Page 5 - RVC Clinical Connections - Spring 2025
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Exotics Case Studies
THE EXOTICS CLINIC AT THE QMHA
Joanna Hedley (Senior Lecturer in Exotic Species and Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery) and Vicki
Baldrey (Senior Lecturer in Exotic Species and Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery)
he Exotics Service is primarily based limited in chelonian species but no obvious
at RVC鈥檚 Beaumont Sainsbury respiratory noise or effort was noted. CT
T Animal Hospital but the team also was recommended for further investigation,
provides a weekly clinic at the Queen and this was performed the same day. CT is
Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA). an invaluable diagnostic tool in chelonians,
The clinic allows collaboration with where the shell limits what can be visualised
specialists across other disciplines and with traditional radiography.
enables patients to benefit from advanced In George鈥檚 case, CT revealed
diagnostic imaging modalities. This significantly abnormal lung parenchyma.
combination of transdisciplinary expertise On the left side, the airways appeared
and cutting-edge medical technology has expanded and emphysematous. The
been of great value to a broad range of remaining lung parenchyma had an uneven
species. attenuation, suggestive of pulmonary
An Amazon parrot with cardiac disease Rodney鈥檚 echocardiogram fibrosis. In contrast, on the right side the
and a yellow-bellied slider with a complex Biochemistry showed a mildly elevated lung was replaced with a cavitated gas-filled
pulmonary problem both recently attended cholesterol, which further supported the structure, suspected to represent an end-
the clinic. concern for peripheral arterial disease. stage emphysematous lung or changes
Rodney鈥檚 diet consisted predominantly of secondary to chronic pneumonia. The
Rodney, the orange-winged Amazon seed, and his owners reported he loved changes are likely permanent but further
parrot human foods, especially less healthy investigations, such as endoscopy, can be
Rodney came to see the Exotics Service options, a common inclination of Amazon helpful in some cases to ascertain if there
with a history of falling over, clenching parrots. is active disease that treatment could help.
and unclenching his feet and appearing Treatment was started with pentoxifylline
uncomfortable. His owners reported and enalapril, alongside supplementation George's scan
lethargy, and he had stopped playing with with omega-3 fatty acids and an altered diet.
his toys. Rodney鈥檚 exact age was unknown, Echocardiography was scheduled with
but he had been with the family for 30 years. the Cardiology Service at the QMHA two
Amazon parrots can live for over 50 years weeks later. By this time, Rodney鈥檚 owner
in captivity, so Rodney was at least middle- reported a significant improvement in his
aged in parrot terms. activity levels and no further foot clenching,
Following Rodney鈥檚 initial assessment, which we suspect had been related to
further investigations were performed by claudication, due to reduced blood flow to
our avian specialist (Dr Vicki Baldrey). his legs.
These included bloods and radiographs, The team echocardiogram was performed
obtained under a brief gaseous anaesthetic. without sedation and thankfully it revealed
The radiographs showed increased opacity good cardiac function with no evidence of
of the great vessels of the heart and a cardiomyopathy. Treatment is continuing
tortuous appearance to the aorta, consistent with the vasodilators and dietary changes Multiple round structures were also
with atherosclerosis 鈥� which is seen quite and Rodney continues to do well. visualised within George鈥檚 coelomic cavity,
commonly in older parrots. consistent with ovarian follicles. While these
George, the yellow-bellied slider were not currently of a size or number to
George was presented to the Exotics be causing a problem, George is at risk
Service for assessment and treatment of of follicular stasis in future if they do not
chronic abnormal buoyancy. Her owners progress (either to ovulate and form eggs or
reported that she had been swimming at to regress and be resorbed).
an angle tilted to the right side since they Changes to her feeding regime and
obtained her two years before but were adaptations to her enclosure were
concerned that her signs were worsening. recommended in view of her compromised
She could still climb out of the water to bask lungs so that she could easily access
and was spending most of her time on dry a nesting site and follow up imaging is
land. planned to track the follicles and identify any
George was bright and alert on problems at an early stage.
examination and moved around the
consult room normally. However videos For the RVC Exotics and Small Mammals
of her swimming behaviour at home were Service, please call: 020 7554 3528
Rodney having a heart scan markedly abnormal. Auscultation is always Email:
londonreferrals@rvc.ac.uk
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