Avian Flashcards
1
Q
How do you tell a male from a female cokateil
A
How do you tell male from female- female has wing spots and tail bars
2
Q
What are cockateils prone to
A
overproduction of eggs
3
Q
where are budgies originally found
A
originally from Australia many bred in Germany + here
4
Q
describe new world parrotlets
A
similar size to a love bird
group of the smallest New World parrot species
Form life-long and tight pair bonds with their chosen mates.
5
Q
describe conures
A
medium sized birds
from central + south america
6
Q
describe a hyacinthe macaw
A
South America
Six years to mature
Only lay 1 or 2 eggs a year
7
Q
What are all macaws prone to
A
All Macaws are prone to :
Proventricular Dilation Disease= PDD ( macaw wasting dse)
8
Q
Why are male and female eclectus parrots confused for two different species of birds
A
Until recently, male & female eclectus parrots were considered to be two different species of birds due to their unique and prominent sexual dimorphism. ( male green).. From New Guinea ( old world)
9
Q
how do you sexually differentiate budgies
A
Budgie - blue cere in male- brown in female
10
Q
how do you sexually differentiate most parrots
A
Are sexually monomorphic
Male birds are homogametic (have two Z chromosomes) while females are heterogametic (have one Z and one W chromosome).
Surgical or by Blood Sample
11
Q
What birds are considered passerines
A
Canaries and Finches
Songbirds
12
Q
describe the integument of birds
A
thin epidermis
No sub cut fat- easier to fly
13
Q
do birds have sweat glands? how do they cool down or warm up?
A
No sweat glands. Puff up if cold or flap wings if warm
14
Q
do amazons have a preen gland?
A
no
15
Q
what can happen to the uropygial gland in budgies
A
tutors can develop
16
Q
where is the uropygial gland found
A
On dorsal surface at upper base of the tail
17
Q
what does preening stimulate/do
A
Preening stimulates secretion of an oily, fatty substance
Bird uses beak to spread the oil throughout its feathers to clean and waterproof them
18
Q
describe the claws of psittacines
A
Psittacines digits 2+2 point anteriorly
19
Q
describe the claws of passerines
A
Passerines are 3 +1
20
Q
what are common feet problems in birds
A
Problems with feet
- Scaly leg mite– knemodecoptes
- Vit A df- hyperkaratosis
- pododermatitis
21
Q
describe claws of birds
A
Horny sheath derived from specialized scales at the end of each toe
Grow continuously
Variable types of claws, depending on perching habits and method of procuring food
22
Q
describe the perching reflex
A
When the bird bends its legs to perch the tendons pull the toes around the foot
23
Q
how do you handle raptors when dealing with the perching reflex
A
keep the legs straight
24
Q
how do you trim the nails of birds
A
straighten the leg
25
describe the beak of birds
Beak- modified to its function –Upper and lower mandible covered with a horny keratin layer
Grows continuously
Variable hardness and flexibility, depending on the function
26
why are birds lighter
hollow bones, no teeth, no jaw bones, no sub q fat
27
what is the function of feathers
flight, protection, communication, thermoregulation
28
what is the anatomy of contour feathers
Anatomy of contour feather-- umbilicus, quill, rachis, vane, barbs and barbules and hooklets
29
what are the 6 feather types
```
Contour feather
Semiplume
Downfeathers- warmth
Filoplume
Bristle
Powder down
```
30
what are the different types of contour feathers
remiges (flight)
rectrices (tail)
Coverts
31
where are the primary feathers located
Primary feathers- from the carpus distally
32
where are the secondary feathers located
Secondary feathers- from elbow to the carpus
33
describe the contour feathers
Flight feathers of the wings and tail
| (remiges and retrices)
34
how are the contour feathers moved
Moved by muscles attached to the walls of
| the follicles
35
describe the auricular feathers
small contour feathers
around external ear openings
Improve bird’s hearing ability
36
describe the structure of the Vane of a feather
```
flattened part of a feather
Numerous slender,
closely spaced barbs
that give rise to
barbules containing
hooklets (hamuli)
Hooklets interlock
each barbule with an
adjacent one
```
37
describe the semiplume feathers
Have main rachis with barbs
and no barbules or hooklets
| Found under contour feathers
38
what is the function of the semiplume feathers
Provide insulation
Provide flexibility for movement of contour feathers
Help with buoyancy in water birds
39
describe the down feathers of birds
```
Down feathers
Soft, fluffy feathers
Lack a true shaft
No barbules or hooklets
Located next to skin under contour feathers
```
40
what is the function of down feathers
warmth
41
what are the 2 major types of feather damage
feather mites
| daily wear and tear
42
describe feather mites
Feather mites and other external parasites can chew and consume parts of the feather vanes
43
describe daily wear and tear
Daily wear and tear: lighter tips of flight and tail feathers can be worn off
44
describe stress bars in feathers
```
Fault bar (stress bar): weakened area on the feather vane where barbs lack barbules – Look for during GPE
Results from stress that interrupts blood flow during feather growth
Common stressor: poor diet
```
45
what is a brood patch
area of dermis in breast that thickens with blood vessels during brooding- to incubate eggs
46
what is a feather tract
—pterylae—apteria (no feathers)
47
what are blood feathers
a growing feather-can see the vein
48
describe feather pickers
Often behavioral OCD
| BUT must rule out all medical possibilities by doing tests
49
What tests need to be done on a bird who is plucking his own feathers
GPE and extensive review of history
Identify stressors and nutritional factors
X-ray- heavy metal
Blood tests : CBC + BIOCHEM- to insure good health
Fecal smear and floatation to rule out parasites
Gram stain- of feces, Choana, crop contents
PCR tests for PBFD
50
how much of the birds body weight is made up of feathers
4-12%
51
what is molting
Process of feather replacement
In most species, feather replacement is symmetrical
One or two pairs of flight feathers molted at a time
Many species of waterfowl molt all flight feathers at once after the breeding season
52
how often are feathers molted
Occurs once to several times a year, depending on species
53
when a feather is melted, what is it covered with
Feather emerges covered by periderm
Periderm removed by preening
Sometimes a bird that is molting can over preen
54
how is the old feather removed during molting
newly developing feather pushes old feather out
55
describe the appearance of a new feather
New feather has visible Blood vessels (blood feather)
| When feather is fully grown, blood dries up
56
what is psittacine beak and feather disease
caused by a circovirus—results in the production of abnormal or dystrophic feathers + weakens immune system
the powder down feathers are first affected, the last are the primaries
Birds die within 1-3 years from time of diagnosis
57
which animal was beak and feather disease first described in
cockatoos
58
what does pssitacine beak and feather disease cause
Beak Necrosis, Feather Dystrophies, worsening with each successive molt
59
what are the early signs of PBFD
Early signs are subtle changes in down feathers
60
how do you diagnose PBFD
PCR test for the virus
61
describe the pectorals muscle
(downstroke)-- 20% of birds weight - This is Where we give IM injections
62
describe the supracoracoideus muscle
used for upstroke
63
what has the fused vertebrae of the bird replaced
the dorsally located muscles
64
what is the function of red muscle
used fat for energy. very long distance flyers
65
what is the function of white muscle
use of glycogen for energy
66
what bones are often fractured with window strikes
Coracoid often fractured
| With window strikes
67
what is the function of the Allula
steering
68
what are the birds adaptations for flight
reduction in the number of bones
fusion of many bones
pneumatic bones- hollow bones
69
describe the axial skeleton of the bird
more cervical vertebrae
rigid thoracic vertebrae
lumbosacral area is fused with pelvis- SYNSACRUM
Sternum—large keel bone
70
what bones make up the pectoral girdle
coracoid, scapula, clavicle (wish bone)
71
in birds what is larger, the ulna or the radius
the ulna
72
what is the name of the wing web of birds
patagium
73
describe the vision of birds
very well developed-
Eye is of different shapes in different species
they have better visual acuity than us
more nerves going to the rods and cones--thicker retina
Sclerotic rings- ossicles that support and protect eyes
Transparent nictitating membrane – acts as a lens in diving birds–
74
describe the iris muscle in birds
Iris muscle is striated- under voluntary control- not autonomic (will not dilate with atropine)
75
what is located in the vitreous humour of birds
pecten- allows for additional blood supply to bird.
76
what happens if the pecten is injured in raptors
it can't be released
77
what birds have a second fovea
hawks
78
what spectrum do birds see in
UVA light spectrum
79
describe the hearing of birds
BIRDS HEAR 10 x faster than us
| Extremely well developed in Barn Owls-asymmetric ears and Facial disk
80
describe the middle ear of birds
Middle ear- columnella instead 3 bones
81
describe the taste sense of birds
Not well developed
| Fewer taste buds
82
describe the smell sense of birds
Poorly developed in most birds
Better developed in vultures
83
describe the common structures of the digestive system
```
BEAK
MOUTH- no soft palate-- Choana
CROP- storage
STOMACH = Proventriculus and Gizzard
Liver- bilobed
Pancreas
Duodenum. Jejunum. ileum
Large intestine
+/- ceca (herbivores)
cloaca
```
84
What is the function of the crop
Courtship regurgitation
Pigeons produce crop milk
Problems with Hand fed baby birds- impacted crops—Sour crop
85
what is a common diagnostic test with the crop
Crop Wash to check for parasite, fungal, bacterial infection
86
what is the function of the proventriculus
glandular stomach
87
what is the function of the ventriculus
gizzard - very muscular- grinding function (grit is here)
88
what are the 3 parts of the cloaca
coprodeum
Urodeum
Proctodeum
89
what are the feces in birds called
mutes
90
what are the 3 parts of the bird's mute
feces, urates, urine
91
describe normal bird droppings
Diets with a high seed content usually produce homogeneous dark green feces.
Birds on formulated pellet diets normally exhibit soft, brownish feces.
Urine is normally a clear liquid. A diet high in vegetable and fruit matter may increase the urine component.
92
what are some important diagnostic characteristics from urine/feces
Decrease in the total number or volume of droppings ( history)
Color change of the urates/urine to green or yellow
Increase in the water content of the feces (diarrhea)
Increase in the urine portion (polyuria).
Passing whole seeds is abnormal
93
how do you evaluate the mute of a bird
Have client bring in cage or take photos
The stress of transporting and examining the bird will change the character of the mutes so you can not rely on this
94
describe proventricular dilation disease
affects the nerves of the GI tract-
the proventriculus becomes very enlarged.
There is passing of whole seeds in feces
A crop biopsy can confirm.
PCR test for virus is not reliable at this time
95
describe the papilloma virus
cloacal papillomatosis: in amazons
This can become a progressively fatal disease
```
The warts ( papillomas) end
Check for this in GPE- invert the cloaca
```
96
describe the cardiovascular system of birds
High body temp. 42 C (104-105°F.)
High heart rates- only 6 secs to made a complete circuit
An average heart rate for a bird is approximately 400 bpm. While in flight, it can increase 2-3 times as fast!
97
describe erythrocytes of birds
ERYTHROCYTE oval, nucleated, larger than mammals, PCV- 35-55,
5% recticulocytes is normal
A responsive anemia should see >10% reticulocytes
98
describe the leukocytes of birds
HETREROPHILS- equivalent to neutrophil, rod shaped orange granules.
See increase in chlamydiosis and other bacterial infections
```
Eosinophils-- round granules
Basophils – rare
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Thrombocytes (platelets)
```
99
what anticoagulant do you use with a bird blood smear
lithium heparin
100
where do you perform venipuncture in birds
basilar vein
| medial metatarsal
101
where can you give iv/sc injections
in the potassium
| in the intraosseus catheter
102
how much blood can be safely drawn from a bird
1% of total body weight
103
what is the total blood volume of birds
10% of body weight
104
describe the large infraorbital sinus of birds
rostrovental to the eye—2 exits are dorsal- a bird with sinusitis often looks like conjunctivitis
105
how do you treat birds sinusitis
sinus flush
106
describe the respiratory system
Nares, choana
no epiglottis – Glottis
no larynx—Syrinx- voice box
Complete tracheal rings- do not use a cuffed ET tube
bronchi—mesobronchi—parabronchi—air capillaries (no alveoli)
Lung is fixed
Air sacs
Birds do not possess a diaphragm. Air sacs within the coelomic cavity take up 1/5th of the bird’s body volume.
107
describe the avian femur
it is a pneumatic bone which is part of their respiratory system
108
what can happen in the air sacs
air sacculitis - aspergilla - aspergillosis
109
Describe the path of air through a bird
Inspiration 1- air goes to posterior airsacs- where it is warmed and humidified –
expiration 1- it is pushed into the lungs where gas exchange occurs- countercurrent exchanges system very efficient O2 extraction
Inspiration 2- it moves to the cranial air sacs
expiration 2 – air leaves the bird’s body
110
what are budgies prone to, in the urogenital system
renal adenocarcinoma
111
describe the size of the kidneys in birds
kidneys larger and divided into 3 parts
112
describe the uric acid of birds
Urates- white- main nitrogenous waste product- will be elevated with kidney disease and failure
113
describe gout in birds
Excess uric acid in the bird is called - GOUT- it often deposits in the joints and causes lameness
114
what is BUN a measure of in birds
measure of hydration
115
describe the reproductive system of birds
Females are the heterozygous one ZW
Testes are in the abdomen
Females have only one ovary on left side
Aquatic birds have a phallus
116
describe female reproductive anatomy
```
Infundibulum-
Magnum- secretes albumin
Isthmus-shell membrane
Uterus-shell gland
Vagina stores sperm,
```
117
describe normal biochemistry tests in birds
```
ALT, SGPT-- little use in avian- is present in all cells- not liver specific
AMYLASE- elevated in pancreatitis and enteritis
AP, SAP- little use
AST, SGOT-- liver and muscle
CK, CPK -- muscle
Bile Acids -- liver function
Bilirubin is not that useful birds produce biliverdin-
Calcium- elevated in laying birds
Glucose-
BUN-- hydration status
Uric Acid- kidney
Creatinine - not useful
```
118
what causes knemidokoptes mites
Sarcoptes mite
Scaly beak and leg mite
Responds well to ivomec
119
describe pox disease in birds
psittacine, cutaneous form. These two Fischer lovebirds are suffering from eye lesions caused by a parrot pox virus. Most of the affected birds did not survive. Other species often have lower mortality rates.
120
where are the common sites for fibrosarcoma in the pet bird
beak and face
121
describe hepatic lipidosis in birds
gross lesions, cockatiel. A pale liver is located beneath the heart, nestled in a pad of abdominal body fat. Diet consisted of mixed seeds, of which only sunflower seeds were actually eaten.
122
Describe feather cysts
This macaw shows a single large ingrown feather or feather cyst. Canaries are commonly affected with multiple feather cysts.
123
summarize all viral diseases
Proventricular Dilatition Disease—Macaw wasting dse – virus aborna
Newcastle Disease- reportable dse-- Is the reason for the 45 day quarantine of BIRDS
Polyomavirus- pediatric dse of parrots- can be carried by budgies
Pacheco Disease—herpes virus—carried by Conures—Amazons very susceptible
There is a vaccine- no longer a problem at HARI
POX virus-canary
Psittacine Beak and Featherdse—PBFD
—circo virus
Papillomatosis Amazons + Macaws very susceptible
124
What does the polyoma virus cause
widespread hemorrhage, acute death
125
describe polyoma/vaccination for polyoma
Adults require yearly booster
Neonates -- 5 weeks and 8 weeks
Budgies may be unapparent carriers
May cause Budgie fledgling disease- dystrophic feathers
126
what are the 2 common liver diseases
Fatty Liver
| Aspergillosis
127
what are misc. diseases of birds
Overgrown Beak
Brown Hypertrophy of Cere
Female budgie
Feather Bars-- stress bars
128
describe psittacine herpesvirus hepatitis
Psittacine HV-1,2,3-- Herpes Virus
South American Origin– ***problem mixing birds from different geographic areas
Cockatoos and Amazons die per acutely
Macaws die acutely
Conures (Nanday and Patagonian) incriminated as carriers
129
what are the common signs of psittacosis
```
Respiratory Involvement: airsacculitis
Leukocytosis, heterophilia, monocytosis
Anemia
AST elevation, TP, bile acids
Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly\
Fibrinopericardititis
```
130
What are common nutritional disorders
Obesity—Hepatic Lipidosis-
Vitamin A Imbalance
Calcium, Phosphorous, Vit D3 Imbalance
Iodine deficiency/ Goiter
131
what are the problems with a seed only diet
Df—Vit A, Vit D, riboflavin, vitB12-
Df- minerals; Calcium, sodium, iodine, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium
Df- amino acids- lysine, methionine
Xs- fat
Imbalance – amino acids, Ca:P, vit E, Se
seed - Goiter- budgie on an all seed diet
132
describe vitamin A deficiency
Vit A df- hyperkeratosis of epithelium- GPE look at Choanal papillae
133
describe B vitamin and mineral deficiency
results in poor feathering and may result in feather picking especially after a molt
134
describe obesity in birds
fatty liver disease
135
describe Ca, P, Vitamin D imbalance
lameness, fractures,
African Grays are prone to hypocalcemic tetany
Egg binding/dystocias -+ egg shell problems
136
what are common parasitic diseases
```
Helminths -Tapeworm --Ascarids
Filarial worms
Protozoa- Giardia, coccidia
Arthropods -air sac mites- Canaries
- budgies knemidokoptes--> scaly face and leg mite
- feather mites
```
137
what are common fungal diseases in birds
Mycotoxicosis- mold infected grain
Candidiasis- yeast-- crop infections
Aspergillosis- opportunistic
Megabacterioisis-(avian gastric yeast)
138
what are early signs of disease in birds
Broken, bent, picked or chewed feathers
Stained feathers over nares or around the face or vent or Crusty material in or around nostrils
Redness, swelling or loss of feathers around eyes, baldness
Sores on bottom of feet /Lameness /shifting of body weight
Minor changes in talking, biting, or eating habits
139
what are the clinical signs of serious illness in birds
Significant changes in number and appearance of the droppings
Decreased or excessive food or water consumption
Change in attitude, personality or behavior
Fluffed posture
Decreased vocalization
Change in breathing or abnormal respiratory sounds
Change in weight or general body condition
Enlargement or swelling on the body
Any bleeding or injury
Vomiting or regurgitation
Discharge from nostrils, eyes, or mouth
140
what are common zoonosis with birds
Chlamydiosis
Salmonellosis
Tuberculosis
Influenza A
141
describe chlamydophila in birds
Chlamydiosis, also referred to as psittacosis in people and parrot fever in birds
Chlamydophila psittaci, formerly classified as Chlamydia psittaci.
Treatment with doxycycline or chlortetracycline is the standard of care.
142
what are some common skin problems in birds
Brown Hypertrophy of the Cere- Budgies
Lipomas- lipomatosis
Self trauma
143
what are common feather problems in birds
Feather picking
Continuous molting
Feather cysts - ingrown feather forms a granuloma-- likely congenital-- may be underlying virus induced folliculitis
144
what are common respiratory problems in birds
Sinusitis
Pneumonia
Air sacculitis
Dyspnea-Anything occupying the abdominal space:tumor, helpatomegaly,ascites
145
what is the clinical sign of resp. distress
tail bobbing
146
what are common GI diseases
Vomiting or Regurgitation
| Abnormal droppings
147
what are common reproductive conditions in birds
```
Chronic egg laying
Egg binding
Egg yolk peritonitis
Prolapsed cloaca-oviduct-uterus
Sexual aggression
```
148
what are common neoplasia in birds
```
Fibrosarcoma
Carcinoma— e.g. renal
Lymphosarcoma
Lipoma
Pituitary Masses
```
149
what are the common kidney disorders in birds
gout
| polyuria
150
what are the common endocrine disorders in birds
Diabetes
| Hypothyroidism
151
what are the common toxicosis in birds
Toxic fumes
Lead, Zinc
avocado
152
what are some pediatric conditions in birds
Aspiration pneumonia
Crop burn, crop stasis, infection
Beak and leg abnormalities
153
describe avian hepatic lipidosis
most commonly seen in birds eating high fat diets (seed), especially after a sudden dietary change (i.e. to a pelleted diet) or a period of anorexia
* similar pathogenesis to that seen in other species
* more commonly seen in Amazon parrots
154
what are the clinical signs of hepatic lipidosis
anorexia
* "sick bird syndrome" - fluffed appearance, lethargy, increased sleeping
* biliverdinuria-- see green urates
155
what are the physical/diagnostic findings of avian hepatic lipidosis
radiographically, enlargement of the hepatic silhouette can be seen
* hepatomegaly may be palpable
* AST, bile acids, and cholesterol are elevated
156
describe avian aspergillosis
occurs in psittacines, raptors, and water fowl
* Aspergillus is ubiquitous in the environment and infection is thought to be caused by either immunosuppression or massive exposure to the organism.
Penguins in zoos-- are very susceptible
157
what are the clinical signs of avian aspergillosis
dyspnea, change in voice, reluctance to talk (parrots), respiratory click, emaciation, exercise intolerance
158
what are the physical/diagnosistc findings of avian aspergillosis
some birds may become very stressed when handled and need to stay in an oxygen cage
* increased respiratory effort observed on physical exam
* severe leukocytosis of 20-100,000 WBCs/µL
* heterophilia with a left-shift, monocytosis, and lymphopenia
* non-regenerative anemia, increased total protein and globulin
159
how do you diagnose avian aspergillosis
endoscopic visualization of plaques in the trachea (especially at the level of the syrinx) or airsacs
evidence of air sacculitis may be apparent on radiographs
culture is valuable if taken from sites such as the trachea, air sacs, and lungs
histopathology
Treatmant
* Long term anti-fungal therapy with Amphotericin B, terbinafine, diflucan and/or intraconazole.
* Endoscopic removal of plaques, especially those lodged at the syrinx.
