Gastric dilation
The glandular stomach dilatation (Syn .: neurogenic or neuropathic glandular stomach dilatation , myogenic ganglioneuritis , Macaw Wasting Disease , Psittacine Proventricular Dilatation , PPD ) is a serious disease of the nervous system in large parrots , which goes with a strong enlargement ( dilatation ) of the glandular stomach and a strong emaciation. The disease cannot be cured.
Etiology and pathogenesis
The cause of PPD has not yet been clarified. It is assumed that a virus that has not yet been identified causes the disease, as the disease spreads rapidly in herds and bacteria and fungi as potential pathogens can be ruled out with a high degree of certainty. The incubation period is usually three months, but it can also last several years.
The pathogen causes inflammation and degeneration of the nerves . This usually affects the vegetative nervous system of the digestive system first , which controls the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Since the glandular stomach has a relatively thin wall, this is usually where dilation is most likely. But other parts such as the gizzard or the goiter can also be affected. In advanced cases, disorders of the central nervous system with cramps and coordination disorders can also occur.
Clinical picture
The clinical picture is unspecific. The animals lose weight and show a general weakness , although the feed intake is not reduced, but often even increased. Undigested grains in the feces are an initial suspicion. Regurgitation can occur if the goiter is disturbed .
Diagnosis and differential diagnosis
The diagnosis can be made with some certainty on the basis of the x-ray and the elimination procedure. The x-ray shows an enlarged, thin-walled glandular stomach. For diagnostics, the quotient of the vertical diameter of the glandular stomach at the level of the last thoracic vertebra and the maximum height of the sternum crest ( crista sterni ) can be determined. This is greater than 0.52 in the case of a pathologically enlarged glandular stomach. The diagnosis can be confirmed by removing a piece from the wall of the goiter and performing a histopathological examination.
In the differential diagnosis , bacterial and mycotic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract must be excluded. However, such diseases can also occur secondary to food stasis . Furthermore, parasitic diseases, in particular infestation with roundworms and tapeworms , must be ruled out using fecal samples.
Therapy and prognosis
There is no effective treatment and the prognosis is poor. A reduction in the inflammatory changes with celecoxib or meloxicam can be attempted to prolong life . The administration of vitamin B complex is also recommended by some authors. To improve crop evacuation and to avoid regurgitation, metoclopramide can be given 20 minutes before feeding , but this has little effect on gastric motility in birds.
To avoid this, purchases of stocks should be quarantined. However, due to the sometimes long incubation time, there is no reliable protection.
literature
- M. Pees: The neuropathic glandular stomach dilatation. Small animal in detail 8 (2) / 2005, pp. 26–30.
- K. Gabrisch, P. Zwart: Diseases of pets . Schlütersche, 6th edition 2005, ISBN 3-89993-010-X .
Individual evidence
- ↑ SE Dennison et al .: Radiographic determination of proventricular diameter in psittacine birds. In: J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 232 (29008), pp. 709-714.
