Avian

Anatomy• Feathers

– Contour (body & flight feathers)– Plume (down)

• Moulting – Process of shedding and regrowing feathers

• Delicate skin• No diaphragm• Usually only left side of female repro tract functional• Modified skeleton (pneumatic bones)

Anatomy• 4 chambered heart• Lungs

– Unidirectional flow, fixed (do not expand)

• Air sacs (nine)– Communicate with pneumatic bones, connect to lung

directly via primary or secondary bronchus– Act as a bellows system, using the sternum, to push air

through the lungs

• Nucleated red blood cells• Heterophils (like neutrophils in mammals)

Anatomy• Short digestive transit time (3-12h)• High metabolism• Choana

– Located on the roof of the mouth. It is a slit that connects through some passages to the nostrils.

• Beak• Crop – out pouching of esophagus• Glandular stomach (proventriculus)• Muscular gizzard (ventriculus)• Cloaca

– Coprodeum (digestive), urodeum (urinary), proctodeum

Anatomy

• Renal portal system• No urinary bladder• Heart rate varies from 150 to 1400 bpm • Body temperature averages 105 F• Poorly developed sense of taste & smell• Acute vision – eyeballs fixed but head can rotate,

voluntary control of iris muscles• Hearing range similar to humans

Gender Terms• Males

– >12m - rooster, cock – <12m – cockerel– Castrated – capon

• Females– <12m - pullet– >12m – hen

• Young – chick

• Chicken raised/used for meat – broiler• Chicken raised/used for egg production - layer

Sexual Maturity

Avg. Captive Life Span (max recorded)

African Grey Parrots

4-6y 15y (50+y)

Budgies 6m 6y (18y)

Cockatiels 6-12m 6y (32y)

Cockatoos 1-6y 15y (60+y)

Macaws 4-7y 15y (50+y)

Amazon Parrots

4-6y 15y (80y)

Domestic chicken

5m – 1y 10-11y commercial layer: no >2-2.5y

Birds are popular pets

^ "Industry Statistics & Trends". American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. Retrieved 2009-12-14.

Animal

Number of U.S. households

that own a pet (millions)

Total number of pets ownedin the U.S. (millions)

Dog 45.6 77.5

Cat 38.2 93.6

Freshwater fish 13.3 171.7

Bird 6.0 15.0

Falconiformes, Strigiformes

http://gulfnews.com/in-focus/outdoors/great-outdoors-2009/a-rich-heritage-of-sport-1.28209

• Raptors – birds of prey• Hawks, falcons, owls

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/multimedia/2007/11/pl_creature?slide=7&slideView=1

http://www.parrot-bird.com/masked-lovebird-pictures.html

http://www.dailypictures.info/free-pictures/1726/free-animals-pictures/major-mitchell-cockatoo.html

Psittacines

http://forums.avianavenue.com/breeders-boulevard/24187-budgie-breeding-what-pairs-what-babies.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rose-ringed_Parakeet_(Psittacula_krameri)_-blue_mutation2c.jpg

Macaws, lovebirds, parrots, conures, cockatoos, cockatiels, budgerigars, parakeets

Hooked beakTwo toes forward,

two toes back

Passeriformes, Piciformes

http://palscience.com/science/ultra-high-reselution-pictures-of-the-animal-kingdom

http://www.zastavki.com/eng/Animals/Birds/wallpaper-5475.htm

Passeriformes, Piciformes

http://pakshikoodaram.blogspot.com/

Canaries, finches, mynahs, toucans

Perching birdsStraight beakThree toes forward, one

toe back

Columbiformes

http://www.zastavki.com/eng/Animals/Birds/wallpaper-12881.htm

http://www.pigeonracingpigeon.com/2010/03/13/racing-pigeon-school/

Pigeons, doves

Ratities• Ostrich, emu, rhea, cassowary, kiwi

Ratities

http://www.infobarrel.com/Media/Emu_bird

http://www.downwallpapers.com/animals_birds_kiwi_bird-wallpapers.html

http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/worlds-most-dangerous-bird.html

http://lionparmesan.wordpress.com/2010/09/26/a-day-in-the-country/

Anseriformes

• Ducks, swans, geese, screamers

http://www.123rf.com/photo_7611567_peacock-or-peafowl--animalia-chordata-aves-galliformes-phasianidae-pavo.html

http://www.haryana-online.com/fauna/birds/blue_peacock.htm

Galliformes• Chickens, guinea fowl, peafowl, pheasants,

turkeys, quail

http://www.dailypictures.info/free-pictures/1415/free-animals-pictures/breaking-out.html, massaudubon.org

Sicilian Buttercup (bantam)

• Angelina Germanotta

Egyptian Fayoumi (bantam)

• Julie Newmar?or

• Cleopatra

Dorking (bantam)

• Julie Andrews, a silver grey dorking

Polish (bantam)

• Dolly Parton – white• Ella Fitzgerald – black• Etta James – white crested

black

Galliformes

• Do not mix different ages, species.

• Protect from predators.– Dogs, coyotes, wolves– Cats, larger birds…

31

Traveling with Birds

• Bird should always travel in its cage• All grit should be removed from cage• Evaluation of bird’s environment is helpful

information• Large birds may travel in a pet carrier

Office Visits

• Bring in primary cage if possible• Do not clean cage first• Remove food & water, but not bowls• Bring in sample of food, vitamins, etc.

33

Components of a Clinical History

• Chief complaint• Species, gender, and

age• Origin• Environment• Diet• Appetite

• Feces• Cage mates• Molting cycle• Behavior• Previous medical

history

Bird Behavior• Sounds

– Beak clicking = threatened– Tongue clicking = friendly– Singing, chattering, purring, whistling, barking

• Wing position, movement (drooping, flipping)• Head shaking/bobbing• Flashing/Dilating pupils

– Aggression, excitement, nervousness, pleasure• Flashing/Dilating pupils + tail fanning, growling…

– Back off, aggression• Feather ruffling• Panting = hot, overexerted, uncomfortable

35

Bird Restraint

• Your hands & body• Bird board• Towel restraint

• Continually watch for signs of stress• End with positive reinforcement

Restraint Techniques

• Avoid constricting chest – they need to breathe!• Watch for signs of hyperthermia• WEAPONS: Beak, feet/claws/talons, wings –

Raptors: danger from talons

Some handling tips• Warn client in advance of handling that bird may

object• Small birds: dim lights, remove toys/perches• Conures, Macaws: Use wash cloth or towel to grasp,

cover head• Some birds like to cuddle (umbrella cockatoos),

some like to step up (Amazon)• Listen to owner re: particular bird preferences

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/assets/courses/vcs727/avianident/index.html

43

Trimming of Nails

• Common procedure done by technicians• Tools

– Dremel Motor Tool– Human nail clippers– Electrocautery unit– Chemical cautery

44

45

Clipping of Wings

• Common procedure done by technicians• Indicated to reduce flight capacity

– Not a flight prevention method

• Both wings clipped for symmetry

47

48

Administration of Medication

• Oral administration– Food– Water

• Injection– Pectoral muscle mass– Caudal half of body

• Liquid suspensions into crop

49

50

Venipuncture Sites in Avian Species

• Basilic vein– Hard to immobilize and secure

• Right jugular vein– Recommended site for most species– Use restraint board for larger patients

• Medial metatarsal vein– Not satisfactory for collecting large volumes

51

Treatment Techniques

• IM injections: Pectoral or legs – draw back before injecting

• SQ injections: under wing or on back • IV ulnar (wing), medial metatarsal (leg)• Blood collection: right jugular, leg or toe nail• Choanal swab for respiratory problems• Cloacal swab for fecal check

54

Oral Examination• Avian beak speculum used to open beak• Proper and stress-free restraint important• Examination of oral cavity for issues

Avian (part II)….

56

57

Choanal Culture

• Culture should be taken when birds are exhibiting upper respiratory signs

• Culturette placed in rostral area to prevent cross-contamination with flora in oral cavity

59

Crop Wash

• Tube inserted into crop• Simple flush performed• Testing methods:

– Wet mount microscopic examination– Stained cytology examination– Culture and sensitivity

• Important technique to learn

60

Bird Feces• Consistency of normal feces

– Dark, solid feces– White solid urates (uric acid)– Liquid urine

• Evaluation of stool important first step in diagnosis

61

Cloacal Swab

• Cytologic evaluation • Done on psittacine species• Determinations:

– Bacterial flora of lower GI tract– Inflammatory cells– Culture and sensitivity tests– Viral isolation

62

Radiography

• Important diagnostic tool• Can be stressful• Best performed when sedated or

anesthetized• Views:

– Lateral– Ventrodorsal– Selected extremities

63

64

Positioning for Radiography

• Proper positioning important• Avian restraint board essential

65

66

A Sick Bird is an Emergency

• Birds mask illness• Clients may not recognize early signs of

illness• Avian telephone inquiries should be

considered emergencies• Sudden deaths often occur

Signs of Illness

• Limited early clinical signs

Weakness Falling from perch

Trauma Bleeding

Anorexia Cage bottom

Signs of Illness

• Posture:

slumped exaggerated

wings held out tail bobbing• Physical signs:

Nasal discharge Respiratory noises

Swelling around eyes Ruffled feathers

Change in droppings Prominent keel

Medical Problems

• Toxins • Fumes from household products• Paints, pesticides• Plants• Lead poisoning• Predators!

Parasites

• External - Mites, ticks

Easily treated with ivermectin or dilute carbaryl dusting powder

• Internal – coccidia, nematodes, giardia

71

Chlamydophila psittaci

• Commonly diagnosed in bird species• Highly contagious to humans—zoonoses

– Respiratory transmission

• Precautions– Isolate bird from other birds and people– Gloves and masks used by personnel– Careful disposal of feces, cage items, and

cleaning products by bagging

Psittacosis (Chlamydiosis)

• Signs: green diarrhea, pneumonia, nasal and ocular discharge, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, pericarditis, airsaculitis

• Treatment: Antibiotics (typically tetracyclines); supportive care

• Zoonotic!

More bird diseases

• Avian Pox• Newcastle disease• Mareks disease• Pachecos disease• Beak and Feather disease• Avian Flu

74

Bird Hospitalization Needs• Isolation

– Minimizes stress– Prevents contamination of potentially

pathogenic bacteria– Special area for contagious birds

• Visual barrier (cage cover)• Disposable perches• Temperature control: 80°-90° F best• Observation for signs of heat stress or

shivering

75

Nutritional Care During Hospitalization

• Start with small amounts of food, frequently• Increase volumes slowly• Monitor crop for prompt emptying• Examine stools for consistency• Weigh bird 2-3 times daily

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Housing Needs If cage bound – large enough to extend wings Appropriate perches Draft Free Cleaned daily

Copyright © 2010 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nutrition

85% of medical problems Need variety Vitamin/mineral supplements Sunlight

78

Feeding Pet Birds

• Common nutritional problems– Inadequate diets– Poor feeding practices

• Patients may need nutritional support, different from normal diet

79

Dietary-Induced Diseases

• Each species of bird has differences in nutritional demands

• Diseases occur frequently in psittacine and passerine bird species, due to diverse nutrimental requirements

• Feeding and nutritional disorders can result from all-seed diets and diets supplemented with fruits, vegetables, and other human foods

80

Small Birds

• High metabolic rates• High-energy requirements• Need continuous supply of food• Natural diet of insects, fruits, seeds• Primary natural diet is not seeds

– Seeds deficient in nutrients

81

Primary Seed Diets

• Composed primarily of sunflower seeds– High in fat– Low in calcium– Low in vitamin A– Perpetuates obesity and/or nutritional

deficiencies

82

Fruits and Vegetables

• They are eaten preferentially because of high water content

• They dilute key nutrients present in nutritionally balanced commercial foods

83

Common Avian Nutritional Requirements

• All birds have similar nutritional requirements– Water, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates,

fats, vitamins, inorganic elements, minerals

• Different species require different amounts• Calcium required in largest quantity

– Hypocalcemia can be alleviated

84

Proteins

• Approximately 20 amino acids required by companion birds

• 10 of the 20 are essential amino acids

• Infant birds need glycine and proline

• Increased proteins may be needed during reproductive cycle

• Insects may supply increased protein needs

85

Commercial Avian Foods

• Benefits– Nutritionally balanced– Convenient

• Disadvantages– No testing for nutritional adequacy

86

Seed Diets

• Seeds are not best or most natural food

• Seeds in most commercial mixes are not native to areas where most pet bird species originate

87

Well-Balanced Seed Mixtures

• Can supply essential nutrients• Rarely appropriate as sole nutritional source

88

Homemade Mixed-Food Diets

• An alternative if bird will not accept commercially prepared foods or seed mixtures

• Can result in excellent feathering and appropriate body mass

• Will not cause nutritional deficiencies, if prepared carefully from scientifically developed recipes

• Ensure owner compliance!

89

Mineral Grit

• Dietary supplement• Insoluble grit remains in gizzard

– Quartz or silica

• Soluble grit is completely digested– Oyster shells or cuttlefish

• Over-supplementing can be harmful

90

Water

• Single most important dietary component

• Makes up >50% of a bird's body weight

• Intake is important for thermoregulation

• Breeding females require increased amounts of water

91

Water Requirements

• Birds should not go more than a few hours without access to fresh, clean water

• Some foods require free water for efficient digestion and absorption

• Provide water in easily accessible container

• Avoid large water bowls to discourage bathing