIfferent steps, including:

Behavior: laid eggs should be left in the nest to avoid the “double clutch phenomenon”

Remove all possible sexual stimuli like, nest boxes, toys and mirrors

Owners should avoid patting hte bird on its back

THe cage should be moved to another, unfamiliar environment, and the photoperiod should be decreased to a maximum of 8-10 horus a day

Nutritional changes should first focus on an adequate supply of calcium and vitamins to avoid nutritional imbalances

Leuprolide (bird birth control hormone that inhibits FSH and LH production)

Salpingohysterectomy

Question 21

Cystic Ovary

Answer 21

The etiology of this disease is unknown, but a hormonal disturbance seems likely

The syndrome is mostly observe in cockatiels, and less frequently in pheasants, budgerigars, and cockatoos

Symptoms might include coelomic distention, resulting form large cycsts and in breeding bireds, and increased number of copulations without egg laying

In those birds, radiographs often show hyperostosis

Question 22

Cystic Ovary

Treatment

Answer 22

includes surgical resection or US-guided transcoelomic aspiration of the cyst

Leuprolide birth control