Common Problems in Pet Birds Flashcards
T/F bird skin has no glands
False
Have one gland - uropygial (preen) gland
what is wrong with these birds
nothing - baby birds look scruffy
what are stress bars
interruption in growth of feathers from stressful event
T/F inpreened feathers, stress bars, and trauma are common in juvenile birds
true
causes of poor preening
hand raised babies
over-zealous mates
stressful environment
medical conditions leading to poor feathering
nutritional disorders
endocrine problems (T4)
parasites: lice and mites
infectious rare (PBFD)
poor diet = _______
poor integument
treatment for scaley face and leg mite (knemidocoptes)
ivermectin
T/F most birds just pull out feathers, generally are not indentifiably sick
True
mutilation of skin and muscles uncommon, usually a lifelong problem, disease of captivity
how to work up the plucking bird
good history
thorough physical exam
screening blood work
possible rads, fecal testing, skin biopsy
determine if medical vs behavioral
T/F this bird is bored and blucking its feathers
False
this is psittacine Beak and Feather Disease - notice the feather dystophy on the face/head
what can be helpful in diagnosing feather disorders
skin biopsies
what is seen on histopathology of skin biospies
damage from plucking
paired skin biopsies
inflammation in non-plucked areas
inflammatory skin disease?
atrophy of feather folicles
viral inclusions (PBFD)
therapy for feather destruction
adjust diet and environment
behavior modicifation
occasionally meds are used
collars only if severe or bleeding
self-mutilation syndrome
cockatoos, quakers, eclectus
very difficult to diagnosis
etiology? physogenic?
unpredictable future
therapy for mutilators
clean and dress wound
prevent further destruction
provide pain relief
antibiotics
neurogenic pain: gabapentin (neurontin)
antipsychotics: haloperidol
MOA inhibitors: amitriptylline
behavior problems in parrots
biting screeming, feather pullin, egg binding
poor understanding of flock mentality - they are NOT feathered dogs
advatages to foraging
decrease stress induced behaviors
improves strength and foot health
decreased obesity
mental stimulation
teaches independent play
imprinted birds that try to pair-bond with the owner can lead to ____
territorial cage aggression
dominant aggression toward other humans
exagerated hormonal behaviors
over bonding leads to _______ in parrots
chronic reproductive stimulation
predisposing factors for reproductive disorders
environment: long photoperiod (perpetual spring), preceived nest area (cage)
behavior: pair bond with human
food availability: high fat foods in abundance
reproductive tract disease
excessive egg laying
egg binding and dystocia
egg yolf peritonitis
hypocalcemia
pathologic fractures
oviductal and cloacal prolapse
tumors
egg binding is associated with
over-laying
poor dietary calcium (seeds)
oversized or poorly shelled eggs
uterine inertia
poor musculature
treatment of egg-binding
medical first: calcium, fluids, heat, dextrose, pain meds
sedated extraction
surgery: hysterectomy
prevent more laying: leuprolide (lupron)
causes of testicular hyperplasia
normal seasonal changes in some species
over-stimulation = testicular hyperplasia
how does lupron work
GnRH agonist
initial surge of hormones → negative feedback shuts down repro tract, lasts 2.5-3 weeks
lupron uses
egg laying, testicular masses, ovarian cycts and tumors
ferret adrenal disease
T/F Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic pathogen associated with immune suppression in birds
True
species predilection: AG, macaws, pionus; most common in seed eaters
diagnosis of aspergillosis
routine bloodwork suggestive but not diagnostic (EPH helpful)
radiographs essential
biopsy and histopath ideal
treatment of aspirgilosis
poor response in advanced cases
long term anti-fungal therapy: azoles
amphotericin IV or IT
debulk granulomas
nebulize with meds
T/F aspergillosis is contagious between birds
False
not contagious between birds but environmental conditions that lead to the disease can be shared by other flock members
causes of upper respiratory infections
bacterial causes common
hypovitaminosis A predisposes
mycoplasma and chylamydia common in young birds
oral/choanal masses can block sinus
what can mimic URI
oral masses
how to handle to dyspneic bird
quick exam: oral cavity, palpate abdomen
oxygenate before and after handling
multiple meds: pain, diuretic, sedative antibiotic
walk away
treating the emergency dyspneic bird
torb
midazolam/diazepam
lasix
enrogloxacin
dexamethasone
wait and later: finish exam, sive SQ fluids, TNT for quick assessment tests (PCV, GLU)
