Avian Medicine

Question 1

Fluffed and ruffled feathers indicate a lack of normal ____ activity.

Answer 1

preening

Question 2

What is the ideal cage substrate for avian patients?

Answer 2

Paper products

Question 3

Inappropriate materials or infrequent cage cleaning can lead to what type of infections?

Answer 3

Fungal infections, like Aspergillosis

Question 4

Body condition score is obtained by palpating the ___ and the associated muscles.

Answer 4

keel

Question 5

The HR is often ____ beats/minute during a physical exam.

Answer 5

> 250

(so it’s totally accurate)

Question 6

Where is the uropygial gland (preening gland) located?

Answer 6

Caudo-dorsal surface of the bird, just proximal to the last vertebra (pygostyle)

Question 7

Why are PLRs not consistent in birds?

Answer 7

Because striated muscle controls pupillary contraction

Question 8

An increase in which parameter on a blood chemistry is an indication for liver biopsy in an otherwise healthy bird?

Answer 8

Bile acids

Question 9

Which parameter on a blood chemistry is most helpful in evaluating renal disease?

Answer 9

Uric acid

Question 10

Alanine transaminase (ALT) has no value in birds. True or false?

Answer 10

True

Question 11

Platelets are replaced by what in avian patients?

Answer 11

Thrombocytes

Question 12

What are the three typical ways you can determine the sex of a bird species that does not exhibit sexual dimorphism?

Answer 12

1. DNA testing from either a blood or feather sample
2. Physically laying an egg
3. Laparoscopic evaluation

Question 13

All feathers have a permanent artery, vein, and nerve associated with it and damage to a feather can lead to significant hemorrhage. True or false?

Answer 13

False

Question 14

What type of feathers have an axial artery, vein, and nerve?

Answer 14

Developing feathers

Question 15

Breaking an immature feather can cause significant hemorrhage. What is the treatment?

Answer 15

Pulling the broken feather and applying pressure to the follicle

Question 16

Why is the avian respiratory system highly efficient? Three answers.

Answer 16

1. Larger ratio of gas exchange to lung volume
2. Larger pulmonary capillary blood volume
3. Cross current exchange

Question 17

Inducing emesis can be an effective means of removing ingested toxic material in birds. True or false?

Answer 17

False

Question 18

Inducing emesis and crop dilution are NOT recommended methods for decontamination of birds. True or false?

Answer 18

True

Question 19

The closer to a joint a fracture is, the ___ the prognosis.

Answer 19

worse

Question 20

Fractures of which bone generally require surgical fixation?

Answer 20

Humerus

Question 21

Fractures located here can be managed with cage rest or figure eight bandage +/- body wrap.

Answer 21

Thoracic girdle

Question 22

Non-displaced radial or ulnar fractures can be managed with what?

Answer 22

Bandages

Question 23

Carpal and metacarpal fractures can be managed with what?

Answer 23

Bandages/splints

Question 24

Medical management is often unrewarding in cases of dystocia so aggressive interventions (oxytocin, prostaglandin, ovocentesis, surgery, referral) are necessary. True or false?

Answer 24

False

Question 25

Tracheal stenosis is a serious post-operative complication that occurs 1-3 weeks after a surgical procedure when tracheal intubation is utilized. True or false?

Answer 25

True

Question 26

Alfaxalone is a popular induction agent in exotic animal medicine and can be given IM. Why is it less suitable for larger birds?

Answer 26

Requires large volumes to be administered

Question 27

Inhalants including sevoflurane and isoflurane can be used as induction agents. Both cause dose-dependent _____ _____.

Answer 27

cardiopulmonary depression

Question 28

Most birds appear to be kappa opioid receptor dominant. What is the most commonly used opioid in birds?

Answer 28

Butorphanol

Question 29

Birds with clinical hepatic disease will present with jaundice. True or false?

Answer 29

False Jaundice does NOT occur due to lack of biliverdin reductase.

Question 30

Feather destructive behavior requires behavior modification drugs in order to be treated successfully. True or false?

Answer 30

False Treat underlying causes, implement good behavior modification plan, environmental enrichment, foraging opportunities.

Question 31

Is hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia a normal finding in active laying hens?

Answer 31

Hypercalcemia

Question 32

_____ is stored in bone, so chelation therapy is slower than _____.

Answer 32

Lead; zinc

Question 33

Radiographs are the most reliable diagnostic available for heavy metal toxicosis.

Answer 33

False They MAY reveal metal opacity foreign body.

Question 34

Hemoglobinuria is suggestive of zinc toxicity.

Answer 34

False

Question 35

Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity in birds include: anorexia, weight loss, neurological signs, GI signs, and polyuria/polydipsia. True or false?

Answer 35

True

Question 36

Of the following diseases, which is NOT typically on the rule-out list for sudden death? * Polyomavirus * Teflon toxicity * Aspergillosis * Pacheco's Disease

Answer 36

Aspergillosis