Evaluation of diagnostic criteria in grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) with suspected atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a common disease in older psittacines living in captivity with inadequate housing conditions. However, diagnosis in the living bird remains difficult and the disease is often only recognized during post mortem examination. In this context, we aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of currently reported methods in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus).

7 clinically healthy African grey parrots and 32 African grey parrots with suspected atherosclerosis were evaluated in this study. An overall scoring system was implemented based on clinical signs, measurement of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a radiographic exam, and an echocardiogram in B-mode. Furthermore, measurements of the blood flow velocity in the aortic root, heart rate and velocity time integral were performed using the spectral Doppler ultrasonographic function.

Measurements of the blood flow velocity in the aortic root showed highly significant differences between the clinically healthy group and a subset of the patient group. Significant differences between the groups also were evident concerning the results of the overall scoring and of the initial examinations.

The results support that combining spectral Doppler ultrasonographic examination with other diagnostic options may be used to substantiate suspected atherosclerosis and provide additional information regarding the cardiovascular status of the patient.

The presented findings indicate that employing the described diagnostic methods allows for an intra vitam diagnosis of atherosclerosis and therefore an earlier initiation of treatment.