Cutaneous disorders in captive psittacines, a retrospective study of 1454 cases at a university veterinary teaching hospital (1988-2021).

Abstract

Background: Psittacines (parrots and their allies) are kept under human care as companion animals, live exhibit specimens in zoological institutions and occasionally as research subjects. Cutaneous disorders such as feather destructive behaviour (FDB) and pododermatitis are commonly noted in clinical reviews, case reports and text book chapters.

Hypothesis/objectives: To document the type, signalment associations and prevalence of cutaneous disorders in a large number of captive psittacines in an academic referral teaching hospital population.

Animals: Case population at a university veterinary teaching hospital.

Methods and materials: Retrospective study using computerised medical records of birds (psittacine and non-psittacine) examined between 1 January 1988 and 31 December 2021. Inclusion criteria were records of psittacines with dermatological diagnoses.

Results: Of 3472 psittacines, 1454 (41.9%) had cutaneous disease. Age was strongly associated with an increased risk of cutaneous diseases. The most common cutaneous disorders were pododermatitis (n = 729) and FDB (n = 528). Female sex and increased age were associated with significantly higher odds of FDB, as were the genera Cacatua (cockatoos), Psittacus (African grey parrots), Ara (macaws) and Agapornis (lovebirds). Increased age and the genus Agapornis also were associated with significantly higher odds of pododermatitis. The most common infectious disease was mite (presumed Knemidocoptes) infestation, almost exclusively seen in budgerigars; increased age was associated with significantly lower odds of having mites.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Pododermatitis and FDB were the most common cutaneous disorders in psittacines. As 50% of psittacines with skin disease presented for nonskin concerns, clinicians should perform a dermatological examination regardless of the reason for presentation.