Air Sacculitis

Introduction

Air sacculitis is a common condition in the bird

Signalment

Any bird may suffer from air sacculitis. The air sacs are extremely prone to both infection and inflammation due to their anatomy. Infection can be bacterial or fungal (asperigillosis or granulomas)

Clinical Signs

The bird may present with mild levels of respiratory distress and feather plucking. Solid abscesses often develop in the body's attempt to wall of the infection.

Diagnosis

Endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis. This should be followed with culture and sensitivity of samples obtained by endoscopy. Radiography can also be used to demonstrate consolidation of the lungs and soft tissue opacity in the air sacs.

Treatment

Solid abscesses in the air sacs can be removed easily by endoscopy. They should simply be pulled off, and the wound will repair. The birds should also be treated with antibiotics administered by nebulisation as it is a stress-free and effective method for drug delivery. The droplets produced by the nebuliser should be less than 5 microns or the air sacs will not be penetrated.

Prognosis

Prognosis is good. Although the condition is painful, mild cases rarely show any ill effects greater than feather-plucking.

References

Forbes NA & Altman RB (1998) Self-Assessment Colour Review Avian Medicine Manson Publishing Ltd

Stanford, M (2009) Respiratory Disease in Birds Royal Veterinary College Integrated Course RVC