Sample Chapter 05 from Exotic Animal Medicine: A - Elsevier Health
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CHAPTER 5 Parrots and related species .................................... Members of the parrot family are the commonest avian pet and, therefore, the most likely to be presented to the veterinarian. Table 5.1 shows the most commonly encountered species. Consultation and handling .......................................................................................................... Psychologically, most pet birds are little different from their wild ancestors the veterinary surgeon constitutes a potential predator so the bird is likely to exhibit a flight or fight response when handled. Exceptions to this are hand reared parrots (or imprinted raptors and owls). However, in extremis, birds vary in their susceptibility to stress, and while some, such as the larger psittacines, can be han dled relatively safely, others, such as canaries, carry a greater risk. A great many captive bred, hand reared birds can be superficially examined while perched on the owner or on a freestanding perch, thereby minimizing stress. If care and patience is undertaken, then auscultation of the lungs and air sacs, plus some assessment of body condition can be achieved in this way. It is important to weigh parrots at every consultation (Fig. 5.1); tame birds can be accurately weighed using a small perch designed to fit on to standard weighing scales. Aggressive birds, or birds unused to handling, may require to be ‘towelled’ in order to examine them. Use a large towel that will cover most of the bird. Drop or place it over the bird such that the head is covered and the bird cannot see your hands. With one hand, grab the bird’s head or neck from behind so that there is control of the beak, and use the other hand to gather up the rest of the bird into the towel. Do not in any way compress the sternum, as this will seriously compromise the bird’s breathing. Birds will attempt to mask signs of illness and so may not exhibit clinical signs until a disease course is quite advanced. It is important to observe the bird from a dis tance for several minutes prior to handling, as a relaxed bird is more likely to show signs of ill health. Jepson, 978-0-7020-2873-1 174 ........................................................................................................................................................ PROPERTY OF ELSEVIER SAMPLE CONTENT - NOT FINAL http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/Veterinary-Medicine/Exotics/book/9780702028731/Exotic-Animal-Medicine
