Pet Birds

Question 1

What sex gets the Pearl mutation?

Answer 1

Female

Question 2

What do you call an interruptuon in feather growth due to stressful events? In what birds are they normal/expected?

Answer 2

Stress bars

Normal in BABY/juvenile birds

Question 3

How do you treat mites in birds?

Answer 3

Ivermectin

Question 4

T/F: During molting birds drop feathers randomly.

Answer 4

False, occurs in a pattern

Question 5

What infectious disease causes poor feathering?

Answer 5

PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease) [circovirus]

Rare

Question 6

T/F: During shelling, the full circulating calcium in withdrawn by the uterus every 15 minutes.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What drug can you use to treat testicular masses/hyperplasia as well as ovian cysts and tumors?

Answer 7

Leuprolide Acetate (Lupron)

Also for Ferret adrenal disease

Question 8

What is a bird’s only gland?

Answer 8

Uropygial/ preen gland

Question 9

How do you treat egg-binding?

Answer 9

First meds: Calcium fluids, heat, pain meds

2nd try sedated extration/ ovocentesis (per cloaca)

Last resort= surgery (hysterectomy)

To prevent more laying give Leuprolide (Lupron)

Question 10

T/F: All bird lice bite.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Sup with this guy?

Answer 11

Retained feather sheaths (maybe he doesn’t have a cage buddy to help him preen)

Question 12

What does hypovitaminosis A do to the integument?

Answer 12

Causes squamous metaplasia

Hyperkeratosis (beak, feet)

Question 13

How many oviducts/ovaries do birds have and what’s the location?

Answer 13

One

Left side

Question 14

T/F: Birds do not have mast cells nor histamine.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

Over-stimulation of a male bird can cause testicular ______. This can present with pain, lameness and __________.

Answer 15

Hyperplasia

Leg chewing

Question 16

What is the first step for a bird who is severely self-mutilating to prevent further damage?

Answer 16

Collar / bandage

Question 17

Is PBFD a disease of young or old birds?

Answer 17

Young

Fatal

Question 18

Where in the bird does the egg spend the most time?

Answer 18

Shell gland/uterus

Question 19

What antipsychotic drug can you use in a bird with behavioral issues?

Answer 19

Haloperidol

Works immediatly

Question 20

Which is male and which is female? What type of bird are these?

Answer 20

Females have patterns on wings (left)

Careful when sexing a juvenile!

Cockatiels

Question 21

T/F: Most feather pluckers damage feathers and mutilate skin.

Answer 21

False, most do not mutilate skin

Question 22

What can over-bonding lead to in parrots?

Answer 22

Chronic reproductive stimulation

(Excessive egg laying -> binding, dystocia, yolk peritonitis, hypocalcemia…)

Question 23

What can a lack of beta carotene cause in red and organge birds?

Answer 23

Loss of feather pigmentation

Question 24

In small birds, such as budgerigars, cockatiels, and love birds, there is an association between feather plucking and what disease?

Answer 24

Giardia

Question 25

What is the most important adrenal disease that causes poor feathering?

Answer 25

Hypothyroidism

Question 26

T/F: Imprinted birds try to pair-bond with their owner, resulting in exaggerated hormonal behaviors.

Answer 26

True