Clinical diagnosis of aneurysm of the right coronary artery in a white cockatoo (Cacatua alba)

• Published in: Journal of small animal practice Vol. 39; no. 11; pp. 533 - 537
• Main Authors: Vink‐Nooteboom, M., Schoemaker, N. J., Kik, M. J. L., Lumeu, J. T., Wolvekamp, W. Th. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.1998
• Subjects: Angiography - veterinary; Animals; Arteriosclerosis - complications; Arteriosclerosis - veterinary; Bird Diseases - diagnosis; Bird Diseases - pathology; Coronary Aneurysm - diagnosis; Coronary Aneurysm - etiology; Coronary Aneurysm - veterinary; Coronary Vessels - pathology; Diagnosis, Differential; Psittaciformes
• ISSN: 0022-4510; 1748-5827
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1998.tb03700.x

A 16‐year‐old male white cockatoo was presented with lethargy and a decreased appetite. Auscultation between the second and third sternal rib revealed a heart murmur, which was confirmed by electrocardiographic and phonocardiographic examination to be systolic, with a shift of the heart axis to ‐152°. Radiographs showed lack of detail in the cranial part of the abdominal coelom, indicative of ascites and an enlarged cardiac shadow, while ultrasonographic examination revealed pericardial effusion and fluid accumulation in the cavitas peritonealis hepatica. An extra fluid‐filled cavity was found at the atrioventricular junction in the right cardiac wall and colour Doppler examination demonstrated a turbulent jetstream of blood into the cavity, originating directly above the aortic valve. Non‐selective angiocardiography confirmed the ultrasonographic observations. Findings were indicative of an aneurysm of the a. coronaria dextra (right coronary artery). This was confirmed by necropsy which revealed atherosclerosis to be the underlying cause.