Critical Avian Care

Question 1

When triaging what signs mean a bird needs to be seen ASAP?

Answer 1

• Fluffed and ruffled posture
• Weakness and partially closed eyes
• Respiratory signs
  
  • Pronounced dyspnea
  • Prolonged panting or gasping for air
  • Change in breathing or abnormal respiratory sounds
  • Tail bobbing
• Bleeding or injury
• Lack of normal response to stimuli and incoordination
• Marked abdominal distention & prolapse
• Anorexia (especially in smaller birds)

Question 2

How should birds be triaged?

Answer 2

• Observe bird, cage, and contents before considering restraint
• Oxygen and heat
• Obtain history (new vs old)
• Quick physical exam

Question 3

What does Dyspnea look like in a bird?

Answer 3

• Excessive sternal motion
• Open mouth breathing
• Extended neck
• Tachypnea
• Head bob, tail bob
• Wings extended away from the body

Question 4

What should be done for a dyspneic bird?

Answer 4

• Do NOT restrain
• Oxygen cage
• Air sac tube
  
  • alternative to endotracheal intubation
  • Emergencies
    
    • foreign body
    • granuloma
    • neoplasia

Question 5

What injuries can result in hemorrhage in birds?

Answer 5

• Damaged nails
• Blood feathers
• Skin wounds
• Other trauma:
  
  • Fractures
  • Shot

Question 6

How can hemorrhage in birds be addressed?

Answer 6

• Silver nitrate stick
• Wound powder, flour
• sustained pressure
• surgical glue
• Sutures
• Pull “blood” feathers

Question 7

What are causes for seizures in birds?

Answer 7

• Hypocalcemia
  
  • African grey parrots
• Hypoglycemia
  
  • Neonates
  • Raptors
• Epilepsy
• Others (infectious, toxins)

Question 8

What is general supportive care for birds?

Answer 8

• Clean, quiet, dark environment
• Minimize stress
• Hospital cage
• Oxygen
• Heat (w/70% RH)
  
  • 85-90F adults
  • 94F babies
• Low perches or no perches
• Easily accessible food

Question 9

How is dehydration assessed in birds?

Answer 9

• History
• Turgor / refill of wing vein (basilic)
• Sunken eyes
• Tacky mucous membranes
• Skin tent and sliding
• PCV, TP, BUN

Question 10

How can one estimate fluid requirements for birds?

Answer 10

• Estimate dehydration (%) x body weight (g) = fluid deficit
• 5-10% dehydration = 50-100 ml/kg fluid deficit
• Deficit is generally replaced over 12-24 hours with maintenance fluids
• Maintenance fluids 50 ml/kg/day
• Deficit + Maintenance = total need

Question 11

How is fluid therapy administered to birds?

Answer 11

• Oral administration (PO)
  
  • mildly dehydrated birds
  • Maintenance
  • +/- in conjunction with SC or IV/IO
• Subcutaneous (SC)
  
  • most common route
  • mild to moderate dehydration
  • maintenance
• Intravenous (IV) / Intraosseous (IO)
  
  • Sever dehydration
  • Severe hypovolemia / shock
  • Bolus or CRI
    *

Question 12

What veins can be used for IV fluids?

Answer 12

• Basilic vein
• Medial Metatarsal Vein
• Jugular vein