Cataract surgery in birds

Ruth Marrion DVM, PhD, DACVO
Bulger Veterinary Hospital
North Andover MA
Patients
 Quaker parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
 Great Indian Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) – two
 Northern Raven (Corvus corax)
 Redhead duck (Aythya americana) – two
 Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) – two
 African penguin (Spheniscus demersus)
Requirements
 One avian veterinarian
 Sevoflurane or isoflurane
 Phacoemulsification equipment and supplies
 Tiny eyelid speculum
Surgery
 Active nictitans!
 Turn speculum 90 degrees
 Intraocular atracurium 1:10
Surgery
 Practice on turkey heads
 Raymond’s Turkey Farm
 Methuen MA
Surgery
 Clear corneal incision
 Can’t suture sclera!
 Perpendicular to leading edge of nictitans
 Braided suture
Postoperative treatment
 Oral meloxicam one week
 Topical steroids or flurbiprofen BID-TID one week
Aquatic birds
 Out of water three weeks
Postoperative problems
 Irritation to nictitans
 Suture placement – perpendicular to leading edge
 Braided suture
 Resolves when sutures dissolved
Why remove avian cataracts?
 Penguins – secondary uveitis and glaucoma
 Dependence on vision
 Harassment by other birds
Colleagues
 Zoo New England
 Dr. Eric Baitchman
 Dr. Susie Bartlett
 keepers
 New England Aquarium
 Dr. Julie Cavin
 Dr. Charlie Innis
 keepers