Myxomatous degeneration of the left atrioventricular valve in a true parrot (Amazona aestiva): a case report

Abstract

Owning wild species as pets is becoming more and more common. Consequently, experience in caring for them has grown, resulting in the diagnosis of numerous diseases. Among these are cardiovascular disorders, especially in parrots. However, the lack of specificity or the absence of clinical signs of these diseases make it difficult to assess cardiovascular issues during the physical examination of birds. This leads to underdiagnosis of these conditions, with the majority being diagnosed post-mortem. This study reports the cardiovascular findings in post-mortem examinations of individuals of the species Amazona aestiva (true parrot) of Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres do Rio de Janeiro (CETAS-RJ) and is the first record of myxomatous degeneration of the left atrioventricular valve in this species.

Postmortem Evaluation of Cardiac Valvular Disease in Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and a Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

“…Valves grossly appear smooth and thickened due to the noninflammatory deposition of myxomatous connective tissue such as glycosaminoglycans within the disorganized extracellular matrix. 6,[10][11][12][13] Myxomatous valvular degeneration is rarely reported in avian species, 16 but there are descriptions of MVD affecting the left atrioventricular valve in an Indian ringneck parakeet (Psittacula krameria), 9 ostrich (Struthio camelus), 13 and Amazon parrot (Amazo-na aestiva), 17 as well as myxomatous dysplasia of the right atrioventricular valve in an African blackfooted penguin (Spheniscus demersus). 18 Conversely, MVD is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease in dogs, often progressing to left atrioventricular valve regurgitation and left-sided congestive heart failure.…”

<i>Enterococcus casseliflavus</i> infection in a captive Southern Cassowary (<i>Casuarius casuarius</i>): clinical and post-mortem findings

“…Existing myxomatous degenerative changes of the atrio-ventricular valves could promote the development of platelet fibrin aggregates that could have provided a suitable nidus for bacterial invasion and colonization [ 10 , 13 , 18 ]. Valvular endocarditis has been reported in both domestic and wild avian species and animals can be asymptomatic with peracute death or have non-specific clinical signs before succumbing to illness [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 17 ]. In this case, there was no obvious evidence of heart failure caused by valvular endocarditis, though it may have contributed to the deterioration of the animal’s condition.…”