Acute pancreatitis in parrots

Acute pancreatitis was diagnosed in three parrots. Antemortem diagnosis of pancreatitis in the avian patient is rarely documented, and should be suspe cted in birds showing clinical signs attributable to abdominal pain or gast ro-intestinal dysfunction. However, not all birds with confirmed pancreatit is display these signs. A serum amylase level greater than 1,500 U/L is sug gestive of pancreatitis and pancreatic biopsy can be used to confirm a diag nosis. The aetiology of acute pancreatitis in parrots is discussed and a su ggested treatment protocol is described.