CLINICAL PROCEDURES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DISEASES IN PETBIRDS
Birds have enriched the lives of many of us. They are spectacularly beautiful and possess the unique ability for flight. They are long-lived, and many of the parrots can mimic human speech. Not to mention, they are comical and entertaining. We will help you to achieve many long years of enjoyment with your friend! Your bird is probably genetically identical or closely related to its wild relatives. In the wild, if a bird shows signs of illness, it is picked out of the crowd by predators. Your bird instinctively hides symptoms of illness until it is too sick or weak to do so. If your bird is ill, no not wait to get veterinary attention! What might have been a treatable problem on the first day of illness may no longer be treatable two or three days later. To keep your friend healthy and fit, you must do your homework. You should become familiar with the natural background of your pet. You should learn as much as you can about where the species lives in the wild, what kind of social groups it forms, and learn about its natural diet. The husbandry and nutritional needs of different groups of birds are often distinct. There are frequently vast differences between even closely related species.
HANDLING OF BIRDS FOR CLINICAL EXAMINATION
Pet birds should be restrained in a way that minimizes stress and does not cause undue fear. A towel of appropriate size is very useful to handle most of the birds. If an owner has worked with the bird at home with a towel, the veterinarian may ask the owner to towel the bird and then hand it off for examination or testing. Minimizing restraint time, talking to the bird in a quiet voice, and moving slowly can help reduce stress in many birds. Many pet birds will step out of the cage or on to a hand and can be gently toweled. Some nervous birds may benefit from sedation for examination and diagnostic testing.leather gloves may be used for raptors..Before a psittacine is restrained, it should be evaluated within its enclosure.Many critically ill birds will be panic and may not survive handling. If the bird has an increased respiratory rate,breathing difficulty, or if it appears weak and poorly responsive, it should be placed in a heated 29.5°C to 32°C [85°F to 90°F]), oxygenated cage for at least 20 minutes before handling.
CROP FEEDING FEEDING IN BIRDS
Tube feeding or gavage feeding is an essential part of avian supportive care.
sick birds are often presented with the history of anorexia and glycogen stores maybe
depleted within hours in many birds secondary to a relatively high metabolic rate
.Another important indication for gavage feeding is a drop in body weight of 5% to 10% .
Estimated crop volume is 50 ml per kg(in young birds it may be up to 100ml/kg).
Begin feeding one third to one half of estimated crop volume to the critically ill patient. As
long as regurgitation does not occur,increase the volume fed over two to three feedings
.Always tube feed warm formula 100 to 105*F or 38 to 41 *C .Tube feeding should
always be the last treatment performed .Most birds are tubefed two to four times daily.
Stainless steel ball tipped feeding needles or gavage tubes are easiest to use in
birds.Flexible rubber tubing such as Silicon tube also be used in parrots when an oral
speculum is in place. The most important contraindication for the tube feeding is lack of
experience, since improper tube feeding can result in aspiration and possible death.Ifthe tube is passed forcefully it may lacerate the oropharynx and if continued food can
be injected through the laceration into the surrounding tissues potentially causing life
threatening cellulitis .
Restraint and tube passage should be practiced so that the technique may be performed efficiently safely and gently in the clinical patient. Feeding is also contraindicated in birds that are regurgitating, dehydrated or those that are not- alert, responsive or able to keep their heads elevated.
The bird should be warm and hydrated prior to feeding .Until one is proficient, tube feeding should be performed as a 2 person procedure. One person should restrain the patient and monitor it’s status while the second person passes the tube.With practice it is possible for one person to gavage feed using a ball-end metal feeding tube. Gently yet firmly stretch the neck there by straightening out the normal ‘S’ shaped curve of the avian neck and therefore straightening out the oesophagus.Palpate the thoracic inlet region before passing the tube to ensure the crop is free of food or fluid. Delayed crop emptying is a common finding in the ill avian patient .Pass the tube starting from the bird’s left.Direct the tube towards the right and down into the crop at the level of thoracic inlet. Never force the tube.
Infuse food into the crop using a steady measured pace while carefully watching the formula welling up in the back of the throat. Return the bird to its cage.Rinse and clean syringes and tubes immediately after use.
FLUID THERAPY
Fluid therapy is a vital part of avian medicine and appropriate administration of fluids is essential. Intravenous (IV)catheters (24-26G) are commonly used intraoperatively or in more stable hospitalized patients.Unfortunately intravenous catheter placement in the bird can be challenging. Bird veins can be difficult to access and the vessels are also prone to haematoma formation.Intraosseous placement is generally faster and easier in birds.Jugular catheters may be placed in birds as small as 75 grams.Catheters may be placed in the medial metatarsal veins in birds exceeding 300 grams.The basilic vein, also known as the cutaneous ulnar vein is very superficial and at particular risk for haematoma formation. Therefore this vessel is typically used only for surgical procedures. General anaesthesia is required unless the patient is extremely week. Identify the featherless track over the right jugular vein.Prepare the skin ascepticaly. Enter the vessel in the distal half to one third of the neck. Secure the catheter using butterfly tape and stay sutures.If placed cranially ,the catheter can easily come out withneck movement.loosely encircle the catheter with a padded wrap to improve stability. If the catheter is to be maintained in a conscious patient, tape the T-port to an area on the outside of the bandage that the bird is least likely to reach with its beak.Monitor the bird closely for signs of chewing and consider using an Elizabethan collar on birds with leg or wing catheters.Crystalloids are the mainstay of rehydration and maintenance fluid therapy. Colloids such as hetastarch ,whole blood or plasma are frequently indicated during resuscitation to provide sustained intravascular volume expansion .
Most debilitated birds benefit from initial administration of warmed 100-102*F crystalloids IV,IO or SC .When the birds appear stable perform diagnostics including blood pressure monitoring and further treatment. 1 to 3 bolus infusion of crystalloids (10 ml/Kg ) and colloids (5ml/Kg) can be given in the same syringe IV or IO until the blood pressure exceeds 90mm Hg systolic.
Replacement fluid volume(ml)=estimated dehydration deficit(%)x body weight(kg)x1000.
(Eg: 100 g bird with 5% dehydration require 5/100×0.1×1000=5ml)
Daily maintenance fluid requirements is 50 ml/Kg/day.
The dehydration deficit can be corrected in 24-48 hrs and the maintanence requirement in 24 hrs. Provide maintenance fluids until the bird is eating on it’s own by dividing three 3 bolus infusions over 24 hours For collection of blood same sites are used.Maximum blood can be collected is 1% of body weight.For intraosseous catheter placement,distal ulna is the site of choice.flex the carpus and identify the dorsal condyle of distal ulna.The needle is inserted just ventral to this site in a plateau like region of the bone.another site is proximal tibiotarsus,however most birds seems uncomfortable and are unable to bear weight normally…therefore this site is used intraoperatively or in an emergency situation.The needle is directed in to the tibial plateau just posterior to the cnemial crest and distally in to the marrow cavity of the tibiotarsus.The usual site for subcutaneous fluid administration is inguinal region,where leg and body wall meet. Skin fold infront of thigh or behind the thigh also can be used. Oral fluids are also effective in dehydration,but should not be given to birds that are laterally recumbent,seizuring,regurgitating or have crop stasis.
BANDAGING TECHNIQUES
- FIGURE OF 8 BANDAGE
*. Indicated for all fractures and luxations (joint dislocations) of the wing.
*. Some severe soft issue injuries require bandage immobilization of the wing.
Humerus, clavicle or coracoid fractures also require a wing-body wrap for
adequate immobilization of the joint above and below the fracture site.
- WING BODY WRAP
*. Temporary immobilization of any wing fracture or dislocation.Immobilization of
fractures involving the humerus or shoulder apparatus (combined with figure
of 8 bandage ).Use masking tape or vetrap around the bandaged wing and
under the opposite wing, positioned at the midpoint of the keel.
3.TOE BANDAGES AND ‘INTERDIGITATING’ FOOT BANDAGES
*. Localized bumble foot or other wounds or lesions where only a single toe or
set of toes is wrapped.
*. Interdigitating bandages are usually used for a wound or lesion localized on
the plantar( bottom) surface of the foot leaving the toes exposed.
AIR SAC CANNULA PLACEMENT
Used to ventilate birds other than endotracheal intubation.
Place an airsac cannula in the caudal thoracic or abdominal airsac.
A commercial airsac cannula ,cut down endotracheal tubes/balloon tipped Foley
catheters/red rubber oral feeding tubes can be used depending on size of the bird.
Select a size that approximate the size of the patient’s trachea. This procedure should
not be performed in an awake bird. The anaesthetized bird is placed in right or left
lateral recumbency with the wings taped dorsally .The cannula can be placed cranial or
caudal to the leg.For cranial approach, with the top leg pulled caudally ,the notch caudal
to the last rib, cranial to the quadriceps muscles over the femur and ventral to the lateral
process of the spine is identified (feels like a small indented,triangular space).A small
(5 mm )vertical skin incision is made with the scalpel blade and the muscles of the body
wall are bluntly dissected with a mosquito hemostat placed at right angle to the body
wall until the hemostat ‘pops’ in to the caudal thoracic airsac in the coelomic cavity.
Use extreme caution when advancing the haemostat to prevent iatrogenic puncture ofinternal organs such as Kidneys.The jaws of the hemostat can be spread while still in
place to facilitate placement of the catheter in to the airsac.It is helpful to keep the incision
as small as possible to ensure a tighter fit with the catheter in the airsac. You should see
air movement in to and out of the cannula with correct placement. Occasionally you will
have to slightly reposition the cannula if it does not seem to be patent, or sometimes
final layer of the body wall has not been penetrated and the cannula is not yet in the air
sac. Once the cannula is in the correct spot ,apply a piece of butterfly tape as close to
skin as possible ,and suture in place using 2 simple interrupted sutures between the skin
and tape.It is very important that the tape is securely adhered to the catheter in a clinical
patient ,as it could be pulled or fall out prematurely.
Antibiotics commonly used in birds
Amikacin-10-20mg/kg-im,iv-q 12-24h
Amoxycillin/clavulanate-125mg/kg-po q12h-small birds
10-15mg/kg im po q12-ratites
Amoxycillin trihydrate-20-200mg/kg po,im,q12h
Ceftiofur-10mg/kg im,sc q12-24h
Cephalexin-35-50mg/kg po,im q6-8h
Ciprofloxacin-10-40mg/kg po,iv q12h
Clindamycin-25-50mg/kg po-q12h
Doxycycline-25-50mg/kg po-q12-24h
Azithromycin-50mg/kg q24h
Marbofloxacin-10mg/kg orally,im,ivq24h
Oxytetracycline-25-200mg/kg im,orally q24h
Piperacillin-100mg/kg im,iv q12h
Sulpha +tmp-30-60mg/kg im,orally q12h
Tylosin-50mg/kg orally q24h, 25mg/kg im q 6-8h
Antifungal drugs
Fluconazole-2-10mg/kg orally q24h
Itraconazole-10-15mg/kg orally q12h
Ketoconazole-25mg/kg im,orally q12h
Voriconazole-12.5mg/kg orally q12h
Terbinafine-10-15mg/kg orally q12h
Nystatin-100,000iu/kg orally q24h
Acetic acid-16ml/litre drinking water
Antiprotozoan drugs
Carnidazole-25-30mg/kg orally q24h
Choroquin-25mg/kg followed by 15mg/kg after12h then q 24h
Clazuril -5-10mg/kg orally
Metronidazole-45-50 mg/kg orally q 24h
Ronidazole-10-20mg/kg orally q24h
Toltrazuril-10-15mg/kg orally
Sulpha+tmp-30mg/kg orally q12-24h
Antiparasitic drugs
Fenbendazole-10-50mg/kg orally q 24h
Albendazole-10-50mg/kg orally q24h
Ivermectin-0.2mg/kg
Praziquental-10-20mg/kg orallly
Niclosamide-50-250mg/kg orally,repeat in 10-14 days
Oxfendazole-10-40mg/kg orally once
Nebulization
AMIKACIN-125mg/ml-0.6ml/5mlDW
Enrofloxacin-100mg/ml-0.5ml/5mldw
Gentamycin-40mg/ml-0.5ml/5ml dw
Terbinafine-500mg+1ml n acetyl cyseine(loosen thick mucus)+500ml dw-aspergillosis
Terbutaline-.01mg/kg+9ml saline-’reliever inhaler’
Aminophylline-25mg/ml-0.6ml/5ml dw
N acetyl cysteine-200mg/ml-0.5ml/5ml dw
Anaesthesia
Isoflourane 4%-5%
Butorphanol tartrate-0.5mg/kg iv im
Diazepam-0.1-0.5mg/kg im,iv
2.5-4mg/kg PO
Ketamine-5-30mg/kg im,iv
mIdazolam-0.1-2mg/kg im iv
Xylazine-1-2.2mg/kg im iv
Common Pet Bird Diseases and Solutions
Birds can be enjoyable pets and loyal companions, but it can be distressing when your feathered friend shows signs of illness and isn’t its usual chirpy self. Recognizing common pet bird diseases and knowing the best solutions for these conditions can help you be sure your bird leads a healthy and happy life.
Most Common Pet Bird Diseases and How to Help
There is a wide range of diseases that can infect pet birds, but different bird species have different susceptibilities to various infections. The most common conditions that can affect a wide range of popular pet birds inclue…
- Parrot Wasting Syndrome
Also called macaw wasting syndrome or proventricular dilatation disease, this illness is characterized by weight loss, vomiting and a swollen crop, and may even present with seizures or depression-like symptoms. Treatment includes providing a stress-free environment for the bird and a special diet, and severe cases may require non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). - Parrot Fever
This bacterial infection is also called psittacosis and is highly contagious among pet birds. Labored breathing, lethargy and eye infections are common symptoms, and antibiotics are essential for curing the illness. - Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
This disease affects all parrot species and is particularly infectious among young parrots or birds that already have health difficulties. Symptoms include feather loss and poor plumage development, as well as abnormal beak growth. A skin or feather biopsy is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis, and while there is no current treatment, vaccines are under development that have shown promise to prevent this disease. - Polyomavirus
This viral infection affects a bird’s plumage and can cause abnormal feather growth or lack of wing flight feather or tail feather development entirely. Other symptoms include appetite loss, diarrhea and paralysis. This disease progresses very quickly, and there are no effective treatments at this time. - Candidiasis
A bird with candidiasis, also known as thrush, will typically show white lesions in the mouth and throat and may also be vomiting. Appetite loss is quite common, due to the difficulty in swallowing. This illness is caused by a type of yeast infection, and is most often treated with antifungal medication and keeping a cleaner environment, particularly food and water dishes. - Giardiosis
This disease is recognized by the combination of diarrhea or vomiting, weight loss and dry, itching skin, which may cause birds to nibble at or pluck their feathers. There are drug treatments for this illness, and it is important that pet birds are not overcrowded and they have clean water to prevent the spread of the disease. - Goiters
A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency, and in addition to a swollen throat, pet birds with goiters may be reluctant to feed because of difficulty swallowing, and their voices may change. Vomiting, weight loss and wheezing are other common symptoms. Dietary adjustments can help eliminate and prevent goiters, and iodine supplements may be necessary in severe cases. - Pacheco’s Disease
This disease is particularly common in parrot species and can cause severe liver and kidney damage. Other symptoms include diarrhea, lethargy, discolored feces and tremors or trembling. While this illness can be difficult to treat, there is medication available to relieve the symptoms.
These are just a few of the diseases that can affect pet birds, and it is important that bird owners carefully research other illnesses and health conditions that may be a problem for their specific pet bird species.
Always Seek Veterinary Care
Because many pet bird diseases show similar symptoms, and because many birds are clever at hiding signs of discomfort until an illness has progressed drastically, it is important to always be vigilant about your pet bird’s health and seek expert veterinary care right away if problems are noticed. An avian veterinarian can perform blood tests, biopsies and other procedures to accurately diagnose different diseases, even if not all symptoms are apparent. Once the illness is diagnosed, proper treatment can start and your pet bird can get back to health as quickly and easily as possible.
Nursing Care for Sick Pet Birds
While sick birds can occasionally be treated by their owners at home, any bird showing signs of illness should be examined by an avian veterinarian as soon as possible. Birds that are critically weak, vomiting, disoriented, or bleeding from any bodily orifice may require hospitalization. Those that are still eating or that are only mildly lethargic may be treated by their owners at home under the direction of your bird’s veterinarian. If you are medicating your sick bird at home according to your veterinarian’s instructions, this handout will provide some tips to help with your bird’s recovery.
Give all medications as directed
For your bird to have a good chance of recovery, you must administer the prescribed medication exactly as directed. Many owners are unable to administer medication properly to their pet birds. Others stop treatment before the medication is finished, thinking the bird has fought off the illness because they seem to be back to normal. If you do not give the medication as directed, your bird may not fully recover and may have a relapse, necessitating a more prolonged second round of therapy or hospitalization. If you are uncomfortable administering medication to your bird, inform your veterinarian and consider having the bird hospitalized for treatment.
Keep your pet bird warm
Most pet birds recover faster when kept at the upper end of their normal environmental temperature, which ranges from 75°F to 80°F (22°C to 25°C). Increased body temperature stimulates appetite, improves digestion, and stimulates the body’s defenses to help fight infections.
Do not change your bird’s sleep cycle
While healthy pet birds typically adapt to their owners’ sleep schedules, most become accustomed to approximately 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark each day. When a bird is sick, however, many bird owners leave a light on all the time so that they can see the bird better. Leaving the light on 24 hours a day will make it hard for the bird to rest or sleep and may create additional stress that will slow your bird’s recovery. If your bird is ill, do not change their normal day/light cycle.
Make sure your bird eats and drinks
Sick pets need extra calories to fight illness and recover. Consult with your veterinarian about proper nutrition to help your bird recover. Without adequate nutrition and fluids, sick birds will not get better. If your bird is not eating and drinking as they normally would, notify your veterinarian immediately. The bird may need to be hospitalized for force feeding if they will not eat on their own.
Avoid stress
Sick birds are already under excessive stress. While it is tempting to play with your bird and allow them to come out of the cage to walk or fly around, cage rest is often best while the bird is undergoing treatment and during the recovery period.
Avoid sudden diet or environmental changes while your bird is ill. Try to avoid the temptation to stay up all hours of the night with your bird (as many kind-hearted humans do), as they need their rest, and so do you.
Sick birds should be placed in Isolation
A sick bird should be isolated from other pet birds, preferably in a separate room. Separating your sick bird enables you to monitor its food consumption, activity levels, and droppings more closely and allows the bird to rest. Isolation also may help decrease the chances of spreading contagious illness to other birds in the house. Never bring a new pet into the household while you are treating or monitoring a sick bird (or any other sick pet).
Notify your physician if you become ill
While not every bird disease can be transmitted to its owners, some can. Your veterinarian should tell you if your bird is suspected to have one of these diseases that spread between animals and people (zoonotic diseases). One of the most common zoonotic diseases birds can contract is parrot fever or chlamydiosis caused by the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria. Salmonella bacteria can also be transmitted from birds to people, and to other pets. Your veterinarian can test to verify the specific bacteria present and the proper course of treatment. If your bird has a disease that can potentially spread to humans and you become ill, notify your physician immediately. Your doctor may recommend that you take medication.
Notify your veterinarian if your bird’s condition worsens
If treatment or recovery is not going as expected at home, your veterinarian needs to know this. Your veterinarian may need to change medication or hospitalize your bird if his condition deteriorates. Contact your veterinarian right away if your bird’s condition is not improving with treatment at home.
Feeding your bird
Some types of birds have very specific dietary needs for example, rainbow lorikeets need fruit nectar. Always check with your vet, or your bird’s breeder, to ensure you are feeding your bird an appropriate diet.
Obesity is the biggest killer of pet birds. A common mistake made by bird owners is to only feed seed to the bird. Seed is actually very fatty, and lacks many essential vitamins and minerals (this includes the seed mixes and sunflower seeds available from supermarkets). Seed should only be fed as a treat. Instead, feed your bird commercially prepared bird pellets, plus fresh vegetables daily.
Birds should have daily access to cuttlefish bone — this provides them with trace minerals, and also helps keep their beaks trim. A calcium bell is also a good supplement — both can be hung from the side wall of the cage, to allow the bird to nibble on them.
Toxic foods for birds include:
- avocado
- chocolate
- caffeine
- alcohol
- peanuts
- apple seeds
- stone fruit pits
- raw dairy (milk, fresh cheese, ice cream)
- raw onions
- rhubarb
- raw mushrooms
- salty items
- junk food
- lettuce
- lemons
- potato
- beef.
Cool clean water must be available at all times and refreshed daily.
PET BIRDS DISEASES
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request
