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CVNT2 > Hospitalisation and Nursing of Birds > Flashcards

Hospitalisation and Nursing of Birds Flashcards

(82 cards)

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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
which part of the body should be restrained first in birds of prey?
feet
26
what are the considerations for a bird clinical exam?
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
27
how can you assess body condition?
palpate pectoral muscle mass | subcutaneous fat deposits
28
what are the considerations for hospitalising birds?
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
29
what is the purpose of a tail guard?
prevent tail getting scuffed and soiled
30
what are the hospitalisation considerations for sick birds?
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!
31
what safety considerations need to be made with sick birds?
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
32
how does metabolic rate affect medication admin?
high metabolic rate in birds requires increased doses and frequency compared to mammals
33
can you give bird medications in water?
no - not reliable, may result in bird not drinking
34
can you give birds medication in food?
not reliable, crop tubing/direct administration preferable
35
what routes of administration of medication are available in birds?
oral - crop tubing injectable flushing nares/sinuses useful for upper respiratory tract infections nebulisation useful for lower respiratory tract infections
36
what route of admin should be avoided in birds?
topical - will affect feather structure, may be ingested as bird preens
37
why do we crop feed birds?
to provide nutritional support for sick birds
38
what size tube should be used for crop feeding?
largest possible - reduces chances of accidentally placing it into the trachea
39
what materials can crop tubing be?
rubber plastic metal
40
which type of tube should be used for crop feeding parrots?
metal | or with gag to prevent biting through tube if plastic/rubber
41
how do you insert a crop feeding tube?
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
how often should you crop feed a bird?
every 2-8 hours depending on species
43
what temperature should crop fluids/food be at?
38-40°C
44
what can be crop fed?
``` hand-rearing formula emeraid hills a/d ground up waterfowl pellets critical care formula fluids ```
45
what injections sites are used in birds?
subcut IM IV IO
46
why can't you give birds intracoelomic fluids?
due to air sac system
47
which sites are used for subcut injection?
inguinal fold | interscapular region
48
which sites are used for IM injection?
distal third pectoral muscles (avoids pectoral artery) | legs
49
which sites are used for IV injection?
jugular veins basilic veins metatarsal veins
50
which sites are used for IO injection?
ulna | tibiotarsus
51
why aren't the humerus or femur used for IO injection?
often pneumatised and connected to the air sac system
52
how is the wing kept immobilised during IO injection?
with a figure 8 bandage
53
what are the fluid therapy maintenance requirements for birds?
50-100ml/kg/day (higher for passerines)
54
what fluid is used for fluid therapy in birds?
lactated ringers appropriate for most species
55
how can you assess dehydration in sick birds?
assume all sick birds 5-10% dehydrated | i.e. 50-100ml per kg
56
what should the fluid therapy schedule be in birds?
give maintenance + 1/2 deficit on day one | give maintenance + rest of deficit over days 2-3
57
how much fluids should be given orally/subcut/IV?
oral = 10ml/kg subcut = 20ml/kg (inguinal fold) IV = 10-20ml/kg bolus OR 10ml/kg/hr infusion
58
can you crop tube fluids?
yes as long as bird can hold up own head and has no significant GI disease which could affect absorption
59
what diagnostic procedures are available for birds?
``` radiography biochemistry, haematology PCR, serology culture cytology e.g. crop wash/ aspirates, faecal faecal parasitology endoscopy, biopsy post-mortem exams ```
60
why isn't ultrasonography used in birds?
air sac system prevents diagnostic images | unless bird has coelomic fluid
61
what are the standard radiography views?
right lateral | ventrodorsal
62
can radiography be done conscious?
no, must be under GA
63
how do you position a bird for a right lateral radiograph?
tape wings out of the way and tape legs caudally/one forward and one backwards
64
how do you position a bird for a VD radiograph?
wings and legs extended and taped
65
how many views are taken for radiography?
2 views at 90°
66
what is barium contrast used for?
barium contrast radiographs useful for GI tract and investigation of coelomic masses (15-20ml/kg)
67
what can endoscopy be used for?
visualising trachea, upper GI tract, cloaca sexing monomorphic species looking at lungs, air sacs, kidneys, gonads, GI tract, spleen, liver - can be biopsied
68
which veins can be used for blood collection?
right jugular - featherless tract overlies this region basilic vein - media elbow median metatarsal vein - larger birds
69
why must caution be taken when collecting blood from the basilic (deep ulnar) vein?
prone to haematoma formation - pressure must be applied for some time after venepuncture
70
how much blood can safely be collected?
1% body weight in healthy bird, less if sick
71
which type of tube should be used for blood sampling?
heparin or EDTA in most species | some species will lyse in EDTA (not species seen in practice)
72
why are automated cell counts unreliable?
avian erythrocytes are nucleated - manual method required to determine white cell count and differential
73
why might sinus flushing be performed?
for treatment or for diagnostic samples (e.g. cytology, culture and sensitivity)
74
how can sinus flushing be performed?
via nares (upside down) or via needle into sinus (GA)
75
what can happen if a new feather is damaged before the blood supply retracts?
if blood feather damaged before this may bleed profusely
76
how are new feather supported?
by old feathers
77
when is wing clipping indicated? why?
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
when can wing clipping be useful?
temporarily useful while training dominant/aggressive bird
79
how should wing clipping be performed?
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
how should nail clipping be performed?
with a dremmel or nail clippers with care extra care with black nails - cannot see quick
81
where should a microchip be inserted?
distal third pectoral muscles to avoid pectoral artery | direct microchip downwards, tissue glue to close skin
82
how is euthanasia performed?
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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