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CVNT2 > Hospitalisation and Nursing of Birds > Flashcards

Hospitalisation and Nursing of Birds Flashcards

1
Q

what are the main factors to remember for good parrot husbandry?

A

best perches are natural branches from non-toxic trees

regular bathing/misting important

12 hour day/night cycle - cover/move cage if required

UV light important for synthesis of vitamin D (esp african greys)

enrichment important - foraging for food

rotate variety of toys - safe destructible items

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2
Q

what’s wrong with seed-based diets?

A

high in fat and calories

deficient in vitamins and minerals (A, D3. B12, E, K, calcium, iodine)

poor calcium:phosphorous ratio

deficient in essential amino acids (methionine, lysine) and pigments, fibre, omega 3 fatty acids

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3
Q

what are the safety concerns associated with seed-based diets?

A

can be contaminated with fungal spores (Aspergillus) or aflatoxins

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4
Q

why isn’t coating the seeds with supplement valuable?

A

seeds are dehusked when consumed by the bird

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5
Q

what is the most common cause of disease and reduced lifespan in pet birds?

A

malnutrition

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6
Q

what does calcium/vitamin D deficiency in birds lead to?

A

nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (metabolic bone disease)

hypocalcaemia (seizures in african greys)

thin shelled eggs, dystocia (egg binding)

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7
Q

how is metabolic bone disease diagnosed?

A

radiography (pathological fractures, long bone deformity)

serum ionised calcium

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8
Q

how is metabolic bone disease treated?

A

calcium/vit D supplementation e.g. calcium borogluconate

correct diet

UVB lighting

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9
Q

in which species is obesity common?

A

amazons
budgies
cockatiels

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10
Q

what can obesity in birds lead to?

A

hepatic lipidosis - respiratory compromise, diarrhoea

atherosclerosis - can cause aortic rupture and sudden death

lipomas (common in budgies)

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11
Q

what does hypovitaminosis A lead o?

A

diarrhoea

poor feather/skin quality

squamous metaplasia of epithelial surfaces

secondary bacterial/fungal infections

rhinoliths, blunted choanal papillae, salivary gland abscesses

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12
Q

how can you covert a seed junkie onto pellets?

A

mix pellets with seeds and gradually reduce percentage of seeds

limit time seeds offered

place pellets on mirror

disguise pellets e.g. peanut butter

offer from owners plate

hospitalise bird

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13
Q

which species are more prone to feather-damaging behaviour?

A

african greys, cockatoos (more intelligent species)

female birds

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14
Q

do wild birds display feather damaging behaviour?

A

no - condition of captivity (important welfare issue)

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15
Q

what is the aetiology of feather damaging behaviour?

A

difficult to determine - often multifactorial

often presented at a late/chronic stage

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16
Q

how do you manage feather damaging behaviour?

A

first rule out medical causes using appropriate diagnostic tests

implement environmental/husbandry improvements (foraging)

primarily behavioural in some cases - address

often difficult to treat - client compliance/commitment essential

manage expectations - complete resolution may never be achieved

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17
Q

what environmental improvements can be made to manage feather damaging behaviour?

A

diet change to pellets

increase humidity - spray daily, encourage to bathe, humidifier

allow max 12 hours light

UVB light provision

improve ventilation/no smoking

decrease stress- cage in secure location

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18
Q

how can we encourage foraging in birds?

A

increase size of pellets/food items

cut food items into exciting/new shapes, offer different colours/textures/tastes

spread out daily ration of food across multiple bowls in different locations

stuff corrugated cardboard with food items that the bird has to peel apart to remove the items

artificial grass matt on cage bottom and scatter food across

commercial puzzle toys

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19
Q

which disease processes can be linked with feather damaging behaviour?

A 
infections 
toxins 
organ disease (inc heart/arterial) 
nutritional imbalances
excessive hormonal stimulation 
reproductive disease
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20
Q

why do sick birds need to be seen immediately?

A

birds are very good at hiding signs of illness - often in critical condition by the time symptoms are displayed

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21
Q

what are some of the signs of illness in birds?

A

fluffed up, depressed, sleepy

change in water/food intake - anorexia, polyphagia, vomiting/regurgitation

change in behaviour/activity

change of perching height/on floor

tail bobbing, open mouthed breathing

sneezing, voice change, periocular swelling

discharge (ears, eyes, nares, oral cavity, cloaca, uropygial gland)

wings hanging down abnormally, wide legged stance

straining, coelomic swelling

change in droppings (quantity, colour, consistency)

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22
Q

what are the handling considerations for birds?

A

make sure windows and doors closed and extractor fans off

support body and keep wings under control

don’t restrict sternal movements - birds have no diaphragm and could suffocate

use separate towel/cloth for each bird and gloves only for raptors (not parrots)

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23
Q

what are the considerations for restraining parrots?

A

restrain head and neck first in a towel to avoid a nasty bite

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24
Q

what can be done to help catch smaller birds?

A

dim the lights

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25
Q

which part of the body should be restrained first in birds of prey?

A

feet

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26
Q

what are the considerations for a bird clinical exam?

A

systematic approach important - start at head

may need to be stabilised before thorough exam

consider GA if bird wild/stressed/very ill

diagnostics important

get everything ready before bird is handled

always get a weight

assess body condition

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27
Q

how can you assess body condition?

A

palpate pectoral muscle mass

subcutaneous fat deposits

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28
Q

what are the considerations for hospitalising birds?

A

quiet, away from predators

more secure if high up (unless ground-dwelling species)

appropriate perches/substrate

food/water dish easily accessible from perch

pond-water for waterfowl; baths for other species

tail guard for raptors

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29
Q

what is the purpose of a tail guard?

A

prevent tail getting scuffed and soiled

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30
Q

what are the hospitalisation considerations for sick birds?

A

keep warm 30° - radiant heat best

offer normal/familiar diet

high metabolic rate - quickly use up energy reserves

will not eat in the dark

weight daily (same time each day)

record-keeping very important!

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31
Q

what safety considerations need to be made with sick birds?

A

treat sick birds first but infectious birds last

hygiene and biosecurity important

zoonotic considerations e.g. Chlamydia psittaci

don’t keep sick birds in same air space as other birds OR wild birds with pet birds

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32
Q

how does metabolic rate affect medication admin?

A

high metabolic rate in birds requires increased doses and frequency compared to mammals

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33
Q

can you give bird medications in water?

A

no - not reliable, may result in bird not drinking

34
Q

can you give birds medication in food?

A

not reliable, crop tubing/direct administration preferable

35
Q

what routes of administration of medication are available in birds?

A

oral - crop tubing

injectable

flushing nares/sinuses useful for upper respiratory tract infections

nebulisation useful for lower respiratory tract infections

36
Q

what route of admin should be avoided in birds?

A

topical - will affect feather structure, may be ingested as bird preens

37
Q

why do we crop feed birds?

A

to provide nutritional support for sick birds

38
Q

what size tube should be used for crop feeding?

A

largest possible - reduces chances of accidentally placing it into the trachea

39
Q

what materials can crop tubing be?

A

rubber plastic metal

40
Q

which type of tube should be used for crop feeding parrots?

A

metal

or with gag to prevent biting through tube if plastic/rubber

41
Q

how do you insert a crop feeding tube?

A

extend neck and pass tube into left side of mouth, over tongue and into oesophagus

palpate right side base of neck to confirm tube in crop (feel separate trachea)

42
Q

how often should you crop feed a bird?

A

every 2-8 hours depending on species

43
Q

what temperature should crop fluids/food be at?

A

38-40°C

44
Q

what can be crop fed?

A 
hand-rearing formula 
emeraid 
hills a/d 
ground up waterfowl pellets 
critical care formula 
fluids
45
Q

what injections sites are used in birds?

A

subcut
IM
IV
IO

46
Q

why can’t you give birds intracoelomic fluids?

A

due to air sac system

47
Q

which sites are used for subcut injection?

A

inguinal fold

interscapular region

48
Q

which sites are used for IM injection?

A

distal third pectoral muscles (avoids pectoral artery)

legs

49
Q

which sites are used for IV injection?

A

jugular veins
basilic veins
metatarsal veins

50
Q

which sites are used for IO injection?

A

ulna

tibiotarsus

51
Q

why aren’t the humerus or femur used for IO injection?

A

often pneumatised and connected to the air sac system

52
Q

how is the wing kept immobilised during IO injection?

A

with a figure 8 bandage

53
Q

what are the fluid therapy maintenance requirements for birds?

A

50-100ml/kg/day (higher for passerines)

54
Q

what fluid is used for fluid therapy in birds?

A

lactated ringers appropriate for most species

55
Q

how can you assess dehydration in sick birds?

A

assume all sick birds 5-10% dehydrated

i.e. 50-100ml per kg

56
Q

what should the fluid therapy schedule be in birds?

A

give maintenance + 1/2 deficit on day one

give maintenance + rest of deficit over days 2-3

57
Q

how much fluids should be given orally/subcut/IV?

A

oral = 10ml/kg

subcut = 20ml/kg (inguinal fold)

IV = 10-20ml/kg bolus OR 10ml/kg/hr infusion

58
Q

can you crop tube fluids?

A

yes as long as bird can hold up own head and has no significant GI disease which could affect absorption

59
Q

what diagnostic procedures are available for birds?

A 
radiography 
biochemistry, haematology 
PCR, serology 
culture 
cytology e.g. crop wash/ aspirates, faecal
faecal parasitology
endoscopy, biopsy 
post-mortem exams
60
Q

why isn’t ultrasonography used in birds?

A

air sac system prevents diagnostic images

unless bird has coelomic fluid

61
Q

what are the standard radiography views?

A

right lateral

ventrodorsal

62
Q

can radiography be done conscious?

A

no, must be under GA

63
Q

how do you position a bird for a right lateral radiograph?

A

tape wings out of the way and tape legs caudally/one forward and one backwards

64
Q

how do you position a bird for a VD radiograph?

A

wings and legs extended and taped

65
Q

how many views are taken for radiography?

A

2 views at 90°

66
Q

what is barium contrast used for?

A

barium contrast radiographs useful for GI tract and investigation of coelomic masses (15-20ml/kg)

67
Q

what can endoscopy be used for?

A

visualising trachea, upper GI tract, cloaca

sexing monomorphic species

looking at lungs, air sacs, kidneys, gonads, GI tract, spleen, liver - can be biopsied

68
Q

which veins can be used for blood collection?

A

right jugular - featherless tract overlies this region

basilic vein - media elbow

median metatarsal vein - larger birds

69
Q

why must caution be taken when collecting blood from the basilic (deep ulnar) vein?

A

prone to haematoma formation - pressure must be applied for some time after venepuncture

70
Q

how much blood can safely be collected?

A

1% body weight in healthy bird, less if sick

71
Q

which type of tube should be used for blood sampling?

A

heparin or EDTA in most species

some species will lyse in EDTA (not species seen in practice)

72
Q

why are automated cell counts unreliable?

A

avian erythrocytes are nucleated - manual method required to determine white cell count and differential

73
Q

why might sinus flushing be performed?

A

for treatment or for diagnostic samples (e.g. cytology, culture and sensitivity)

74
Q

how can sinus flushing be performed?

A

via nares (upside down) or via needle into sinus (GA)

75
Q

what can happen if a new feather is damaged before the blood supply retracts?

A

if blood feather damaged before this may bleed profusely

76
Q

how are new feather supported?

A

by old feathers

77
Q

when is wing clipping indicated? why?

A

rarely indicated, never in young parrots

can lead to sternal injury from crash landing, psychological problems, feather plucking

bird may be still be able to glide/fly away

78
Q

when can wing clipping be useful?

A

temporarily useful while training dominant/aggressive bird

79
Q

how should wing clipping be performed?

A

alway leave 2-3 distal primaries to provide protection when new feathers moult through

cut so that ends are underneath covert feathers and not sticking out

cut as few as possible, never cut a blood feather

80
Q

how should nail clipping be performed?

A

with a dremmel
or nail clippers with care
extra care with black nails - cannot see quick

81
Q

where should a microchip be inserted?

A

distal third pectoral muscles to avoid pectoral artery

direct microchip downwards, tissue glue to close skin

82
Q

how is euthanasia performed?

A

best done under gaseous GA
give IV into jugular, wing vein or medial metatarsal
can inject into liver if unable to access a vein

CVNT2 (47 decks)

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