Cardiac disease in the Spix Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii): two cases

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease in avian species, other than poultry, is being increasingly reported. In psittacine birds, atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure are the leading cardiovascular diseases, often resulting in multiorgan dysfunction and demise. The Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) is arguably the most endangered psittacine species worldwide. We aimed to describe the gross and microscopic findings in two adult Spix's macaws wherein severe cardiovascular pathology resulted in sudden death. Bird 1 had pathologic findings consistent with fibrinoheterophilic vegetative pulmonic valvular endocarditis with luminal obliterative thrombosis, myocarditis and epicarditis, myocardial fibrofatty infiltration and cardiomyocyte loss, as well as generalized septicaemia. Microbiological analysis yielded Pantoea septica from the intestines and Acinetobacter baylyi from the cerebrum. Bird 2 had changes suggestive of right brachiocephalic coarctation-like obliterative arteriopathy. The latter is a novel cardiovascular pathology in avian species, and its severity and extent likely led to acute decompensation of pre-existing cardiac disease. These results add to the body of knowledge on avian cardiovascular pathology and may aid in veterinary medical decisions on caged birds, including those part of ex situ conservation efforts.