Avian

Avian Species!

• Pets vs Zoo vs Wildlife

Anatomy/Physiology

• Integument

Uropygeal GlandMoltingBlood FeathersFeather Picking

Musculoskeletal

• Pnuematic Bones

• Keel

Respiratory Tract

• Upper– Beak/nares/choana– Syrinx– Trachea

• Lower– Lack of diaphram– Lungs – No alveoli– Air Sacs

Digestive Tract

• Beak• Crop

– Enlargement of esophagus– Tube feeding

• Proventriculus– Equivalent to mammal stomach

• Ventriculus– Grinds– Need Grit

• Meckel’s Diverticulum

Urinary TractReproductive Tract

• No Bladder• Urates/Uric Acid Production

• Internal Organs – female left ovary

• Cloaca– Egg Binding

Animal Care(husbandry)

• Species differences• Temperature/ Draft• Caged vs Free Flight• Perches

Nutrition

• Super size me?– Hypovitaminosis A– Overgrown Beak– Yeast Infection

• Species specific– Nutriberries, Zupreem, Exact

• Diet Change

Restraint

• When NOT to restrain• Weapons?• Wings• Towel• Elizabethan grip• Restraint board• Speculums

Venipuncture“The 10% Rule”

• Blood Volume = 10% body weight– 10% can be safely taken

• Sites– Right Jugular or Ulnar Vein

• Equipment– 1 or 3 cc syringe w/ 23-25g needle– Microtainer EDTA or Li Heparin

Anesthesia

• Inhalant Anesthesia!!– ISOFLURANE– vs SEVOFLURANE

• Entubation– Tracheal rings

• Temp. Regulation• Keep it short!

Parasitology

• Lice = Walking Dandruff

• Scaly Mite• Protozoa / Coccidia

Vet Med Nursing

• Physical Exam– Oral– Breast Muscle (IM Injections)

• Bloodwork (where?)– Granulocytes

• Heterophils

– NRBC’s• Fluids

– IV, SQ or Intraosseous

Viral Diseases

• Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease (PBFD)– Feather Dystrophy, Beak Necrosis– No treatment

• Polyoma Virus– Failure to thrive (young birds)– Vaccine

• Pacheco’s Disease– Herpes Virus – Sudden death

Yeast/ Fungal Infection

• Candidiasis– GI Signs

• Aspergillosis– Respiratory Signs

Non Infectious Diseases

• Lead– Paints, fishing weights, blinds, jewelry

• Teflon Fumes– PTFE high heat from pans

• Trauma– Dog/cat bites; Ceiling fans, windows