Exotics-Avian Medicine

Exotics - Avian medicine
Birds as prey species typically hide signs of illness, and many conditions produce very similar clinical pictures. A typical presentation might be: bird is still eating but a little less, is still defecating, but is definitely less active and sometimes sits in the cage fluffed up. The differential list for the above symptom list is frustratingly high: Bacterial septicemia = heavy metal toxicity = proventricular dilatation disease = recent trauma, in terms of clinical presentation.

Thorough history
History must be thorough and include signalment, past medical history, source of the bird, complete diet history including snacks fed by all persons in the household, caging history including whether or not the bird is always supervised, whether or not the bird has recently been boarded or exposed to new birds, and a list of other contact birds, and how long each bird has been in the household. Other critical information includes recent illness and/or deaths of any other birds in the household, and exposure to other household pets.

Pre physical examination exam
Observe the bird at rest at a distance, and look for visual clues, such as a slight tail bob indicating dyspnea, or decreased attention to novel surroundings. With experience, avian practitioners begin to develop a “gut feeling” for those birds who are sicker than they are appear, based on the collection of subtle clues. Frequent observation of normal birds in the clinical setting helps to quickly identify birds not completely “in tune” to their surroundings. Before beginning restraint and physical examination, be mindful of indications the bird should be released at once and the examination postponed. Dr. Teresa Lightfoot developed a helpful guide she calls the “Put It Down” list: (Note in this case “Put It Down” does not mean “euthanize”): Pronounced dyspnea, prolonged panting or gasping for air, inability to grasp with feet, weakness, inability to bite, closing the eyes during examination, lack of normal response to stimuli and incoordination, and marked abdominal swelling. […]