Veterinarian Care .us

Just like you and I, there is a whole bunch of stuff that can make us sick. When your bird gets sick, you can trust us to get to the bottom of it and get your bird back to normal. Birds and exotics did not grow to be a part of what we do by accident, it took a long time and lots of hard work, study, and practice to get us to where we are now. A desire to set ourselves apart has led us here, and this is the path we will continue on. We have a tremendous amount of experience in the care of birds and exotics and have seen a lot in the last 22 plus years. One of the most important realization is the fact that birds make it hard to tell if they are sick because they hide their symptoms. So here is a helpful guide to what we call the “Sick Bird Giveaways”.

Sick Bird Giveaway #1. What does your bird weigh?

Healthy birds have a rounded plump breast muscle, just think Butterball Turkey. If you feel the breast bone sticking out or the breast muscle is caved in, your bird is in trouble and is burning body protein for energy. Likewise, some birds have a tendency to gain too much weight (too much junk food just like us) and you can see and feel fat deposits under the skin.

Sick Bird Giveaway #2. It is all in the poop.

Normal droppings have the tubular brown stool, white urates, and a small amount of water. If the wet spot around the dropping is too big, there is excess water. This can be a very serious symptom. Just about any infection or illness can cause this, especially diabetes (Cockatiels), liver disease, kidney disease, and pancreatic disease. It may be transient if the bird is stressed or has eaten fruits or other foods with high water content. Some birds that eat only pellets seem to have more water than normal and you may want to provide more variety. If the urates are yellow or greenish yellow, this indicates a problem with pigment metabolism. The organ responsible for this is the liver. Birds on seed and nuts only or high fat diets; specific species such as Amazons, Cockatiels, and Rose Breasted Cockatoos seem prone to liver disease. Toxins can cause liver injury or failure. Green or yellow urates in a Cockatiel can mean Psittacosis or some other liver disease. The stool portion may be chocolate colored (lead toxicity) or loose (enteritis) or there may be a foul odor (enteritis). Passage of undigested contents is a bad sign (Proventricular Dilatation Disease, enteritis, pancreatitis) and you should seek immediate help.

Sick Bird Giveaway #3. Symmetry is our friend.

Look at your bird and you will notice the remarkable symmetry of the face and body. Asymmetry of the head and face can indicate injury or infection. Redness, with or without swelling, of the face, eyes, eyelids, or cere is usually indicative of a sinus infection. A bird’s sinuses are not covered by bone and the infraorbital sinus has outpouchings or divertuculi that surround the eye, are in front of the eye, and even extend into the maxillary beak. A red or swollen nostril, eye, or eyelid is an indication of illness or injury. A bird squinting one eye is not likely to be winking at you; it probably has an injury to the surface of the eye (cornea). The way the wings set against the body and the birds gait are evaluated for symmetry. Broken wings and broken legs are very common injuries. In older Parakeets and Cockatiels, lameness is a common symptom of an enlarged organ or mass in the abdomen. In reproductively active females, the presence of an egg in the abdomen can apply enough pressure to the abdominal wall as to cause a lameness.

Sick Bird Giveaway #4. Wet feathers anyone?

Birds that have sinus infections or have been sneezing will have wet or stained feathers just above each nostril. Birds that have regurgitated have wet feathers at the sides of the face. Birds with abnormal stools have stool stuck to the feathers around the vent.

Sick Bird Giveaway #5. What, me sick?

A normal healthy bird is most definitely very alert when we enter the room. To them we are at best a new companion and at worst a predator. Any bird that acts tired, sleepy, or fluffed under these circumstances is sick. A normal healthy bird can tolerate the handling for an examination. Afterwards the bird may pant or be tired, but never for more that two to three minutes. Some birds have just enough energy to act like they are OK at first, but quickly run out of gas during the examination. They may be visibly exhausted after only a brief exam. Very ill birds may arrest with the slightest extra effort. Long story short, the bird’s physical condition will become apparent during the examination. Since we know what to look for, we will alert you of any signs of weakness on the part of your bird.

Sick Bird Giveaway #6. Tail pumping and respiratory distress.

Evaluation of the bird’s respiratory rate is best done hands off and watching. In a normal healthy bird, the respiratory efforts are barely noticeable. When it becomes obvious or there is a rhythmic tail bob, there is a serious problem with either respiratory tract injury or illness or severe general weakness. Typically, we place this bird is placed in an oxygen tent and proceed with extreme caution. Pneumonia, air sacculitis, peritonitis, abdominal tumors, inhalant toxins, and tracheal injury or obstruction are some of the more common causes of respiratory distress.

Any time a sick bird comes into our hospital, there is a good chance they have one of the symptoms listed above. If you see any of these, come see us before it is too late.

Dr Paul Skellenger is the Veterinarian for Veterinarian Care. us. You can contact the doctors and staff at Research Pet and bird Hospital at Research Pet and Bird Hospital, 11679 Research Blvd., Austin, Texas 78759. Phone 258-2577, Fax 346-4571, Email researchpet@researchpet.com or go to our website at researchpet.com.