Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in an eclectus parrot

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 230; no. 7; pp. 1028 - 1031
• Main Authors: Johnston, M.S, Son, T.T, Rosenthal, K.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2007
• Subjects: Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune - diagnosis; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune - etiology; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune - immunology; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune - veterinary; Animals; bird diseases; Bird Diseases - diagnosis; Bird Diseases - etiology; Bird Diseases - immunology; case studies; cyclosporins; Diagnosis, Differential; disease course; disease diagnosis; drug therapy; Eclectus roratus; Fatal Outcome; Female; females; hemolytic anemia; mortality; ornamental birds; Parrots; primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia; signs and symptoms (animals and humans)
• ISSN: 0003-1488; 1943-569X
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.230.7.1028

A 2-year-old female Solomon Island eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) was evaluated by a veterinarian because of a 4-day history of progressive lethargy, weakness, poor appetite, and inactivity. The bird was referred to a veterinary teaching hospital for further examination. Clinicopathologic analyses revealed that the parrot had marked regenerative anemia, autoagglutination, and biliverdinuria. Small, rounded RBCs (thought to be spherocytes) were detected in blood smears. The abnormal findings met the diagnostic criteria for dogs with primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. However, analyses of blood samples for lead and zinc concentrations and plasma bile acids concentrations; the use of PCR assays for Chlamydophila psittaci, psittacine circovirus 1 (causative agent of beak and feather disease), and polyomavirus; and microbial culture and Gram staining of feces did not reveal a cause for the hemolytic anemia. Although administration of immunosuppressive doses of cyclosporine was initiated, there was a rapid progression of disease, which lead to death of the parrot before this treatment could be continued long-term. Lack of an identifiable underlying disease (confirmed by complete histologic examinations at necropsy) supported the diagnosis of primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia has not been widely reported in psittacine birds. A comprehensive evaluation and complete histologic examination of tissues to rule out underlying disease processes are required to definitively establish a diagnosis of primary immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in parrots. Primary immune-me-diated hemolytic anemia should be considered as a differential diagnosis for regenerative anemia in a parrot.