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Jeffrey Krasnoff, DVM, MS - Avian Diagnosticsby Terri LeinneweberThis article originally appeared in SQUAWK, the newsletter of the Big Apple Bird Association and is reprinted with permission.B.A.B.A.'s guest speaker in November was Jeffrey Krasnoff, DVM, MS, Brookville Animal Hospital, 691 Glen Cove Road, Glen Head, NY 11545 (Phone: 516-674-3322). Dr. Krasnoff spoke to B.A.B.A. members on the topic of avian diagnostic tests. Dr. Krasnoff first covered the New Purchase Exam, the Sick Bird Exam, then went on to cover the individual diagnostic tests and what they tell the veternarian.
Three points, emphasized by Dr. Krasnoff, should apply to all avian diagnostic work:
The New Purchase ExamDr. Krasnoff believes the bird seller's vet check policy should allow the purchaser adequate time to get all tests back. In other words, when a sale is conditional on vet check results, 24 hours is inadequate since some tests take longer for results to be returned. Dr. Krasnoff also advises buyers to be sure they have enough money left to have an adequate vet check done on all newly purchased birds, even those irresistable impulse buys which we really can't afford. Newly purchased birds should be separated from all other birds for a quarantine period.New purchase exams should include the following tests, with the most necessary tests being listed first: 1) Culture and sensitivity tests. These tests when oral give a picture of the birds overall respiratory condition, and when cloacal give a picture of many of the bird's major anatomical systems, since both the digestive and the reproductive systems exit through the cloaca. These tests help diagnose such bacterial infections as E. coli, and Pseudomonas, such yeast infections as Candida, and such fungal problems as Aspergillosis. Dr. Krasnoff believes that samples for these cultures should only be taken with mini-tip culture instruments, not large Q-tips. He demonstrated the relative sizes of mini-tips and Q-tips. 2) Psittacosis tests. These tests are used to diagnose Chlamydiosis, which is known as Psittacosis, Parrot Fever, and Ornithosis, among other names. Psittacosis is a zoonotic disease, which means that birds can transmit it to people, and vice versa, although the people to bird route is very unlikely. There are two kinds of psittacosis test, a blood titer, which detects antibodies in the blood, and a fecal test, which tests for antigens in the fecal matter. The fecal test often give false negatives and false positives. 3) Psittacine Beak and Feather Syndrome (PBFD). Dr. Krasnoff feels that all cockatoos should be tested for PBFD, along with any other birds at high risk. The tests for PFBD are interpreted by the avian practitioner in relationship to the bird's physical condition: A positive test result on a bird showing physical symptoms will be interpreted as positive for the disease. A negative test result on a bird without physical symptoms will be interpreted as negative for the disease. A positive test result on a bird without physical symptoms will require the bird to be retested in 3 weeks. A negative test result on a bird showing physical symptoms will require a retest in 3 weeks, and/or a biopsy on the abnormal feathers. Birds which are positive for PBFD should be kept isolated from all other birds and their owners should refrain from contact with other birds. Dr. Krasnoff feels that with good supportive care, the birds can often live for a long while with good quality of life. He has found echinacea (an herbal remedy) to be helpful in extending the quality of life of birds who have PBFD. 4) Polyomavirus. This test is done with a cloacal swab or feces. All multiple bird owners should have new birds tested. Birds most at risk are young birds, from 2 to 6 months old. Most birds showing signs will die within 24 to 48 hours. A symptom of this disease are subcutaneous hemorrhages. 5) Avian Screen/Complete Blood Count. These tests give a picture of the general health of the bird. It is important to establish base line values for future use in diagnosis of any problems. Blood samples may be drawn from the jugular vein, wing vein, medial metatarsal vein, heart or toenail. 6) Gram Stain (oral/cloacal). This test is done on oral or cloacal smears. A die is used to determine if gram negative bacteria are present in significant quantities. The overall condition of the bird determines if medication is required for any gram negative bacteria discovered. 7) Fecal Exam. There are two separate parts to a fecal exam: a) the float is used to diagnosis endoparasites such as capillaria, coccidia, tapeworms, etc. and b) the direct smear is used in diagnosis of giardia, trichomonas, etc. 8) X-rays. X-rays are a very good diagnostic tool. They can be used to locate any granulomas (walled off abcesses) and to check the condition of the bone structure, which might determine if the bird has been on an adequate diet or not. The Sick Bird Exam. Common symptoms of a sick bird are puffed feathers, weakness, lethargy, not eating, etc. When a bird shows symptoms of illness, it is usually very ill, so it is important NOT TO KILL THE BIRD DOING TESTS. The tests usually done on a sick bird in order of importance are:
1) Culture and sensitivies, as described above.
The Avian Screen has a number of aspects, which can be used to diagnose various conditions: GlucoseHigh Glucose can indicate diabetes, stress, egg yolk peritonitis.Low Glucose can indicate malnutrition, insulinoma, illness. Total ProteinHigh Total Protein can indicate dehydration or lipemia.Low Total Protein can indicate malnutrition, chronic illness or liver disease. SGOT (Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase) SGOT is an enzyme released into to the system after an injury.High SGOT can indicate liver disease or muscle damage.Calcium.High Calcium level can indicate kidney disease or cancer.Low Calcium level can indicate a nutritional deficiency, and is particularly significant in African Greys who are prone to a low calcium condition. Uric Acid.High Uric Acid indicate lever disease or gout.The Avian Screen tests were developed for mammals; there are several other readings returned by an Avian Screen which are not really very useful in avian patients. These are LDH, SGPT, ALK, PHOS, BUN, Creatnine) The Complete Bood Count is usually done at the same time as an Avian Screen. It has the following readings:
Hematocrit.High Hematocrit readings can indicate dehydration or cancer.Low Hematocrit readings can indicate chronic illness, blood loss, cancer, autoimmune problems, or parasites. WBC (White Blood Cell Count)High WBC indicates bacterial infection, stress or leukemia.Low WBC indicates viral infection, poor immune system. Blood Parasites.heamoproteus (Normal in cockatoos and cockatiels) Microfilaria Differential of WBC.This part of the CBC compares relative numbers of the various types of white blood cells, and compares these numbers with each other, and with the total number of white blood cells. A disproportionate number of the various kinds of white blood cells can determine certain things about the patient:
Miscellaneous TestsThere are specific tests for various infectious agents such as:
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