Birds Flashcards
The common fungal disease found in birds is:
Aspergillosis
Which of the following cases would be considered an ER and must be look at first?
Air sac rupture
Another term for constipation in birds is:
Ileus
Where would you find the choana in the bird? What is the main function of the choana?
roof of mouth, like a cleft pallet, it has a respiratory function - air goes from nares into choana
The layman’s term for the cloaca is:
vent
List 2 functions of feathers.
Provide protection
allow flight
thermoregulate
camouflage
communication
For birds:
Injectable medication must be given in the pectorals. Explain why that is true.
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
Describe the guidelines for an ideal diet for most commonly kept pet birds
80% pellets (commercial food) and 20% healthy human food
Describe the best way to convert a seed-eating bird to pellets.
Start feeding them when you eat- BID- to have them bond with you and they should start to look forward to meals.
what should you be cautious of when trying to convert a seed eating bird to pellets
You can go cold turkey but be careful- they might not accept that well.
What are three examples of nutrients that seed-based diets lack?
Mg, Ca, Vitamins A & D
Zinc and sodium
Protein
What part of the bird must you control in order to safely restrain a bird without being bitten?
the head
What is the more common name or layman term for Ulcerative Pododermatitis?
Bumblefoot
What is an advantage of trimming a bird’s wings?
keeps them from flying away or into danger
What is a disadvantage of trimming a bird’s wings?
They can’t get away from predators
might cut a blood feather
make them unbalanced if done improperly
Name 2 things about a bird’s anatomy that makes them unique and different to mammals
Cloaca
no diaphragm
no teeth
crop
feathers
air sacs
solid tracheal rings
more cervical vertebrae
Keel bone
no bladder
Pneumatic bones
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?
Pectoral muscles
Birds’ renal portal system has the ability to excrete medications given in the leg PRIOR to circulating the whole body
List three common signs of illness for a parrot.
Fluffed feathers
not perching or sitting at bottom of cage
lethargic
True/False When restraining a bird, be careful not to bruise their diaphragm.
False
What is one example of a commonly encountered cause of accidental death in a bird in your clients’ home?
Teflon material being heated (pots/pans)
ceiling fans
other pets
smoking
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)
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.
What part of the digestive system is also part of the reproductive and urinary system?
Cloaca or vent
What is the name (proper and common) of the second stomach in a bird’s GI tract? What kind of digestion takes place here?
Ventriculus and gizzard.
Mechanical or grinding process
Explain the MAIN difference between avian and mammalian blood.
Nucleated RBC
What is the common fungal disease in birds called?
Aspergillosis
Blood feathers are also known as ___________ feathers.
PIN or IMMATURE
