
Avian respiratory medicine. Respiratory disease is relatively common in companion birds. A successful treatment outcome relies on a rapid diagnosis, yet understanding the complexities of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and respiration and birds can be challenging. The avian respiratory system differs greatly from mammalian species, and these differences pose significant challenges to the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in birds.
How to become an avian vet?
Apr 01, 2010 · Bacteriostatic – tetracyclines; chlortetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, tetracycline. 10. Other (Cidal against anaerobes) – nitroimidazole; metronidazole. As mentioned previously, the above list is just a fraction of the antibiotic agents available, but are the most common used in avian/exotic pet medicine.
How to find an avian vet?
This article presents relevant advances in avian medicine and surgery over the past 5 years. New information has been published to improve clinical diagnosis in avian diseases. This article also describes new pharmacokinetic studies. Advances in the understanding and treatment of common avian disorders are presented in this article, as well.
What avian diseases can be transmitted to humans?
Abstract. Companion birds are increasingly living longer due to improved husbandry, nutrition, and veterinary care. As a consequence, a growing number of geriatric disease conditions are diagnosed and managed by veterinarians. Awareness of bird owners of diagnostic and treatment options for neoplastic diseases in humans and domestic animals has led to increasing …
What is a common avian disease?
Treatment of avian renal disease relies on supportive care such as fluid therapy and nutritional support. Other treatments vary with the underlying cause and the clinical picture but may include systemic antibiotics, diuretics, parenteral vitamin A, and …

Do veterinarians use biopsies on feathers to diagnose beak and feather disease?
Who was the first person to record the use of dissection to study animals?
Can aspergillosis can infect the embryos inside of egg shells?
What is gout What are some of the theories about why gout develops in reptiles?
Who established the first animal hospital in India?
By the time of the great king Ashoka (r. c. 268 - c. 232 BCE), the first veterinary hospital in the world was established in India with its underlying vision based on the work of Shalihotra.Apr 30, 2020
What is the most common cause of salmonella infections poultry products vegetables horse feed beef products?
Where can you find Aspergillus?
Is foot and mouth disease fatal for cattle?
The disease is not usually fatal in adult animals, although many young animals may die. However, it causes severe pain and distress, especially in cattle; animals may be left permanently lame and the productivity of recovered animals may be reduced.
Do veterinarians use biopsies on feathers?
What animals get gout?
What causes gout in chameleons?
What is animal gout?
About Avian & Exotic Pet Medicine at AMC
AMC’s Avian and Exotic Pet Service was established in 1984 as the first specialty service for exotic pets in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area. We provide state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for all different types of pets, including birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, small rodents, and reptiles.
The AMC Difference
Because we work directly with other board certified veterinarians in the specialty services offered at AMC, we can provide comprehensive consultation and care for your bird or exotic pet unavailable anywhere else in the NYC metropolitan area.
rDVM Referrals
To refer a case, please log in to our Referral Portal or visit our Referral Form and Procedures. Please instruct pet owners to call 212-838-8100 to schedule an appointment. Email all medical records and diagnostic test results to [email protected] at the time of referral.
Our Services
Freshwater fish are often highly social and engaging pets. Veterinary care is available to assist pet fish owners in keeping their individual fish or aquarium collections healthy. Services Offered:
Fish Care
Freshwater fish are often highly social and engaging pets. Veterinary care is available to assist pet fish owners in keeping their individual fish or aquarium collections healthy. Services Offered:
Do companion birds have respiratory disease?
The avian respiratory system differs greatly from mammalian species, and these differences pose significant challenges to the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in birds.
What is the nasal cavity of an avian?
The avian nasal cavity consists of the nostrils (external nares), opercula, nasal septum, nasal conchae (rostral, middle, and caudal), and choana. In parrots, the nares are typically located dorsolaterally at the base of the maxillary beak. In budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus) and a few other psittacine species, a section of raised, colored skin called the “cere” surrounds the nares. Just within the nostril opening, a keratinized vascularized flap of tissue called the operculum is visible. Within the nasal cavity, the cartilaginous to bony nasal septum and conchae direct the flow of air ventrally towards the choanal slit and caudally to enter the infraorbital sinus. The movement of air through the nasal cavity allows for olfaction, air filtration, water conservation, and thermoregulation. The choanal slit in psittacine species is rimmed with papillae, which is believed to help prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.
Is respiratory disease common in companion birds?
Avian respiratory medicine. Respiratory disease is relatively common in companion birds. A successful treatment outcome relies on a rapid diagnosis, yet understanding the complexities of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and respiration and birds can be challenging. The avian respiratory system differs greatly from mammalian ...
What is the upper respiratory tract of a bird?
Upper respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract in birds consists of the nasal cavity and infraorbital sinus. For the purpose of this presentation, the larynx and glottis will be discussed in the lower respiratory tract section.
What causes a parrot to have a squamous metaplasia?
Viral infections such as pox and herpesvirus are less common. Hypovitaminosis A, common in parrots fed a seed-based diet, causes squamous metaplasia of epithelial linings including those of the nasal cavity, predisposing to opportunistic infections. Other causes include nasal foreign bodies, trauma, and neoplasia.
Where are the nares located in the avian nasal cavity?
The avian nasal cavity consists of the nostrils (external nares), opercula, nasal septum, nasal conchae (rostral, middle, and caudal), and choana. In parrots, the nares are typically located dorsolaterally at the base of the maxillary beak. In budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus) and a few other psittacine species, a section of raised, colored skin called the “cere” surrounds the nares. Just within the nostril opening, a keratinized vascularized flap of tissue called the operculum is visible. Within the nasal cavity, the cartilaginous to bony nasal septum and conchae direct the flow of air ventrally towards the choanal slit and caudally to enter the infraorbital sinus. The movement of air through the nasal cavity allows for olfaction, air filtration, water conservation, and thermoregulation. The choanal slit in psittacine species is rimmed with papillae, which is believed to help prevent food from entering the nasal cavity.
Can African Grey parrots be treated with calcium?
An intramuscular injection of calcium is warranted for a seizuring African Grey Parrot, particularly if the affected bird has a history of consuming a calcium deficient diet. While one could argue that the administration of calcium to a seizuring African Grey Parrot in the absence of a specific diagnosis is questionable, it should be noted that only 5 of 192 African Grey Parrots ( 2.6%) in this study with clinical changes suggestive of hypocalcemia had a plasma calcium level within the published reference value. Prior to determining that these 5 birds were normocalcemic, all 5 received calcium injections as part of the initial therapy with no detectable adverse effects. Although a diagnosis should be made prior to therapy, the measurement of calcium concentration can take some time and it is often more important to initiate treatment immediately. Plasma calcium concentrations will often stay below normal for up to 24 hours after initiation of treatment. The birds usually clinically recover in that time, so blood samples can be taken a few hours later, when the birds have improved. Care must be taken in interpreting AST and CK activities in these latter cases, as these enzyme values will elevate due to muscle damage from the injection
What causes African grey parrots to have hypocalcemia?
Hypoalbuminemia can cause an apparent hypocalcemia because 30% of the calcium in plasma is bound to albumin. While this bound calcium is not metabolically active, it is nonetheless detected in routine assays for total blood calcium levels. Research with African Grey Parrots has shown that calcium concentrations are significantly affected by the concentration of albumine, with approximately 14% of the variability described in calcium concentrations attributable to changes in albumin concentrations. Because calcium bound to protein is metabolically inactive, birds with hypocalcemia as a result of low albumin levels will remain clinically normal. Additionally, 90% of the hypocalcemic African Grey Parrots evaluated had total protein values within a normal reference range. Therefore, hypoproteinemia was not considered a factor in the hypocalcemia detected in the African Grey Parrots. Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism is common in mammals and other bird species fed a calcium deficient diet. Affected animals have calcium concentrations below reference values with normal plasma phosphate and increased AP activity. In our experience hypocalcemic African Grey Parrots will demonstrate phosphorous elevated and AP within normal reference range. Therefore, we postulate that the hypocalcemic syndrome in African Grey Parrots is not related to secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism.
What disease causes crop impaction in baby psittacines?
Candidiasis: see oral cavity. Frequently the crop mucosal surface is coated with a catarrhal to mucoid exudate. The disease is a frequent cause of crop impaction and death in baby psittacines. In older birds it can cause delayed crop emptying and malnutrition. Trichomoniasis: see oral cavity.
