Avian - Health Checking 0.0 / 5 ? OtherAnimal ManagementOtherOther Created by: Becky_BerryCreated on: 23-03-21 12:51 What do we check for? behavioural changes important to make sure you are monitoring and recording behaviour looking for behaviour changes looking for a change in temperament/character or stereotypic behaviours e.g., not perching, eat/drinking habits, noise can be an increase or a decrease in noise blood feathers particularly at the rear where they cannot preen as well blood feathers are young feathers that still have a good blood supply don't try pull them out or cut them as this can cause profuse bleeding can cause anaemia if bleeding, also an entry point for infection as the feather matures the blood will drain out and the blood supply will be cut off should not be preening blood feathers, but if the bird is covered in blood then it needs to be investigated cloaca faeces if faeces are bright green this could be a symptom of psittacosis eyes nostrils feather condition 1 of 5 Other Points to Check for: stance/gait movement is it hyperactive? is it not moving a lot? is it not putting weight on certain parts of its body? posture e.g., flying pattern weight - what is normal for the bird? good way to measure health falconers may weigh their birds every day claws and feet small birds are prone to getting frostbite feet will go black and they may lose digits wings feather loss and movemnet are they able to stretch their wings? for caged birds the vet inspecting the cage can be useful once one bird in the cage is ill it is likely others are ill, so the whole cage can then be treated can advise on causes of illness (e.g., paints) if there are problems with an entire flock check the enclosure they are housed in for water birds' detail on substrate and water can be very important for diagnosis could misinterpret behaviour if you do not spend time watching the birds note any behaviour changes note amount of food and water consumed stress on an ill bird could be risking its life 2 of 5 Administering Medication Part 1 dosage calculated using weight generally how sick the bird is will changes the dose the vet will decide the dose time medication is to be administered before or after food (dependent on drug) try do it at the same time every day duration of medication how the medication is going to be administered injections subcutaneous or intramuscular may be asked of a keeper intramuscular will bleed a lot more than subcutaneous intravascular = into the circulatory system intraosseous = into the bone relatively rare don't do an injection if you do not know how to do an injection skin (topically) orally birds can regurgitate tablets back up, so liquid is favoured ophthalmic eye drops etc. 3 of 5 Administering Medication Part 2 how the medication should be stored animals take some drugs that are illegal to take in humans e.g., ketamine can be used recreationally by humans medications should be kept under lock and key some may need to be in the fridge/freezer potential side effects the most notable side effect in birds is drowsiness if they are so drowsy they are falling off their perch then the dose should probably be lowered tell the vet if you are not sure whether it is a side effect of the drug or whether it is the bird getting worse how long until it starts working? how long until they are metabolised? can take weeks 4 of 5 Key Points for Medicating record-keeping can prevent double dosing will ensure medication is given at the right time ensure you have familiarised yourself with the drug datasheet read all contradictions and expected side effects health and safety of handler and animal is the priority ensure the animal is restrained before medicating ensure you are prepared prior to medicating make sure all PPE, all medication and all equipment is ready before entering the enclosure BIAZA disease risk protocols 5 of 5
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