Birds

Question 1

The common fungal disease found in birds is:

Answer 1

Aspergillosis

Question 2

Which of the following cases would be considered an ER and must be look at first?

Answer 2

Air sac rupture

Question 3

Another term for constipation in birds is:

Answer 3

Ileus

Question 4

Where would you find the choana in the bird? What is the main function of the choana?

Answer 4

roof of mouth, like a cleft pallet, it has a respiratory function - air goes from nares into choana

Question 5

The layman’s term for the cloaca is:

Answer 5

vent

Question 6

List 2 functions of feathers.

Answer 6

Provide protection
allow flight
thermoregulate
camouflage
communication

Question 7

For birds:

Injectable medication must be given in the pectorals. Explain why that is true.

Answer 7

it is the biggest muscle in their body

the renal portal system lets birds control their circulation to their lower limbs so that makes using the leg not ideal, this can cause the medication to be excreted before it can take effect

Question 8

Describe the guidelines for an ideal diet for most commonly kept pet birds

Answer 8

80% pellets (commercial food) and 20% healthy human food

Question 9

Describe the best way to convert a seed-eating bird to pellets.

Answer 9

Start feeding them when you eat- BID- to have them bond with you and they should start to look forward to meals.

Question 10

what should you be cautious of when trying to convert a seed eating bird to pellets

Answer 10

You can go cold turkey but be careful- they might not accept that well.

Question 11

What are three examples of nutrients that seed-based diets lack?

Answer 11

Mg, Ca, Vitamins A & D
Zinc and sodium
Protein

Question 12

What part of the bird must you control in order to safely restrain a bird without being bitten?

Answer 12

the head

Question 13

What is the more common name or layman term for Ulcerative Pododermatitis?

Answer 13

Bumblefoot

Question 14

What is an advantage of trimming a bird’s wings?

Answer 14

keeps them from flying away or into danger

Question 15

What is a disadvantage of trimming a bird’s wings?

Answer 15

They can’t get away from predators
might cut a blood feather
make them unbalanced if done improperly

Question 16

Name 2 things about a bird’s anatomy that makes them unique and different to mammals

Answer 16

Cloaca
no diaphragm
no teeth
crop
feathers
air sacs
solid tracheal rings
more cervical vertebrae
Keel bone
no bladder
Pneumatic bones

Question 17

You are responsible for post operative care on a bird that had a fracture repair. The directions say to give Torbutrol IM for pain control. What muscle would you give the injection in and explain why?

Answer 17

Pectoral muscles

Birds’ renal portal system has the ability to excrete medications given in the leg PRIOR to circulating the whole body

Question 18

List three common signs of illness for a parrot.

Answer 18

Fluffed feathers
not perching or sitting at bottom of cage
lethargic

Question 19

True/False When restraining a bird, be careful not to bruise their diaphragm.

Answer 19

False

Question 20

What is one example of a commonly encountered cause of accidental death in a bird in your clients’ home?

Answer 20

Teflon material being heated (pots/pans)
ceiling fans
other pets
smoking

Question 21

Second-hand smoke particularly hard on birds. What is special about their respiratory systems to contribute to this? What is different about their breathing compared to humans?

(two points)

Answer 21

Air sacs make their respiratory system 10X more efficient so they inhale and exhale the smoke every breath.

They can take in more smoke or toxins than mammals and it may be hard to filters those toxins out.

Question 22

What part of the digestive system is also part of the reproductive and urinary system?

Answer 22

Cloaca or vent

Question 23

What is the name (proper and common) of the second stomach in a bird’s GI tract? What kind of digestion takes place here?

Answer 23

Ventriculus and gizzard.

Mechanical or grinding process

Question 24

Explain the MAIN difference between avian and mammalian blood.

Answer 24

Nucleated RBC

Question 25

What is the common fungal disease in birds called?

Answer 25

Aspergillosis

Question 26

Blood feathers are also known as ___________ feathers.

Answer 26

PIN or IMMATURE