Gancz Ady Y, Wellehan James F X, Boutette James, Malka Shachar, Lee Shannon E, Smith Dale A, Taylor Michael
Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
Avian Pathol. 2007 Aug;36(4):331-6. doi: 10.1080/03079450701466093.
Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in a 5-year-old male chestnut-fronted macaw (Ara severa) and an 8-year-old female Military macaw (Ara militaris) based on persistent hyperglycaemia and glucosuria. Hepatic biopsies showed marked hepatic haemosiderosis, while pancreatic biopsies showed no inflammatory lesions. Repeatable and titratable responses to bovine or porcine protamine zinc insulin were recorded in both patients, who were followed up for more than 2 years. In addition, iron-elimination therapy was initiated by chelation or phlebotomy, and the birds' diet was changed to low-iron content pellets. Both birds responded favourably to this therapy, showing a decreased demand for extrinsic insulin. Follow-up biopsies demonstrated marked reduction in hepatic haemosiderin. Plasma fructosamine and beta-hydroxybutyric acid levels were measured periodically in both birds and compared with euglycaemic psittacines. Both tests appeared useful for monitoring treatment success. The potential association between diabetes mellitus and excessive iron storage in birds should be further investigated.
一只5岁的雄性栗额金刚鹦鹉（Ara severa）和一只8岁的雌性军金刚鹦鹉（Ara militaris）因持续性高血糖和糖尿被诊断为糖尿病。肝脏活检显示明显的肝脏含铁血黄素沉着症，而胰腺活检未发现炎症病变。两名患者对牛或猪精蛋白锌胰岛素均有可重复和可滴定的反应，并进行了2年多的随访。此外，通过螯合或放血开始进行铁清除治疗，并将鸟类的饮食改为低铁含量的颗粒饲料。两只鸟对这种治疗反应良好，对外源性胰岛素的需求减少。随访活检显示肝脏含铁血黄素明显减少。定期测量两只鸟的血浆果糖胺和β-羟基丁酸水平，并与血糖正常的鹦鹉进行比较。这两项测试似乎都有助于监测治疗效果。鸟类糖尿病与铁储存过多之间的潜在关联应进一步研究。
