Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is a progressive, ultimately fatal neurological disease in conures and other parrots caused by avian bornavirus (ABV). It affects the nerves supplying the GI tract and causes chronic weight loss, regurgitation, and passing of undigested food. There is no cure, but antiviral and anti-inflammatory treatment can extend quality of life.
Last reviewed: June 2026
What Is Proventricular Dilatation Disease in Conures?
Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), also called parrot wasting disease or macaw wasting syndrome, is caused by avian bornavirus (ABV) — a neurotropic virus that infects and destroys the ganglionic nerve cells of the autonomic nervous system supplying the gastrointestinal tract. Without proper nerve function, the proventriculus (the bird's equivalent of a stomach) dilates and cannot move ingesta forward, leading to malnutrition despite continued eating. As described in Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, PDD affects a wide range of psittacine species including conures, macaws, African greys, cockatoos, and cockatiels. The AAV Basic Care for Companion Birds, 2019 notes that the disease follows an unpredictable course — some birds remain stable for years while others deteriorate rapidly. Transmission is thought to occur through fecal-oral and respiratory routes; infected birds may shed virus intermittently.
Signs of PDD in Conures
Signs are often insidious, progressing over months:
- Chronic weight loss — the most consistent sign; the keel bone becomes increasingly prominent despite the bird continuing to eat
- Regurgitation — repeated regurgitation of undigested seed or food shortly after eating
- Passing undigested food in droppings — whole seeds visible in feces (undigested food = hypomot sign)
- Increased appetite — eating more than usual due to malabsorption
- Neurological signs — ataxia, seizures, tremors, falling from the perch (as ABV spreads to the CNS and spinal cord)
- Crop distension — the crop remains full for abnormally long periods
- Depression and feather condition decline — general deterioration
Neurological form (without GI signs) is an important variant — conures with PDD may present with seizures or ataxia alone, with no GI involvement.
Diagnosis
PDD diagnosis has historically been challenging. Current diagnostic approach:
- Avian bornavirus PCR (cloacal swab or blood) — detects viral shedding; high specificity, intermittent false negatives; cost $60–120
- ABV antibody titer — indicates exposure; not diagnostic alone; cost $60–120
- Radiographs / fluoroscopy — reveals proventricular dilation; cost $150–300
- Crop or proventricular biopsy — histopathology showing lymphoplasmacytic ganglioneuritis is the gold standard but invasive; cost $300–800
- Full blood panel — nutritional and metabolic assessment; cost $100–200
Treatment
There is no cure. Management aims to slow progression and improve quality of life:
- Celecoxib (COX-2 inhibitor anti-inflammatory) — the most established treatment; reduces inflammatory damage to ganglionic neurons; dosing per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary; cost $30–80/month
- Meloxicam — NSAID alternative with some supportive evidence
- Dietary modification — soft, easily digestible foods (cooked grains, mashed vegetables, pellet mash) to reduce GI workload; frequent small meals; avoid large hard seeds
- Antiviral research — ribavirin and amantadine have limited evidence; not standard practice
- Supportive nutrition — hand-feeding critical care formula if the bird cannot maintain weight independently
When to See a Vet
Call your vet today if:
- Your conure is losing weight despite eating normally
- You notice whole undigested seeds in the droppings
- Regurgitation occurs repeatedly (not just occasional normal regurgitation between bonded birds)
- Your bird's keel bone feels sharp or prominently bony
Go to the ER immediately if:
- Your conure has a seizure, loses balance, or cannot perch
- The bird is extremely weak, sitting on the cage floor, or unresponsive
- Breathing is labored with tail bobbing
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is PDD contagious between parrots? Yes — avian bornavirus is shed in feces and possibly in feather dust and secretions. Infected birds can transmit the virus to other psittacines through direct contact or contaminated cage surfaces. New birds should be quarantined for at least 30–60 days and ABV tested before introduction to an existing flock.
How long can a conure live with PDD? Highly variable. Some birds stabilize on celecoxib and dietary management for 2–5+ years with good quality of life. Others deteriorate rapidly within months. Neurological disease tends to progress faster than pure GI disease. Regular weight monitoring helps detect early deterioration.
Can PDD be cured in parrots? No cure exists. Avian bornavirus is a persistent infection that the immune system cannot clear. Management with anti-inflammatory medications reduces the rate of nerve damage and extends functional quality of life but does not eliminate the virus.
What does PDD treatment cost in conures? Avian vet exam: $75–150. ABV PCR testing: $60–120. Radiographs: $150–300. Celecoxib medication: $30–80/month. Dietary supplements and critical care formula: $20–60/month. Annual monitoring: $200–400. Total first-year cost: $600–1,500. Biopsy if pursued: $300–800 additional.
How do I prevent PDD in my conure? Quarantine all new birds for 30–60 days and test with ABV PCR before contact with existing birds. Practice good hygiene — hand-wash after handling birds, use separate cage equipment for each bird. There is no vaccine currently available. Purchase birds from reputable breeders who test breeding stock.
Still Not Sure if Your Conure Needs a Vet?
When you're not sure if this is wait-and-see or call-tonight, Voyage AI Vet triages in under 2 minutes. Describe what you're seeing in chat, share photos of your conure's droppings and body condition (keel bone visibility), or hop on a live video call if you want a second pair of eyes. Every answer comes with citations to the actual veterinary literature it's pulling from — so you see exactly where the guidance comes from, not just a chatbot's word.