Birds
Contents
General vet information for birds:
Specific bird information
More information about certain types:
Avian anaesthesia
Collect everything you need prior to starting:
- Appropriate sized mask
- Towel to restrain the bird
- A range of ET tube sizes
- KY jelly to lubricate tube
- Lacrilube/viscotears
- T-piece or mini lack circuit
Protocol
(1) Gently restrain the bird in your hand or wrapped in a towel to prevent wing flapping. Small birds can be anesthetised in an induction chamber or an upturned clear mask. Ensure the entire beak is inserted into the mask creating a good seal with no gas leakage - you should see the bag fully inflate.
(2) Turn the oxygen dial to 1L/min flow rate and the Isoflurane vaporiser to 5%. This will work for most birds. For very large birds increase the oxygen flow rate accordingly. Keep the bird restrained until it is no longer moving and is anaesthetised. This should take a few minutes.
(3) Once the bird is anaesthetised (there should be no response when you pinch a toe), turn off the oxygen and the vaporiser and flush the circuit before removing the mask. The bird should then be intubated. Open the beak fully and visualise the glottis at the base of the tongue. Pulling the tongue forward can aid visualisation.
(4) Apply a small amount of KY to lubricate the tube, keeping it away from the end of the tube so it does not occlude it. Gently insert the tube into the open glottis making sure the tube fits well but is not tight.
(5) Secure the tube to the beak using some durapore tape. Ensure the tape is securely attached to both the tube and the beak. Place a small drop of eye lube into each eye.
Avian radiology
Ensure the bird is fully anaesthetised (see Avian Anaesthesia protocol).
Ventrodorsal View
(1) To obtain a diagnostic radiograph the bird must be straight.
(2) Lie the bird on its back on the plate and ensure the neck is extended and straight
(3) Secure the wings to the plate using micropore or durapore tape across the primary feathers. Ensure that the two wings are extended the same distance from the body.
(4) Extend both legs and secure them to the plate using tape over the metatarsus bone.
(5) The keel should be directly overlying the spine and the pelvis should feel straight on the plate.
(6) Ensure that you use a left/right marker.
(7) The standard settings that we use for a herring gull sized bird are: KV - 44 and MAs - 4.0 but this will depend on your x-ray machine.
(8) Turn the bird back onto ventral or lateral recumbency as soon as the image has been taken so as not to compromise its breathing. Always disconnect the ET tube from the circuit before turning to prevent tracheal damage.
Lateral Coelomic View
(1) It is recommended to obtain both lateral and VD views to aid diagnosis.
(2) Place the bird on it’s left or right side on the plate
(3) Extend the wings dorsally above the body
(4) DO NOT place a heavy sandbag across the wings for restraint or apply too much pressure down on the wings as this can cause damage to the pectoral muscles.
(5) Secure the wings to the plate by placing micropore or durapore tape across the primaries. The wings should be superimposed on each other or only slightly apart.
(6) Secure the legs to the plate using tape with the upper leg slightly more cranial than the lower leg.
(7) The keel should be parallel to the plate.
Avian Influenza
Downloads available for bird flu influenza: