DL: Special species

Question 1

What should you tell owner in all cases of feather plucking in pet parrot?

Answer 1

may not be a quick fix - very common problem but so many causes it is hard to treat

Question 2

Outline the basic features of macaws

Answer 2

• Blue and Gold is commonest colour
• sexually monomorphic
• lifespan 30-50 years
• breeding age 4-8 years

Question 3

How do you approach a problem of feather plucking in parrot?

Answer 3

• work out pattern of where feathers are plucked
• remember it is more often a secondary than a primary skin problem in birds
• but it is good/easy to rule in/out primary diseases (ectoparasites - rare, bacteria/fungi and hypersensitivity)
• once you rule out primary or secondary disease, consider behaviour

Question 4

Diagnostics for feather plucking

Answer 4

• normal skin work up for primary disease:
• standard procedures: e.g. hair pluck, coat brush
• thorough exam
• general health screen for systemic disease (bloods and xray)

Question 5

Where do you take blood from in birds?

Answer 5

wing/ brachial vein or in small birds, the jugular vein under GA

Question 6

Possible dietary causes of feather plucking in parrots

Answer 6

• inadequate, unbalanced diets
• vit A deficiency
• mineral deficiency
• TE def especially Zn
• amino acid deficient
• fat rich diet / obesity

Question 7

Environmental factors causing feather plucking

Answer 7

• smokey and fatty atmosphere
• dry and dusty
• infrequent bathing
• low light levels

Question 8

What systemic disease can cause feather plucking?

Answer 8

liver disease

Question 9

Infectious causes of feather plucking

Answer 9

• bacterial dermatitis or folliculitis
• fungi - ringworm
• virus - PBFD, polyomavirus
• mange mite (Cnemidocoptes)

Question 10

How long can snake mites live in the environment?

Answer 10

up to 40 weeks

Question 11

How can you confirm ectoparasite infestation in snakes?

Answer 11

• general exam (you may see them between the scales)

- wipe body down with damp cloth)

Question 12

Why might a snake spend a lot of time bathing?

Answer 12

ectoparasite infection and the snake is trying to drown the ectoparasites (e.g. snake mite)

Question 13

Tx - ectoparasites in snakes

Answer 13

• ivermectin injection once/ week (NEVER TO TORTOISES OR CROCODILES BECAUSE TOXIC)
• fipronil/frontline spray once/ week wiped over animal
• always check data sheets
• clean/ change environment