Outbreak of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease in Cockatoos

Abstract

Three lesser sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua sulphurea) with systemic feather abnormality were examined for clinical signs and histopathology. The feathers were widely lost, discolored and dystrophied with deposition of black pigment. There were some decrease in quantity of fine feather powders as well as overgrowth of the beak and nails. Histopathologically, necrobiosis of the feather epithelium and exudative or occasionally granulomatous folliculitis were noticed. Intranuclear inclusions were formed within feather epithelial cells, and intracytoplasmic inclusions were within macrophages in the feather epithelium and the feather pulp. The cases were diagnosed as psittacine beak and feather disease. Oral administration of propagermanium was temporarily effective.