MITRAL REGURGITATION IN SADDLE-BILLED STORKS ( EPHIPPIORHYNCHUS SENEGALENSIS ) IN HUMAN CARE: DIAGNOSIS, ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS, AND MANAGEMENT.

The asymptomatic and slow progressive nature of cardiopathies represents a risk to the welfare of avian species in human care. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in birds pose a challenge due to unique anatomic and physiologic characteristics. Comprehensive cardiac assessments with diagnostic tools such as echocardiography, color-Doppler, the biomarker cardiac troponin I (cTn1), and cholesterol serum concentrations have been utilized in different bird species with varying success. Saddle-billed storks ( Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis ) have been maintained in human care for over 80 yrs and several institutions have noted heart murmurs and cardiomegaly. Despite these findings, peer-reviewed literature describing cardiopathies is lacking for this species. This case series documents the identification of mitral valve regurgitation in saddle-billed storks in a breeding center. Transcoelomic echocardiography using a ventromedial approach with a two-chambered view and color Doppler was utilized. Echocardiographic measurements were taken and compared 1 yr later in most of the birds. There was left atrial enlargement and worsened mitral regurgitation in one geriatric patient, and no progression of the disease in two young birds. Serum samples showed that cTn1 had different concentrations depending on the severity of the disease, whereas cholesterol was within reference range for all birds. Treatment with digoxin and pimobendan was recommended in one bird, serum concentrations of digoxin were tested in a 6-mon span, results were within therapeutic range, and there were no overt adverse effects. There was a suspected genetic component in this population, as four of the five birds with confirmed mitral regurgitation were related.