Proventricular Dilatation Disease

The Drüsenmagendilatation ( Syn: Neurogenic or Neuropathic Drüsenmagendilatation, Myogenic Ganglioneuritis, Macaw Wasting Disease, Psittacine Proventricular dilatation, PPD ) is a serious disease of the nervous system in large parrots that accompanied the glandular stomach and severe weight loss with a strong enlargement ( dilatation). The disease is not curable.

Etiology and pathogenesis

The cause of PPD is unknown as yet. It is believed that a hitherto unidentified virus causing the disease, as the disease spreads rapidly in stocks and bacteria and fungi could be excluded as potential pathogens with high security. The incubation period is usually 3 months, but can take several years.

The pathogen causes inflammation and degeneration of the nerves. This is usually first the autonomic nervous system of the digestive system concerned, which controls the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. Since the glandular stomach has a relatively thin wall, it comes here as a rule most likely to dilatation. However, other classes such as the gizzard or crop may be affected. In advanced cases, disorders of the central nervous system may occur with convulsions and loss of coordination.

Clinical picture

The clinical picture is nonspecific. The animals become emaciated and show a general weakness, although feed intake is not reduced but is often even increased. An initial suspicions are undigested grains in the feces. Any failures in crop emptying regurgitation may occur.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis

The diagnosis can be made with any certainty at x-ray image and after the process of elimination. In the X-ray image is an advanced, thin-walled glandular stomach ( crista sterni ) constitutes For diagnosis, the quotient of the vertical diameter of the glandular stomach in the level of the last thoracic vertebra and the maximum height of the chest when the comb can be determined. This is in pathologically enlarged glandular stomach bigger 0.52. A confirmation of the diagnosis can be made by taking a piece of the wall of the bolster and subsequent histopathological examination.

The differential diagnosis must be excluded bacterial and mycotic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. However, it can also occur secondary to stasis of food in the occurrence of such diseases. In addition to parasitic diseases, especially infections with roundworms and tapeworms, are excluded on the basis of faecal samples.

Treatment and prognosis

An effective treatment does not exist and the prognosis is poor. Prolongs life, a reduction of inflammatory changes with celecoxib or meloxicam be attempted. The administration of vitamin B complex is recommended by some authors. For the improvement of crop emptying and the prevention of regurgitation can 20 minutes before the feeding metoclopramide be given on the gastric motility, however, this has little effect in the bird.

For the avoidance of acquisitions should be subjected to a quarantine stocks. A safe protection is not given due to the sometimes long incubation period.