Chronic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis in Amazon parrots

In the Netherlands, a syndrome affecting several species of older Amazon pa rrots (Amazona sp.) has been described. This syndrome was characterized as a chronic respiratory disease resulting in exercise intolerance. Pathologic al examination revealed loss of functional lung tissue, pulmonary interstit ial fibrosis, and right heart failure. Haematology revealed an elevated pac ked cell volume as a result of an increase in erythrocyte size and an incre ased haemoglobin mass per erythrocyte. In two patients, hypoxia and hyperca pnia were demonstrated. The aetiology of this syndrome is currently not kno wn. The microscopic lesions resemble those found in Diffuse Interstitial Fi brosis in humans.