Got the necropsy back on Pedro..

[Stasia]

Apparently, it turned out to be acute kidney necrosy (don't know if I'm saying that right) that lead to Pedro's death. The vet said it is was a degenerative disease and that there was more than likely nothing we could have done. She said there is a slight chance that it may have been cause by something toxic, but that it probably wasn't. I wish they could say for sure though since I want to know so badly. But it is a least a huge relief that it is nothing that Marley can catch. I still miss him so much

We have been thinking about getting another parrotlet after Christmas, does anyone know if this is a genetic disease? I didn't think to ask the vet when I was on the phone with her. I only ask because if it is, I would want to go through a different breeder this time, but if it's not, I did like that breeder very much.

Stasia

[basketbagley]

Stasia,

I'm so glad it's nothing Marley can catch! can't help you with the other question though. I have no clue about parrolets! thanks for letting us know!

((HUGS))

[yehudasf]

Stasia:

it turned out to be acute kidney necrosy

I think what your Vet meant was acute renal necrosis. This is a process (in birds) seen as a result of such diverse causes as poxvirus, certain aminoglycocides, & d3 toxicity.

[Regina U.]

Originally Posted by yehudasf

Stasia:


I think what your Vet meant was acute renal necrosis. This is a process (in birds) seen as a result of such diverse causes as poxvirus, certain aminoglycocides, & d3 toxicity.

I am so eager to learn about things. Would you mind explaining what those words mean...poxvirus, aminoglycocides, and d3 toxicity, and what causes them? Thank you.

[Stasia]

Yes, please do post more info. if you can Yehuda. Do any of these things mean it IS contagious to my other bird or that it WAS something in his environment? I also have always thought it might not be a coincidence that he died a week after starting his medicines for a bacterial infection. Any more info. at all is greatly appreciated, I feel I really need to understand what happened to him to put this to rest, although I realize I may never get a definitive answer.

Stasia

[yehudasf]

Poxvirus:
Infections with avian poxvirus have been recorded from a variety of wild and pet birds. Some isolates are primarily infectious for only the homologous host, whereas others are infectious for one or more additional species. Classification is usually based on host pathogenicity studies. Canarypox infection is usually severe, and mortality sometimes approaches 100%. Cutaneous lesions may develop, as may systemic infection with cytoplasmic inclusion bodies detected in lesions on histological examination. A commercial canarypox virus vaccine for canaries is available in the USA. Poxvirus infection in psittacines may also be severe, especially in blue-fronted Amazon parrots. Poxviruses isolated from psittacines appear to be unrelated to poxviruses of other avian species.

Aminoglycosides:


Aminoglycosides are potent bactericidal antibiotics that act by creating fissures in the outer membrane of the bacterial cell. They are particularly active against aerobic, gram-negative bacteria and act synergistically against certain gram-positive organisms. Gentamicin is the most commonly used aminoglycoside, but amikacin may be particularly effective against resistant organisms. Aminoglycosides are used in the treatment of severe infections of the abdomen and urinary tract, as well as bacteremia and endocarditis. They are also used for prophylaxis, especially against endocarditis. Resistance is rare but increasing in frequency. Avoiding prolonged use, volume depletion and concomitant administration of other potentially nephrotoxic agents decreases the risk of toxicity. Single daily dosing of aminoglycosides is possible because of their rapid concentration-dependent killing and post-antibiotic effect and has the potential for decreased toxicity. Single daily dosing of aminoglycosides appears to be safe, efficacious and cost effective. In certain clinical situations, such as patients with endocarditis or pediatric patients, traditional multiple dosing is still usually recommended.

The first aminoglycoside, streptomycin, was isolated from Streptomyces griseus in 1943. Neomycin, isolated from Streptomyces fradiae, had better activity than streptomycin against aerobic gram-negative bacilli but, because of its formidable toxicity, could not safely be used systemically. Gentamicin, isolated from Micromonospora in 1963, was a breakthrough in the treatment of gram-negative bacillary infections, including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other aminoglycosides were subsequently developed, including amikacin (Amikin), netilmicin (Netromycin) and tobramycin (Nebcin), which are all currently available for systemic use in the United States.
Amikacin has been implicated in nephron (kidney tubules) damage in psittacines.

D3 toxicity can & does cause calcification of the kidney in parrots.

[Stasia]

Thanks for the information yehuda. Any idea where I might also be able to find some of this information in "lamens terms"? :) Such as where I could find sign and symptoms and causes? I want to be sure this is nothing my tiel was exposed to, and especially since we are going to be bringing another bird into the house around Christmas time. Thanks very much for your help!

Stasia