Reproductive diseases of Companion Birds Flashcards
Male Reproductive disorders:
Testicular Neoplasms
orchitis
Testicular Degeneration
Phallus prolapse
Female Reproducitve disorders
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
Testicular Neoplasms
Frequently observed in budgerigars
Seminoma, leydig cells, Sertoli cell, Teratoma
Sertoli cell tumors may secrete estrogen-like substances
Testicular Tumors:
Clinical Signs
Unilateral pelvic limb paresis
Budgerigars - develop brown cere
Coelomic Distension
Testicular tumor
Differential Diagnosis
Renal neoplasia
Testicular Neoplasms
Diagnosis
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
Ectopic Eggs
The presence of eggs in the coelomic cavity
Several factors, including uterine rupture or reverse peristalsis of hte oviduct
Reverse peristalsis - causes
Ectopic eggs
Diagnosis
palpation, radiology, or ultrasound
Ectopic egg
Treatment
surgery
Egg yolk Peritonitis
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
Egg Yolk Peritonitis
Clinical signs
Non-specific, dyspnea, and or distended abdomen
Ascites and abnormal posture might also be present
Leukocytosis with a relative heterophilia
Hypercholesterolemia, hyperglobinemia, and hypercalcemia
Egg yolk Peritonitis
Diagnosis
Diagnosis should be confirmed by radiology / ultrasound
Cytology of hte coelomic contents, often differentiates between septic and nonseptic inflammation
Egg yolk Peritonitis
Treatment
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
Egg Retention and Dystocia
Background
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
Egg retention and dystocia
Causes
multifactorial
Small bird species, lik canaries, finches, and budgerigars are most commonly affected
Egg retention and Dystocia
Diagnosis
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
Egg Retention and Dystocia
Treatment
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
Dystocia with Cloacal Entrapment and Prolapse
Treatment
Anesthesia, cleaning and lubrication
Content aspiration to collapse the retained egg
Egg is removed
Two stay sutures are placed to prevent further prolapse
Chronic Egg Laying
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
Chronic Egg laying
Treatment
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
Cystic Ovary
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
Cystic Ovary
Treatment
includes surgical resection or US-guided transcoelomic aspiration of the cyst
Leuprolide birth control
