If respiratory signs are present in passerines or budgies, you transilluminate the trachea looking for evidence of what?
Mites
(e.g., Sternostoma tracheacolum in budgies)
Air sac mites can cause airway obstruction, and can appear as small moving objects or shadows within the trachea.
Which biochemical parameter is the best indicator of renal disease in birds?
Uric acid
(the end product of nitrogen catabolism in birds)
Other causes of hyperuricemia include ovulation and postprandial.
In birds, dysfunction of which body system is most likely to cause green urates?
Hepatic
(see green, bile-stained urates in feces)
Birds lack biliverdin reductase and form biliverdin instead of bilirubin as the primary breakdown product of heme.
How many chambers are there in the avian heart?
Four
Two atria and two ventricles, just like mammals.
Which two sites can be used for intraosseous catheter placement on a bird?
- Distal ulna
- Proximal tibiotarsus
What is the most likely cause for a budgerigar presenting with an overgrown beak and honeycomb pattern?
Knemidocoptes spp. mite infestation
(scaly face (leg) mite)
Regurgitation, progressive weight loss, and finding whole seeds in the feces of your pet parrot are typical signs of which avian disease?
Proventricular dilation disease
(a.k.a. “Macaw wasting disease”)
This is a fatal, progressive neurologic disorder of parrots, with transmission likely via the fecal-oral route.
Think of which zoonotic disease when a bird presents with non-specific clinical signs (green urates, ocular discharge and depression) and the owner has “flu-like” symptoms?
Psittacosis
(Chlamydophila psittaci infection)
Human infection is most common in bird handlers/poultry workers and occurs mainly via inhalation of aerosolized feces or respiratory secretions, though rare person-to-person or non-avian exposures are reported.
Birds that eat seeds exclusively often suffer from which vitamin deficiency?
Hypovitaminosis A
Causes epithelial and mucosal changes leading to respiratory signs, poor feather quality, anorexia, PU/PD, oral and choanal plaques, hyperkeratosis of the feet, and can underlie chronic or recurrent sinus, eye, pododermatitis, or reproductive problems.
What is the treatment of choice (chelator) for birds with lead toxicosis?
Calcium disodium EDTA
(lead toxicosis usually from ingestion of household metals)
Lead toxicosis causes systemic toxicity with signs ranging from anorexia, weight loss, and gastrointestinal upset to neurologic deficits, seizures, blindness, and in some species hemoglobinuria, due to accumulation of lead in soft tissues and bone.
Candidiasis in birds is a yeast infection that most commonly affects which organ system?
Gastrointestinal tract
Most often seen in immunocompromised or young birds.
Where is the accepted site for microchip placement in psittacines?
The left pectoral muscle
Name three clinical signs of crop stasis or “sour crop.”
- Regurgitation
- Delayed crop emptying
- A sour odor
- Inappetence
- Dehydration
- Anorexia
- Listlessness
Avocado toxicosis in birds typically affects which organ systems?
- Respiratory (pulmonary edema)
- Cardiovascular (hydropericardium)
Fill in the blank:
When obtaining a blood sample via venipuncture, collect no more than ___% of a bird’s body weight.
1%
What is the main route of transmission of canary pox?
Bloodsucking insects
(e.g., mosquitoes and red mites)
Arrange the following life stages of young birds in increasing order of age (youngest to oldest):
fledgling, hatchling, nestling
- Hatchling (0-4 days old)
- Nestling (4-10 days old)
- Fledgling (10-14 days old)
Feather-picking is a common behavioral abnormality of pet birds. Name three non-behavioral causes of feather-picking.
- Ectoparasites
- Allergic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis (sprays, shampoos, etc.)
- Endoparasites
- Renal disease
- Hepatic disease
- Air sac disorders
- Coelomic granulomas
- Enteritis
- Neoplasia
- Zinc toxicosis
- Lead toxicosis
- Nutritional deficiencies
In parrots, the syrinx is the “voice box.” Where is it located?
- A. At the bifurcation of the trachea
- B. At the level of the larynx
- C. In the caudal aspect of the oral cavity
- D. In the infraorbital sinus
A. At the bifurcation of the trachea
A malnourished cockatiel has wet feathers surrounding the mouth and halitosis. Cytology of an oral swab shows budding yeasts.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Candidiasis
Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of peripheral and CNS tissue is a characteristic of which common avian gastrointestinal disease?
Proventricular dilatation disease
(a.k.a. “Macaw wasting disease” or “avian bornavirus”)
This is a progressive neurological disease.
Can an intraosseous catheter be placed in a bird’s ulna, or would doing so potentially cause fluids to be adminstered into the respiratory system (air sacs)?
Yes - its cavity contains marrow, not air sacs
Many avian bones are pneumatic (i.e., intimately associated with the air sacs) and thus are inappropriate for intraosseous therapy.
Name two adverse consequences that may occur as a result of chronic (excessive) egg-laying in a cockatiel.
- Egg-binding/dystocia
- Yolk coelomitis/peritonitis
- Osteoporosis
Besides tracheal intubation, name the other safe, effective means to ventilate an apneic bird.
Air sac cannulation
