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Pet Bird Preventative Health
Management
Americans are accustomed to
taking the family dog or cat to the veterinarian for an annual check-up, but
frequently underlook or underestimate the need for routine health care in their
pet and aviary birds. It is particularly important for birds to have regular
examinations, because birds tend to have very subtle symptoms of disease.
This will outline some of the key considerations pertinent to routine
preventative avian health care that we strongly endorse. We hope this
information can help aid you to become a more aware and informed pet bird owner,
which will result in healthier patients for us, too.
QUARANTINE
Quarantining new birds to your home or aviary is perhaps the one most
important thing to remember to do. In order to protect your other birds that are
in your home or aviary from infectious disease, we strongly advise that all
newly acquired birds be maintained separately for a period of at least six weeks
following purchase. Because many air-borne viruses may be spread from room to
room by central air conditioning or heating systems, an off-premise location is
ideal, but may not necessarily be required. Quarantine is essential for all new
birds, even those that are believed to be "healthy" based on physical
appearance and behavior.
THE
NEW BIRD EXAMINATION
The second most valuable step for
a new bird owner is to establish a relationship with an avian veterinarian,
preferably one who is experienced and familiar with the species you have. Those
bird owners that already have established a good working relationship should
utilize the new bird examination to confirm the underlying health of their new
bird is adequate for entry to the existing collection. Single bird households
will simply establish that their new acquisition is as healthy as we all want to
believe. The goal of the physical examination is to establish that there are no
identifiable abnormalities in your bird and that there is laboratory
confirmation of physical health. In addition, it is particularly advantageous to
review behavior, nutrition, caging and other husbandry-related points that can
influence the health and well being of your bird, as well as the quality
of your relationship with it. The relative risk if underlying medical problems
in a lab screened and properly examined pet bird is much lower than that of an
assumed healthy bird. The importance of such a quality start with a newly
acquired bird is of immense impact.
COMPONENTS
OF THE EXAM
History:
We will be very interested in what you know about the background of your
bird--it's age, sex, origin, length of time in the household, diet, caging. Even
if the bird has been a household pet for a long time, we will want to be aware
of any contact, direct or indirect with other birds.
Physical
Evaluation:
From an initial, critical observation of the bird in the cage, we expect
to be able to determine general body conformation (obesity, tumors), posture,
attitude and character of respiration. Although many internal problems may not
be evident from a step-by-step, hands-on examination, an experienced avian
veterinarian will be able to note abnormalities in the feathers, skin, beak,
eyes, ears, cere, nares, oral cavity, bones, muscles, abdomen and vent.
Weight:
Once a bird has become an adult, the weight should remain relatively
constant. Checking the weight occasionally, especially at the annual
examination, will give valuable information about your bird's health. A bird's
weight should be measured in grams, not ounces, in order to detect small
increments of change.
LABORATORY
TESTING PROCEDURES
Depending on the bird's history,
results of physical examination, species, age and general condition, we may
suggest some of the following diagnostic techniques that will assist in
evaluating your bird's health.
Appraisal
of Droppings
: The appearance of the dropping--volume, color and composition--may help us
generally assess the bird's health and consider certain disease conditions. Most
birds are nervous in the exam room, so their droppings may be abnormally loose
there. A fecal sample may be examined microscopically to determine the presence
of internal parasites.
Chlamydia
Screening:
Several screening tests are available for the detection of Chlamydia, the
causative organism of psittacosis or parrot fever. These tests are usually
specifically applied where disease is suspected, and not routinely included as a
part of our physical examination on newly acquired birds. Chlamydia screening
can be an important part of the avian physical examination, because Chlamydia
may be transmitted from birds to humans.
Blood
Tests:
A blood sample should be taken during any routine avian medical
examination to determine the amount and distribution of white and red blood
cells. This vital information may suggest the possibility of certain diseases,
and further tests may be indicated for confirmation. A series of chemistry tests may
be performed on the blood sample, may point to imbalances in biochemical
functions and suggest the possibility of organ dysfunction. These types of
panels are usually performed where a specific diagnosis of a disease process is
desired, and are not a routine part of the healthy bird examination in our
hospital.
Microbiology:
We will recommend a screening culture of the choana (throat) and cloaca
(vent) as a part of the routine physical examination. The presence of abnormal
bacteria or fungi is particularly telling of the underlying health status of
your bird.
Radiographs:
X-rays may be used when specific disease processes are suspected to
assess the internal condition of your bird. The presence of old or new
fractures, the size and relative relationship of internal organs, the presence
of foreign bodies or soft tissue masses such as tumors, and the condition of
lungs and air sacs are often evaluated with radiographs. The use of anesthesia
may be necessary to produce quality X-rays
Cytology:
With the use of special stains, we may recommend the evaluation of smears
from tissues or body fluids to assist us in making a diagnosis when a disease
process is suspected.
Virus
Screening:
Some relatively new tests are now available for screening for Psittacine
Beak and Feather Virus (blood test) and Polyomavirus (cloacal swab). These may
be recommended in your circumstance where species, age or susceptibilities are
such that this information may be of particular value to you.
IDENTIFICATION
If your bird(s) lacks proper
identification bands or microchips, we will strongly recommend that you consider
microchip implantation during your visit to allow for permanent and irremovable
proof of your ownership. Cost of microchipping is comparatively low, and the
potential benefit to you should your bird be lost or stolen is immeasurable.
THE
ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Because owners may often be unaware of early symptoms in the beginning
stages of disease in birds, we strongly endorse the use of the annual physical
examination. Physical evaluation of your bird may reveal abnormalities that have
developed over the past year. Usually, we will recommend repeating screening
laboratory data every other year, as long as all is fine at home. Behavior and
appropriate behavior modification is a particularly important area of common
focus at the annual examination. We will send you reminders when your annual
examination is due for your pet bird. For those of you that are breeding birds,
we will also want to review your aviary performance records and productivity to
assure that subclinical problems are not present in the flock or in individual
pairs.
GROOMING
Routine grooming (wing and nail trims) is usually done between two to
three times each year.
Information
Provided by:
Brian
L.
Speer
,
DVM, DIP, ABVP, ECAMS
Certified
in Avian Practice
European-Certified
Avian Specialist
The
Medical
Center
For Birds
3807
Main Street
Oakley
,
CA
94561
Phone:
925-625-1878
Fax:
925-625-8511
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