Avian Review questions

Question 1

Intramuscular injection of medication in birds should be given in the

Answer 1

large pectoral muscle mass.

Question 2

The term apteric tract refers to

Answer 2

a normal area of skin where feathers do not grow.

Question 3

Most pet bird species have predominantly _____________ inhabiting the digestive system.

Answer 3

Gram-positive organisms

Question 4

When examining a crop wash sample, all inflammatory cells should be noted. ____________ are, the most abundant granulocyte in avian, reptile, and some small mammalian species.

Answer 4

Heterophils

Question 5

Avian droppings have three components. Which statement is not correct?

The feces component of avian droppings is generally brown to green

Ammonia is the liquid part of avian droppings.

Uric acid in avian droppings is generally white and pasty.

Urine is the liquid part of avian droppings.

Answer 5

Ammonia is the liquid part of avian droppings.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about performing a crop wash on birds is the least accurate?

Always use a tube that has a diameter larger than the glottis.

A sterile tube is inserted laparoscopically into the proventriculus, and then advanced into the crop.

A beak speculum must be used to pry open the beak.

Sterile saline is flushed into the crop, agitated, and then aspirated back though the tube.

Answer 6

A sterile tube is inserted laparoscopically into the proventriculus, and then advanced into the crop.

When performing a crop wash, a beak speculum must be used to pry open the beak. A sterile or sanitized tube is placed through the bird’s oral cavity into the crop. Always use a tube that has a diameter larger than the glottis. Sterile saline is flushed into the crop, agitated, and then aspirated back though the tube.

Question 7

Avian seed diets are deficient in certain nutrients such as specific amino acids and vitamins (particularly vitamin ______ ), and are high in fat.

Answer 7

A

Seed diets are deficient in certain nutrients such as specific amino acids, vitamins (particularly vitamin A), trace minerals, and macro minerals (such as calcium and sodium), and are high in fat.

Question 8

While using opioids in birds, it is important to know that many birds have larger numbers of _______ opioid receptors in relation to mammals.

Answer 8

Kappa

Mammalian opioid receptors are dominated by the mu receptor. Birds have a predominance of kappa receptors. An alternative drug such as butorphanol (partial kappa agonist) would work preferentially in avian patients.

Question 9

For endotracheal intubation, a noncuffed tube is used in birds because

Answer 9

their trachea is made of completely closed cartilaginous rings, and pressure from a cuff could cause severe pressure necrosis of the mucosal layer.

Question 10

Gavage feeding is often necessary in birds. Food that is administered using a feeding tube must have a temperature between

Answer 10

99° F and 101° F.

Question 11

Safe sample collection volumes from birds should never be greater than _____ of the bird’s body weight.

Answer 11

1 %

Question 12

When restraining avian species, technicians must be careful to restrain the head safely while not compressing the chest because

Answer 12

their chest must be able to expand and contract to allow them to breathe.

Question 13

When bringing a bird into the clinic, owners should be advised that it is not necessary to

Answer 13

bring in the home cage rather than a transport cage.

Owners should be advised to take photos of the enclosure at home and bring droppings from the cage to allow the medical team to evaluate them. Additionally, owners should bring in samples of the food they offer, any supplements used, and any medications the bird may currently be taking.

Question 14

When bringing a bird into the clinic, owners should be advised that it is not necessary to

Answer 14

bring in the home cage rather than a transport cage.

Owners should be advised to take photos of the enclosure at home and bring droppings from the cage to allow the medical team to evaluate them. Additionally, owners should bring in samples of the food they offer, any supplements used, and any medications the bird may currently be taking.

Question 15

There is a large role that the veterinary technician can play in the health care of exotic pets. It is estimated that ____ of the diseases seen in veterinary clinics in these animals is a result of pet owners’ lack of basic nutritional and husbandry information for that species.

Answer 15

85%

Question 16

An overgrown beak is often mistakenly thought to be due to a lack of things to chew or grind on, but in reality, it is usually a sign of

Answer 16

metabolic disturbance.
trauma.
infection.

Question 17

How many flight feathers should be clipped to prevent an injured bird from trying to fly?

Answer 17

1 to 10

Question 18

Psittacosis is a disease transmissible to humans that is caused by the bacterium C. psittaci. This disease bacterium’s genus is

Answer 18

Chlamydia.

Question 19

A cloacal swab is often performed on avian species to obtain samples for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing. These DNA tests are often used for infectious disease testing such as

Answer 19

*Chlamydia psittaci *and Polyomavirus.

Question 20

The — is a muscular outpouching of the esophagus located above a bird’s sternum where food is stored prior to digestion.

Answer 20

crop

Question 21

When taking radiographs on birds in the ventrodorsal view (VD), what should the technician align the spinal column up with to ensure a clear image is collected?

Answer 21

the keel bone

Question 22

Each blood collection location in avian patients has its own advantages and disadvantages. The __________ vein is the recommended site for most, if not all, pet bird species.

Answer 22

right jugular

Question 23

Parrots lack a _______ and a _______ in the digestive system

Answer 23

cecum and gall bladder

Question 24

You are performing a Gram stain on the feces of a zebra finch. What should you find in a normal healthy zebra finch?

Answer 24

Very few Gram-positive bacteria

Question 25

Which muscles determine the body condition in birds?

Answer 25

pectoral muscle

Question 26

cell culture

Answer 26

cell culture

Question 27

Aspergillosis infections are most commonly found in:

Answer 27

The tracheal bifurcation

Question 28

Acute pulmonary hemorrhage can be caused by which toxin?

Answer 28

teflon

Question 29

Cuffed endotracheal tubes should not be used due to:

Answer 29

Birds having complete tracheal rings

Question 30

During an anesthetic procedure to the head or beak, what is the best way to administer anesthesia to a bird?

Answer 30

Place an endotracheal tube in a caudal air sac.

Question 31

When trimming the bird’s wings, what factor should not be considered when deciding the correct number of feathers to cut?

Answer 31

breeding season

Question 32

If an avian patient weighs 527 grams, how much blood can safely be pulled?

Answer 32

0.5 mL

Question 33

The ideal perch diameter would allow the bird’s foot to wrap around _____ of the diameter.

Answer 33

3/4

Question 34

The best material for a perch is:

Answer 34

natural wood

Question 35

Having the cage in an area that does not allow the bird to get enough rest could result in aggressive or other undesirable behaviors.
t/f

Answer 35

true

Question 36

You are presented with a bird that is regurgitating. The bird is of good weight, has been eating well, and is acting normal otherwise. Why is this bird regurgitating?

Answer 36

it may be a sign of affection to a person or something

Question 37

You are presented with a bird that is chronically feather picking. This is most likely a:

Answer 37

behavioral problem

Question 38

One of the most important disease control methods is the practice of quarantine. What is the minimum period for which a bird should be quarantined?

Answer 38

45 days

Question 39

When designing the aviary one must consider the ease of cleaning and disinfecting. What common materials would be considered to be difficult to disinfect?

Answer 39

toys

Question 40

The most widely accepted disinfectant in aviculture is:

Answer 40

bleach

Question 41

Along with disinfection and quarantine, what other disease control measure must be instituted in an aviary?

Answer 41

pest control

Question 42

The most common pediatric problem is:

Answer 42

crop stasis

Crop stasis can be noted by parting feathers and watching for movement (regular contractions occur in the crop). There should be at least one wave of movement across the crop per minute.

Question 43

You are presented with a bird that has a tattoo on the web of its left wing. You assume the tattoo is from a surgical sexing procedure, therefore the patient is most likely a:

Answer 43

female

Question 44

In most birds, the ______ oviduct and ovary is active.

Answer 44

left

Question 45

GI signs such as no stool production and regurgitation may be seen in dystocia cases in birds due to:

Answer 45

The egg placing pressure on the GI tract preventing passage of feces.

Question 46

Chronic egg layers can be treated by breaking the reproductive cycle with:

Answer 46

light life cycles