Histopathological Findings in the Cardiovascular System of Psittacidae in Routine Diagnostics

Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2022 May;25(2):453-467. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2022.01.009.

Abstract

Samples of 363 Psittacidae were included in this study with a focus on cardiovascular diseases. These were identified in 28.9% of the animals, with pericarditis and/or epicarditis and myocarditis representing approximately half of all lesions and bacteria being the most common infectious cause. Cardiac lymphoma was only seen in 5 birds, whereas degenerative vascular lesions were diagnosed in 26.7% of the cases. Histopathology in the context of clinical findings and complementary examination results is the most useful tool for the evaluation of cardiac diseases.

Keywords: Aorta; Atherosclerosis; Avian; Heart; Lymphoma; Myocarditis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular System* / pathology
  • Myocarditis* / complications
  • Myocarditis* / pathology
  • Myocarditis* / veterinary
  • Parrots*
  • Pericarditis* / etiology
  • Pericarditis* / pathology
  • Pericarditis* / veterinary