Avian Flashcards
AV01-07
start of AV01
name 4 problems that feeding seed-only diets to birds can lead to
- obesity
- hypovitaminosis A
- nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
- iodine deficiency
name 3 diseases that obesity predisposes a bird to
- pododermatitis
- arteriosclerosis
- fatty liver
how much Avian Convalescent Formulae should be tube fed to anorexic and sick parrots?
1% of bodyweight
increasing to 3% by third feed
the lack of what 3 things in the diet of a bird can lead to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism?
- calcium
- vitamin D
- UV light
name 3 consequences of vitamin D deficiencies in birds
- poor repro and egg shell quality
- osteodystrophy of juveniles
- clinical hypocalcaemia
what type of bird is at largest risk for iodine deficiency
small psittacines
(mainly budgies)
what does iodine deficiency present as in birds
hypothyroidism and goitre
in a bird with iodine deficieny:
as the thyroid enlarges and compresses the trachea, was will be the consequences?
squeaky voice and dyspnoea
name 4 disadvantages of a homemade diet for birds
- time consuming
- may contain bacteria or fungal growths
- need vitamin and mineral supplements
- unknown nutritional values
what is the advantage of homemade diets for birds?
balanced/good quality food
name 3 advantages of a pelleted diet for birds
- grinding of cereals + vitamins + minerals
- desired pellet shape
- not able to select
name 2 disadvantages of pelleted diets for birds
- does not guarantee sufficient environmental enrichment
- changing the diet is difficult
name 3 disadvantages of extruded diets for birds
- reduced stimulation of GIT (chopped more finely)
- significantly reduces brain stimulation
- not easily accepted
name the type of diet for birds
ground grains + vitamins + minerals;
higher temp and pressure to create a variety of shapes and colours;
mixture is chopped more finely
extruded diets
name the type of diet for birds
mix of pellets (+ amino acids, vitamins and minerals) mixed with hulled grains and seeds
foraging diets
name 4 advantages of foraging diets for birds
- balanced meal with variable shapes and textures
- good enrichment and normal foraging behaviour
- modifying feedings habits of parrot a bit easier
- GIT function promoted bz coarse food particles
what should vitamin C intake be for a bird in order to help prevent high iron intake
less than 500 mg/kg
name 8 unsafe foods for birds
- old seedds/nuts (aflatoxins)
- avocado
- chocolate
- caffeine
- onion and garlic
- indoor plants
- fruit pits/stones/seeds
- xylitol
what type of diet do budgerigars, cockatiels and small psittacines require?
granivore
(native grass and seeds)
what type of diet do grey parrots require?
Florivorous
(seeds, fruit, flowers and nuts)
what type of diet do amazon parrots require?
frugivore
what type of diet do cockatoos require?
omnivore
(seeds, plant roots and insects)
what type of diet do macaws require?
frugivore & granivore
(seeds, fruit, nuts, leaves, shoots and bark)
name the birds that should be fed this diet
formulated diet of good quality fresh seed mix with sprouted seeds, fruit and vegetables as supplements ;
do NOT feed ad lib due to problems with obesity;
avoid larger fatty seeds such as sunflower
- budgerigars
- cockatiels
- small psittacines
name the type of bird that should be fed this diet
formulated diet with limited vegetable supplementation;
provide UV-b light for adequate vitamin D3 metabolism or calcium supplement
grey parrot
name the type of bird that should be fed this diet
formulated diet or pulse mixture supplemented with fruit;
avoid seeds as very prone to obesity and fatty liver
amazon parrots
name the type of bird that should be fed this diet
formulated diet;
avoid fat seed diets
cockatoos
name the type of bird that should be fed this diet
formulated diets with 10% vegetable supplementation;
avoid excessive use of nuts as treats
macaws
name 5 risks to birds during transport (to the vet etc)
- injury
- loss of flight feathers
- soiled
- escape
- overheating
name 5 zoonotic disease that can be spread by parrots
- Chlamydia psittaci
- Mycobacterium genavense
- Salmonella typhimurium & enteriditis
- Campylobacter jejuni
- HPAIV
name 3 ways for an individual bird to be identified
- ring
- microchip
- feather/wing tag
name 5 things that should be done before touching the bird for clinical exam
- observe in carrier
- speak with owner
- observe breathing
- listen for resp noise and change in voice
- check carrier and look at droppings
name 5 things that should be done to prepare the consult room before taking the bird out
- doors locked
- windows closed
- turn fan off
- reduce lighting
- remove any clutter from the cage
name 4 pieces of equipment needed for clinical exam of a bird
- PPE
- towels
- gloves/gauntlets
- nets
how to restrain a parrot?
- hold head either side by thumb and first finger
- second hand to restrain wings and feet
how often should a bird be weighed while hospitalised
twice a day
how often should a bird be weighed at home
ideally daily
(every week is fine)
name the BCS of the bird
breast bone is very sharp to the touch;
loss of breast muscle and no fat cover
1
(very thin)
name the BCS of the bird
breast bone is easily felt and sharp;
loss of breast muscle and little or no fat cover
2
(thin)
name the BCS of the bird
breast bone easily felt but not sharp;
breast muscle rounded
3
(ideal)
name the BCS of the bird
pressure is needed to feel the breast bone;
well-rounded breast muscle and some fat cover;
may see some fat below where breast bone ends
4
(overweight)
name the BCS of the bird
very hard or not possible to feel the breast bone;
very rounded muscle and possible to feel or see fat moving under the skin;
fat also obvious below where the breast bone ends
5
(obese)
name 6 things to assess feathers and skin for
- presence/absence and pattern of loss
- condition
- stress lines
- molt
- ectoparasites
- blood feathers
name 3 things to assess the wings of birds for during clinical exam
- feather damage
- range of movement
- basillic vein volume and refill
name 4 things bird feet should be checked for during a clinical exam
- pododermatitis
- nail length and quality
- excess faecal build up
- feet grip with pen or finger
name 4 apparent mucous membranes that can be assessed in birds
- coelomic cavity
- uropygial gland
- pericloacal region
- cloacal mucosae
where should a microchip be placed for birds?
(usually under GA)
left pectoral muscle
what type of birds should NEVER have their wings clipped
psittacines
what feathers are clipped for wing clipping in birds?
5-7 primary flight feathers 1cm beyond the edge of the dorsal major primary coverts
name 5 reasons wing clipping should NOT be done in birds
- can cause irritation
- can increase fear and anxiety
- does NOT make parrots easier to train
- leads to feather plucking and keel wounds
- can cause crash landings and injury
AV02
name the ABC of emergenca triage
- Airways
- Breathing
- Cardiovascular
name 3 basic rules for critical care of birds
- minimise handling until more stable
- oxygen!
- supplemental heating! (25-30C for most birds; 21-26 for waterfowl and birds of prey)
what is the maintenance fluid requirement for birds?
50-100 mL/kg/day
any sick bird is assumed to be what percent dehydrated?
10% dehydrated
(and likely acidotic)
name 5 possible routes of fluid therapy for birds
- oral
- subcutaneous
- intracoelomic (risk of air sac puncture)
- intraosseous
- intravenous
what type of feeding tubes do parrots require?
metal
name the 4 steps of crop feeding a bird
- over base of tongue and glottis
- down oesophagus
- into crop or proventriculus
- deliver bolus of liquid
up to what percent of body weight of a bird can be in the crop at any time?
up to 1%
name 2 major risks of crop feeding too large a volume?
- regurgitation
- rupture/burn
where to give subcutaneous fluids to birds?
inguinal skin fold
name 2 reasons when subcutaneous fluids in birds should be avoided
- if operating on that side
- if performing coelioscopy
name 3 safe places to administer intraosseous fluids to birds
- proximal tibiotarsus
- distal ulna
- proximal ulna
name 2 bones where intraosseous fluids should NOT be given to birds;
will drown the bird bc pneumatised and involved in respiration
- humerus
- femur
how much of the fluid deficit should be replaced in the first 12-24h for birds?
50%
(rest over 24-48h)
what should the fill of the crop be before tube feeding a bird?
empty
what percent of body weight and how often should a juvenile bird be fed for supportive nutrition?
10% (10 mL/100g)
3-5 times a day
how much and how often should an adult bird be fed for supportive nutrition?
3mL per 100g BW
5 times a day
what volume for supportive nutrition should be given to a budgie?
1-3 mL
what volume for supportive nutrition should be given to a lovebird?
2-3 mL
what volume for supportive nutrition should be given to a cockatiel?
3-6 mL
what volume for supportive nutrition should be given to a small conure?
4-12 mL
what volume for supportive nutrition should be given to a big conure?
12-25 mL
what volume for supportive nutrition should be given to a parakeet?
15-35 mL
what volume for supportive nutrition should be given to a cockatoo?
20-40 mL
what volume for supportive nutrition should be given to a macaw?
35-60 mL
why does butorphanol work well in birds for analgesia?
higher levels of kappa opioid receptors
how long will analgesia from butorphanol last in birds?
2-4h
what kind of opioid analgesia can be used for birds at home?
tramadol
what combo of local anaesthetics are used in birds?
lidocaine + bupivicaine
where are most IM injections given in birds?
pectoral muscle
name the critical care treatment for the sick bird
anorexia and can’t be tempted to eat;
ie weight loss
nutritional therapy
name the critical care treatment for the sick bird
respiratory effort or distress;
known respiratory disease;
initial assumption for any general sick bird appearance
oxygen therapy
name the critical care treatment for the sick bird
anorexia or regurgitation, collapse, diarrhoea, haemorrhage
fluid therapy
name the critical care treatment for the sick bird
sick birds showing any signs of respiratory disease
nebulisation
name the critical care treatment for the sick bird
all sick birds will likely need a full work-up (blood profile, radiographs, endoscopy)
diagnostics
name the critical care treatment for the sick bird
oiled or wet (soaked) feathers, post-anaesthesia or diagnostic procedures (endoscopy or ultrasound);
debilitated, weak, collapsed birds, inappetant birds
thermo-therapy
start of AV03
what is the most important sample you should always obtain and do an analysis on for birds?
faecal
name 5 analyses that should be done on a faecal sample from birds
- quality/quantity
- cytology
- parasitology
- culture
- PCR
how much of the bacteria present in psittacines faeces should be gram positive
more than 70%
name the type of bacteria that can be seen on cytology of avian faeces
appears as a very large, gram positive rod
Macrorhabdus
name 3 parasites affecting birds that can be found on a faecal analysis with a direct life cycle
- ascarids (smaller/Australian psittacines)
- coccidia (wild birds, raptors, game birds)
- flagellates (game birds)
name 2 parasites affecting birds that can be found on a faecal analysis with an indirect life cycle
- Syngamus spp (raptors, passerines and wild birds)
- Capillaria spp
name 2 avian diseases that can be detected with faecal PCR
- Chlamydia +++
- avian borna virus
name 4 diagnostic tests that can be done on feathers
- quality/quantity
- cytology
- parasitology
- PCR
how to perform cytology on feathers?
contents of quill squeezed onto microscope slide;
wet prep;
diff-quik stain for inflammatory cells, RBCs, yeasts and bacteria
name 3 reasons for doing PCR on a feather
- PBFD (psittacine beak-feather disease)
- Polyoma virus
- identify sex
name 4 things to assess bird skin for
- feather destructive behaviour (FDB)
- skin lesions
- bacteria
- ectoparasites
name the 3 most common bacteria found affecting bird skin
- staph
- strep
- Malessezia (secondary)
name the 2 most common ectoparasites found on birds
- red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)
- Cnemodicoptes
name the ectoparasite
affects psittacines and passerines (budgies);
‘scaly face’;
hyperkeratosis of the legs
Cnemodicoptes
how to perform a crop flush in a bird?
- 1% of BW warmed saline into crop with sterile crop tube
- massage crop
- aspirate and look at immediately
name the avian pathogen that can be detected via crop flush
causes sour crop
Trichomonas gallinae
name the avian pathogen that can be detected via crop flush
avian gastric yeast;
common cause of weight loss, regurgitation and poor condition in small psittacines, notable budgies and passerines, notably canaries
Macrorhabdus ornithogaster
name the avian pathogen that can be detected via crop flush
very common in juvenile parrots leading to GI stasis
Candidiasis
name 5 things that should be given/monitored during bird anaesthesia
- supplemental heat
- monitor BW
- fluid therapy
- nutritional support
- analgesia (if required)