Proventricular dilatation disease in an African Grey parrot

A 12 year old presumed male African Grey Parrot presented to Cornell University Hospital for Animals with chief complaints of lethargy, weight loss, regurgitation after drinking water and change in behavior. Upon presentation, the bird was fluffed, dehydrated, and underweight. Palpation revealed a distended coelomic cavity and a prominent keel. Serum chemistry showed elevated uric acid and creatinine kinase, and hematology showed a marked heterophilia. Radiographs and coelomic ultrasound confirmed a distended proventriculus containing feed material. A crop biopsy was performed, which was negative for the typical histological signs seen in proventricular dilation disease (PDD). A feather sample was positive on PCR and ELISA for avian bornavirus, the etiologic agent of PDD. The patient was managed with medications including a prokinetic agent, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, an antibiotic and antifungal. Despite initial improvement in clinical symptoms, the patient passed away 9 weeks after initial presentation