Common Problems in Pet Birds

Question 1

T/F bird skin has no glands

Answer 1

False

Have one gland - uropygial (preen) gland

Question 2

what is wrong with these birds

Answer 2

nothing - baby birds look scruffy

Question 3

what are stress bars

Answer 3

interruption in growth of feathers from stressful event

Question 4

T/F inpreened feathers, stress bars, and trauma are common in juvenile birds

Answer 4

true

Question 5

causes of poor preening

Answer 5

hand raised babies

over-zealous mates

stressful environment

Question 6

medical conditions leading to poor feathering

Answer 6

nutritional disorders

endocrine problems (T4)

parasites: lice and mites

infectious rare (PBFD)

Question 7

poor diet = _______

Answer 7

poor integument

Question 8

treatment for scaley face and leg mite (knemidocoptes)

Answer 8

ivermectin

Question 9

T/F most birds just pull out feathers, generally are not indentifiably sick

Answer 9

True

mutilation of skin and muscles uncommon, usually a lifelong problem, disease of captivity

Question 10

how to work up the plucking bird

Answer 10

good history

thorough physical exam

screening blood work

possible rads, fecal testing, skin biopsy

determine if medical vs behavioral

Question 11

T/F this bird is bored and blucking its feathers

Answer 11

False

this is psittacine Beak and Feather Disease - notice the feather dystophy on the face/head

Question 12

what can be helpful in diagnosing feather disorders

Answer 12

skin biopsies

Question 13

what is seen on histopathology of skin biospies

Answer 13

damage from plucking

paired skin biopsies

inflammation in non-plucked areas

inflammatory skin disease?

atrophy of feather folicles

viral inclusions (PBFD)

Question 14

therapy for feather destruction

Answer 14

adjust diet and environment

behavior modicifation

occasionally meds are used

collars only if severe or bleeding

Question 15

self-mutilation syndrome

Answer 15

cockatoos, quakers, eclectus

very difficult to diagnosis

etiology? physogenic?

unpredictable future

Question 16

therapy for mutilators

Answer 16

clean and dress wound

prevent further destruction

provide pain relief

antibiotics

neurogenic pain: gabapentin (neurontin)

antipsychotics: haloperidol

MOA inhibitors: amitriptylline

Question 17

behavior problems in parrots

Answer 17

biting screeming, feather pullin, egg binding

poor understanding of flock mentality - they are NOT feathered dogs

Question 18

advatages to foraging

Answer 18

decrease stress induced behaviors

improves strength and foot health

decreased obesity

mental stimulation

teaches independent play

Question 19

imprinted birds that try to pair-bond with the owner can lead to ____

Answer 19

territorial cage aggression

dominant aggression toward other humans

exagerated hormonal behaviors

Question 20

over bonding leads to _______ in parrots

Answer 20

chronic reproductive stimulation

Question 21

predisposing factors for reproductive disorders

Answer 21

environment: long photoperiod (perpetual spring), preceived nest area (cage)
behavior: pair bond with human

food availability: high fat foods in abundance

Question 22

reproductive tract disease

Answer 22

excessive egg laying

egg binding and dystocia

egg yolf peritonitis

hypocalcemia

pathologic fractures

oviductal and cloacal prolapse

tumors

Question 23

egg binding is associated with

Answer 23

over-laying

poor dietary calcium (seeds)

oversized or poorly shelled eggs

uterine inertia

poor musculature

Question 24

treatment of egg-binding

Answer 24

medical first: calcium, fluids, heat, dextrose, pain meds

sedated extraction

surgery: hysterectomy

prevent more laying: leuprolide (lupron)

Question 25

causes of testicular hyperplasia

Answer 25

normal seasonal changes in some species

over-stimulation = testicular hyperplasia

Question 26

how does lupron work

Answer 26

GnRH agonist

initial surge of hormones → negative feedback shuts down repro tract, lasts 2.5-3 weeks

Question 27

lupron uses

Answer 27

egg laying, testicular masses, ovarian cycts and tumors

ferret adrenal disease

Question 28

T/F Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic pathogen associated with immune suppression in birds

Answer 28

True

species predilection: AG, macaws, pionus; most common in seed eaters

Question 29

diagnosis of aspergillosis

Answer 29

routine bloodwork suggestive but not diagnostic (EPH helpful)

radiographs essential

biopsy and histopath ideal

Question 30

treatment of aspirgilosis

Answer 30

poor response in advanced cases

long term anti-fungal therapy: azoles

amphotericin IV or IT

debulk granulomas

nebulize with meds

Question 31

T/F aspergillosis is contagious between birds

Answer 31

False

not contagious between birds but environmental conditions that lead to the disease can be shared by other flock members

Question 32

causes of upper respiratory infections

Answer 32

bacterial causes common

hypovitaminosis A predisposes

mycoplasma and chylamydia common in young birds

oral/choanal masses can block sinus

Question 33

what can mimic URI

Answer 33

oral masses

Question 34

how to handle to dyspneic bird

Answer 34

quick exam: oral cavity, palpate abdomen

oxygenate before and after handling

multiple meds: pain, diuretic, sedative antibiotic

walk away

Question 35

treating the emergency dyspneic bird

Answer 35

torb

midazolam/diazepam

lasix

enrogloxacin

dexamethasone

wait and later: finish exam, sive SQ fluids, TNT for quick assessment tests (PCV, GLU)