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| Disorders of the Upper Digestive Track | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 18 2009, 11:51 AM (26 Views) | |
| BUUZBEE | Feb 18 2009, 11:51 AM Post #1 |
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DISORDERS OF THE UPPER DIGESTIVE TRACT by Linda Pesek DVM, Diplomat ABVP (Avian) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disorders of the upper respiratory system may be inherited, may be caused by early growth conditions, or may be the result of a disease or dietary deficiency. Knowing more about these problems will help, both in recognizing them and in taking corrective action. The upper respiratory system is divided into the beak and orapharynx. The disorders for each are listed separately below. The Beak The upper and lower jaws are covered by a hard keratinized structure known as the rhamphotheca. This horny material is continuously growing and worn down by the normal activity of the bird. The tip of the upper beak has a rich supply of blood and both the upper and lower beak have an abundant supply of nerve endings. Injury to the beak, especially the tip, can be extremely painful. Birds may be so uncomfortable that they refuse to eat. The beak may become severly damaged as a result of an attack by a larger bird or other animal. Any cracks or fissures must be repaired to prevent food and water from invading the beak, leading to bacterial or fungal infection. Fortunately acryllics can be used to repair the damaged beak, enabling the bird to eat, groom, and move about until the tissue is replaces. The horny covering of the upper beak - the rhinotheca - is replaced in approximately six months while the Keratin of the lower beak - the gnatotheca is replaced in two to three months. Congenital defects may occur, causing the beak to be abnormal. Scissors Beak Scissors beak is a condition in which the upper and lower beaks cross. Maindibular prognathium is a condition in which the lower jaw is longer and justs out, cathing the tip of the upper beak. This is especially common in cockatoos. In the very early stages, corrective measures may be taken using wires and acrylics to correct these defects. After a certain stage, however, these become extremely difficult if not impossible to correct. Overgrowth of the Upper Beak Overgrowth of the rhinotheca (upper beak) may occur with liver disease. The beak usually has small bruises as well. This is most frequently seen in budgies on an all seed diet. Bloodwork, xrays, and a liver biopsy help support the diagnosis. Rubber Bill An extremely soft beak known as "rubber bill" may be seen in birds fed a diet low in calcium and Vitamin D. This is due to insufficient mineralization of the beak and is most commonly seen in doves and pigeons fed a wild bird seed diet without supplementation, instead of the proper colubiform diet. Chronic Nasal Infection - Rhinitis Chronic nasal infection or rhinitis can cause the development of longitudinal grooves in the upper beak as a result of the chronic discharge. Knemidokoptes Mites Knemidokoptes mites cause a disease known as "scaly face" or "scaly leg". These mites are most common in budgies, but may occur in other types of birds as well. These burrowing mites cause proliferative lesions on the beak, legs, feet and cloaca. Although this mite is most common in young birds, it can affect adults also. Diagnosis is by the characteristic hyperkeratosis and scrapings of the skin. This disease can be treated by a drug that kills the mites. Left untreated, the beak will become severly disfigured and the bird may be unable to eat. Beak and Feather Virus The beak may develop fissures, cracks, and splits as well as overgrow as the result of beak and feather virus. The horny covering may even separate from the underlying bone and mucosa. This is extremely painful. Bacteria and fungi often invade the damaged beak. The bird is in a great deal of pain and often stops eating. This damage is progressive and very little can be done to make the bird more comfortable. Secondary infrections can be treated with antibiotics and antifundals, but the disease usually leads to the demise of the bird. The Orapharynx Tongue lacerations can occur as a result of fighting or gettin the tongue caught in the toy. These tongue lacerations require suturing because the tongue is in constant motion and will not heal if left alone. Vitmain A Deficiency Vitamin A deficiency is frequently seen in psittacine birds fed an all seed diet. The choanal papillae, (the small projections around the choanal opening in the the roof of the mouth) become blunted. The lining of the submandibular salivary glands undergoes a change known as squamous metaplasie. Swellings and excessive amounts of mucus are produced in the oral cavity. These swellings may occur on the roof of the mouth or under the tongue and contain a thick white material. These can interfere with eating. Treatment consists of lancing these, antibiotics and Vitamin A supplementation as well as improving the diet. (These changes also occur in the repiratory tract as well. Internal Papillomatosis Internal papillomatosis is an infectious disease of suspected viral etiology that affects new world parrots. Macaws, hawk-headed parrots, amazons and conures can be affected. Small wartlike growths known as papillomas can be found in the oral cavities, as well as in other places in the body. The papillomas are white or pink and have a cauliflour or cobblestone appearance. Common locations in the oral cavity are the base of the tongue, the margins of the choana and the glottis. These lesions may not be easy to see unless the beak is held open so that the oral cavity can be closely examined. If clinical signs do occur, they may include wheezing, salivation, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing and open-mouthed breathing. Bile duct and pancreatic duct carcinoma has been linked with internal papillomatosis. Candidas Candidas is an infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans. It can cause plaques and exudative lesions in the mouth which cause difficulty eating and drinking. Young birds - especially cockatiels - are most frequently affected. Prolonged antibiotic treatments, malnutrition, and concurrent illness can casue an adult bird to develop candida. This condition is treated with antifungal medication. Winged Wisdom Note: Dr. Linda Pesek graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She has a small animal and avian practice in New York. Linda also writes columns for The Long Island Parrot Society and The Big Apple Bird Club and is a frequent lecturer at their meetings. She is the owner of an extensive collection of exotic birds. |
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| BUUZBEE | Feb 18 2009, 11:53 AM Post #2 |
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DISORDERS OF THE UPPER DIGESTIVE TRACT PART II by Linda Pesek DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Crop Stasis Crop stasis occurs when the normal mobility of the crop is impaired, causing food to remain in the crop. The crop may appear enlarged orit may be hidden by feathers. Food, fluid and mucus or foreign bodies may be present in the crop. Crop stasis is most common in baby psittaciines (parrots) and may be the result of improper concentration of formula, infection or dehydration. In older birds crop stasis may result from lead or zinc intoxication, foreign bodies, candida, parasites or viral infections, including PDD. Whatever the cause, food that remains in the crop for prolonged periods of time spoils as a result of bacterial and fungal overgrowth and can lead to systemic illness. Veterinary care consists of determining and treating the cause of the stasis, removing the crop contents, lavaging (washing) the crop and restoring its normal motility. Crop Burns Crop burns occur when birds ingest food that is too hot. This is seen most commonly in baby birds that are fed formula that has been microwaved and not mixed thoroughly, leaving hot spots in the food. If the burn is mild, swelling and reddness will appear on the surface of the skin within several days. If the burn is severe, a hole or fistula develops, resulting in the formula or food leaking onto the neck. Severe burns require surgical repair. If a burn is suspected, the bird should be examined by a veterinarian to assess the extent f the burn and what treatment is necessary. Crop burns should not be ignored and can be potentially life threatening. The type of treatment depends upon the degree of tissue damage. Mild burns may be treated with antibiotics and topical ointments, while sever burns may require surgical repair. Regurgitation Regurgitation is the ejection of food from the crop. Regurgitation differs from vomiting, which is the ejection of food from the proventriculus (glandular stomach) and the ventriculus ( muscular stomach or gizzard). If the ejected food looks like it is partially digested, then it is most likely that it is coming from lower down in the digestive tract and is vomiting. Regurgitated food appears undigested. Regurgitation may be normal or it may signal crop or systemic disease. Some birds will regurgitate to another bird or their owners or toys as a sign of affection and courtship. Other birds may regurgitate from excitement, fear or traveling. Certain species - such as pigeons and doves - will regurgitate a secretion known as "crop milk" to their young. Crop stasis, foregn bodies, certain parasites, bacterial infections, viral infections, Candidiasis, certain oral antibiotics, and lead or zinc intoxication may also result in regurgitation. A dysfunction of the proventriculus and ventriculus may also lead to regurgitation and vomiting. This dysfunction may be caused by many of the things that can adversely affect the crop. Liver disease, kidney disease, pancreatic disease and reproductive tract disease may also cause regurgitation, vomiting and loss of appetite. Because so many things can cause disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the ailing avian patient should be given a thorough evaluation, consisting of a physical examination, blood workup, cultures, fecal examination. Radiographs may be necessary to completely evaluate the digestive tract. Supportive care consisting of fluids, antibiotics, antifungals, and antiemetics is often necessary. Other articles by Linda Pesek DVM on the digestive tract and its disorders can be found at: The Avian Digestive Tract Disorders Of The Upper Digestive Tract Winged Wisdom Note: Dr. Linda Pesek graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and is a Diplomat of the ABVP in Avian Paractice (a Board Certified Avian Veterinarian). She has a small animal and avian practice in New York. Linda also writes columns for The Long Island Parrot Society and The Big Apple Bird Club and is a frequent lecturer at their meetings. She is the owner of an extensive collection of exotic birds. |
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