Avian Lecture The Bird Class - Aves
Jan 01, 2016
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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