Aspergillosis in a Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis)
Abbie, an adult Moluccan Cockatoo, presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals on July 2, 2007 with a two week history of voice change, a one week history of audible wheezing, and a two day history of anorexia. One week prior to presentation, the patient was brought to the referring veterinarian and was treated for presumptive aspergillosis. At the time of presentation to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, the available laboratory results demonstrated an unremarkable complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel, and negative chlamydial titers (<10). Upon presentation to Cornell, Abbie was quiet, alert, and responsive. Abbie was dyspneic, open mouth breathing, with pronounced audible wheezing. After oxygen cage stabilization, the patient was placed under general anesthesia and blood was drawn revealing a mild heterophilia, lymphopenia, monocytosis and mild anemia. Radiographic findings were highly suggestive of a tracheal mass. Tracheal endoscopy was performed, demonstrating a white mass occluding most of the trachea at the level of the syrinx. Approximately 80-90% of the mass was debulked. The aerobic culture from the mass did not yield any organisms, however in-house cytology demonstrated organisms consistent with Aspergillus. Aspergillosis is the most common fungal respiratory disease of birds and is caused by Aspergillus, a ubiquitous soil saprophyte. Transmission occurs most commonly when airborne spores are inhaled. Immunosuppression or exposure to a vast numbers of spores predisposes birds to this disease. This presentation provides an introduction to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of avian aspergillosis in the context of Abbie's case.