Transcutaneous Ultrasonography of the Avian Urogenital Tract
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1999 |
Authors: |
H. Hofbauer, M. Krautwald-Junghanns |
Publication/Journal: |
Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound |
Keywords: |
anatomy, birds, pathological changes, transcutaneous ultrasonography, urogenital tract |
ISBN: |
1740-8261 |
Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to provide a survey of the diagnostic use of transcutaneous sonographic
examination of the urogenital tract of pet birds. Possibilities and limitations in imaging normal and
altered components of this organ system are discussed. Ultrasonographic examination of the avian
urogenital tract was evaluated in 386 pet birds. Abnormal clinical signs were present in 289 birds; 97
birds were normal. Transcutaneous ultrasonography proved to be a useful, noninvasive, and fast
diagnostic tool, especially in imaging laminated eggs and changes of the oviduct. Until now, these
pathologic changes were not diagnosable in birds with other common noninvasive methods (e.g. radi-
ography). The imaging of low-grade changes of the oviduct, disorders of the kidney without enlarge-
ment of the organ, as well as roughening of the egg shell proved to be difficult. Sonographic imaging of
neither the normal kidney nor the inactive gonads was possible