Proventricular Dilation Disease
Proventricular Dilation Syndrome (PDS) commonly known as Macaw Wasting Disease is a devastating disease of mostly young parrots. The proventriculus is the chamber of the digestive tract just in front of the ventriculus (gizzard). When it dilates there is an inability of the stomach to digest food and becomes a place for food to rot, sometimes resulting in bacterial infections that can be fatal. It can be a problem in any parrot, but is found most commonly in macaws and cockatoos.
Cause
A virus is the most likely cause.
Symptoms
Birds that have this problem are weak, have lost weight, and can have difficulty
perching. Many of them will regurgitate and pass undigested seeds in their
droppings. Regurgitation of a mucous like fluid is one of the classic signs
of PDS. There might be seeds adhered to the mouth and feathers around the
face.
Diagnosis
Young cockatoos and macaws that have symptoms of this disease warrant further
diagnostic tests. Other diseases can mimic PDS, so it is important to follow
a thorough diagnostic process.
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