Avian Lecture The Bird Class - Aves. Passerine –three toes forward, one back (more than half bird species) – the most fragile Psittacine –two toes forward,

Avian Lecture

The Bird

Class - Aves

• Passerine– three toes forward, one back (more than half bird species) – the

most fragile

• Psittacine– two toes forward, two back, hookbill – the “parrots” (most pet birds

seen in clinics

• Galliforme• ground nesters- chickens, turkeys, quail, pheasants

kept as “pet”

• Raptor

Terminology

• Hens

• Roosters/males

• Chicks

TPR’s

• Vary greatly!!• Hummingbird pulse as high as 1200 bpm,

turkey down to 7 bpm• Easily overheated but must be kept warm

when young or ill --- NO DRAFTS!• Most psittacines are 102- 104 degrees• Panting/open mouth breathing is bad sign of

stress• Body condition & posture

Gross Anatomy

Avian Anatomy

• Breathing- air sacs, no diaphragm

• Digestive- use of crop– Proventriculus- This is an enlargement in the digestive canal between

the crop and the gizzard.

– Ventriculus-

• Elimination/feces- droppings are feces, solid urates, and urine together

Care of Young

• Eggs are brooded by adults- number of days varies

• Need proper temperature

• Turning • Altricial- (naked and blind and

dependent on parents for food) vs Precocial (covered with down and having eyes open; capable of leaving the nest within a few days)

Husbandry

• The major factor in health issues

• Very dependent on species

• Cleanliness essential

• Cage size and shape

• Requires perches of differing sizes

• No isolation- social creatures

What’s good for my bird?

1.Chocolate – vomiting and diarrhea, cardiac malfunction

2. Apple Seeds-skin with pesticides and seeds are toxic

3. Avocado- skin in known to cause cardiac problems and heart failure

4. Onions- blood abnormalities

5. Alcohol- depression leading to organ failure

6. Mushrooms- digestive upset

7. Tomato Leaves- leaves, stems, and vines are toxic

8. Salt- hypernatremia, kidney failure 9. Caffeine-cardiac malfunction

10. Dried Beans- . Uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin which is very toxic to birds.

Behavior

• No cages over human head level/dominance issues

• Social Flock Animals

• Isolation is not recommended. If necessary try to provide visual enrichment

Restraint

• Empty cage

• Close doors and windows

• Close drapes and watch mirrors

• Restrain wing movement

• Mandibles from behind head

• E collars

• Restraint boards, masking tape

• Inhalant anesthetics

• Small passerines- soft, thin cloth, nets, mist nets

• Psittacines- firmer, towels, may be trained

• Raptors- experience- gloves, jesses, hoods, towels

• Gallinacious- nets & hooks,

Restraint

Common Procedures

• Beak and nail trims

• Wing clips

• Oral exams- require speculum

• Cloacal swabs

• Blood draws-

Medical Attention

• Unusual droppings• Ruffled feathers• Cere-redness or runny• Eyes- cloudy or discharge• Reduced appetite• Open mouth breathing• Dirty feathers• Weight loss• Tail bobbing• Change in vocalization

Injections

• IM • SQ- - inguinal, lumbar, patagium (wing). The use of subcutaneous

fluids is the most common technique and is very successful unless rapid fluid delivery is required

• IV-The most commonly used sites for blood collection in birds include:

• the jugular veins (largest on the right)

• cutaneous ulnar veins- basilic vein

• tibiotarsal/metatarsal veins

Diagnostics

• Anesthetizing• Palpations• Blood work• Radiographs

Treatments

• Stabilizing fractures• Removing bound egg• Gavage feeding• Acupuncture

Routine Care

• Microchip• Beak, wing and nail

trims

Zoonotic diseases

• Psittacosis/Chlymydiosis http://www.vin.com/mainpub/psittacosis/

• West Nile• Salmonellosis• EEE• Avian TB• Histoplasmosis• Cryptococcosis• Cryptosporidiosis

Client EDUCATION

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