Unusual Lesions of Atherosclerosis in Psittacines

Atherosclerosis in psittacines is commonly associated with lesions in the greater vessels of the heart. Unusual or atypical lesions of atherosclerosis manifest in the nongreater vessels of the heart that include coronary arteries, thoracic and abdominal aorta, carotid arteries, and medium-sized vessels in various organs. Occasionally, atherosclerosis is also observed in glomeruli and feather follicles, leading to uncommon sequelae. The most prominent and unusual atherosclerosis lesions, which have not been well described in psittacines, are severe atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, resulting in myocardial degeneration, necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis, myocardial infarction, and sudden death. Information regarding clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognostic indicators of atherosclerosis in avian patients is pertinent in treating and offering clients the best treatment plan. A detailed description of this disease by bird species, age, sex, clinical signs, and gross and histopathological findings are presented in this article.