Birds Flashcards
What causes metabolic bone disease in birds?
HypoCa due to nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism
What are the main Sx of metabolic bone disease in birds?
Muscle fasciculations Weakness Tremors Pathological fractures Bone growth deformities
Other than nutritional causes of metabolic bone disease, what are the two other potential causes in birds
UV-b
Chronic egg laying
What is the pathogenesis of hepatic lipidosis in birds
Accumulation of triglycerides in the liver secondary to other conditions
What are the main risk factors for hepatic lipidosis in birds
High fat or high protein diet Overfeeding neonates Nutrient deficiency Reduced exercise Hereditary Active egg laying DM Stress Thyroid disease Obesity
What are the main Sx of hepatic lipidosis in birds
Dyspnoea
Poor liver function
Generally a sick bird
How does DM differ in raptors cf. psittacine birds
Raptors - absolute lack of insulin production = hyperglycaemia
Psittacines - elevated blood glucose related to overproduction glucagon cf. underproduction of insulin
How is DM Tx in birds
Low carb diet with exogenous insulin to override the effects of ++ glucagon
In which bird spp is thyroid disease common
Budgies
What is the main Sx of a testicular sertoli tumour in a budgie
Brown hypertrophy of the cere
Lameness on the affected side due to sciatic nerve impingement
What are salt gland and which exotic spp are they seen in
Seen in birds
Extra renal pathway for salt excretion when ++ NaCl has been consumed
What is the excretory product of birds urinary system
Uric acid
How does gout occur in birds
Uric acid = end stage protein metabolism
Levels in blood exceed solubility threshold = uric acid crystals = deposited on surface of internal organs and within joints
How is gout Tx in birds
aggressive fluid therapy
Diuretics
Dietary modification
What does egg yolk Peritonitis occur secondary to in birds
Ectopic ovulation - infundibulum of salpinx is not attached to ovary - ovulated eggs can go astray
What is chronic egg production in birds due to
Over nutrition
Over bonding with owner
Early egg removal
Extended photoperiod
What condition is a common sequel to reproductive disease in Male and female birds
Cloacal prolapse
What is the most common URT disease in birds
Sinusitis
How can sinusitis be Dx in birds
Facial / nares region deformed with periocular swelling
Oculonasal discharge
Dyspnoea
What is the main pathogen that causes LRT disease in birds
Aspergillosis
How might a bird with aspergillosis present
Dyspnoea
Inappetence
Lethargy
Reluctance to fly or perch
How is aspergillosis Tx in birds
Intensive initial stabilisation
Anti-fungal medication
Consider euth - only 50% survive
Antibiotics - secondary infection common
What anti-fungal medication for Tx of aspergillosis is contraindicated in grey parrots, name a suitable alternative
Itraconozole
Alternative = voriconazole
What causes Teflon toxicity in birds
Inhalation of fluoridated has produced when PTFE is heated above 240 degree e.g. cooking, ironing
What does Teflon toxicity in birds cause and what are the main Sx
Causes pulmonary oedema, haemorrhage and necrosis
Sudden death
Weak
Dyspnoea
Neuro Sx
What is conjunctivitis in birds associated with
Psittacosis or mycoplasmosis
Excess UV exposure
Irritants
Resp Disease
What is acute blindness in budgies related to
Pituitary neoplasia
What is the cause of hypovitaminosis A in birds
Seed diet without supplementation
What can be the causes of feather destructive behaviour in birds
Medical causes - sexual frustration
Environmental causes - boredom
Psychogenic causes
What is the main DDX for feather destructive behaviour in birds
Psittacine beak and feather disease
In which birds is pododermatitis (bumblefoot) most common
Raptors
What is the cause of pododermatitis (bumblefoot) in birds
Husbandry related - obesity, inactivity, hypovitaminosis A, inappropriate perch
What is wing tip oedema and when does it occur in birds
Dry gangrene syndrome
During winter and is triggered by period of cold / freezing weather
How do birds with wing tip oedema present
Dropped and tip is swollen / cold with pitting oedema
How can the preen gland become diseased in birds
Impacted with secretions
Infected
Neoplastic change in ducts or glands
How does preen gland disease present in birds
Mass or area of clumped feathers
What is scissor beak in birds?
Abnormal beak occlusion congenital or secondary to trauma or disease
Often see in young birds where they have been fed from one side only
What are the main sources of heavy metal toxicity in birds
Zinc = new cage disease, absorbed into gut, damages pancreas
Lead = cage toys, environmental, absorbed in gut and retained in soft tissues
What are the main Sx of heavy metal toxicity in birds
Depression Weakness V+ or D+ PUPD Anorexia Seizures Haemoglobinuria with lead poisoning
What is psittacosis in birds
Caused by chlamydia psittaci
Resp Sx and D+
Zoonotic
What is the Tx for psittacosis in birds
Doxycycline
What are the four viral diseases of pet birds that are notifiable
West Nile virus
Avian influenza
Newcastle disease
Pigeon paramyxovirus
What virus causes Psittacine beak and feather disease
Corcovirus
What Sx does clinical psittacine beak and feather disease cause
Lack of powder / feather dander
Abnormal feather formation
Feathers easily epilated and grow back slowly
Secondary infections
What is proventricular dilation Disease in birds
Progressive fatal disease affecting the autonomic nervous system of the gut caused by avian bornavoris = macaw wasting Disease
How might chicks with polyoma Virus infection present
Crop stasis Ecchymotic SC haemorrhage Coelomic distention due to hepato and splenomegaly Abnormal feather production Pericardial effusion Sudden death
