Prognostic accuracy of the proventriculus: keel ratio for short-term survival in psittacines with proventricular disease.

The proventriculus:keel ratio was evaluated as a prognostic indicator for short-term survival in parrots with proventricular disease. Measurements were made from right lateral radiographs of 41 parrots with proventricular disease. Results were compared with the previously described abnormal proventriculus:keel ratio range and to short-term clinical outcome at 1-month postdiagnosis. The ratio in all parrots was > 0.52, and 39% of parrots succumbed to their disease within 1 month of diagnosis. There was no significant association between the proventriculus:keel ratio and survival duration (P = 0.9). The proventriculus:keel ratio is a sensitive indicator of proventricular disease in parrots but is insensitive as a prognostic indicator.