Avian Medicine and Surgery
We advise annual visits to the veterinarian for your avian pet. A health examination will include a detail check to include your bird’s beak, nails, feathers, external and internal parasites and a wellness blood check. Note: A bird that exhibits that ruffled feathered, unkempt look is usually not well and maybe referred as having "Sick Bird Syndrome". This bird usually needs help and should be examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian.
AVIAN: EXAM/HEALTH SCREENING-WING CLIPPING.NAILS.BEAKS
Wing clipping is performed on birds to inhibit their flying abilities. It is a non-painful procedure that ensures the safety of your bird in its environment. A bird that has had it wings trimmed will no longer be at risk of flying into a ceiling fan or into a window. There are several techniques available to preserve the aesthetic appearance of your bird. Please call to discuss this option further or to set up an appointment.
Beaks continue growing throughout birds’ lives. Although birds’ beaks usually wear evenly, some birds develop beak problems and require veterinary assistance. Trimming its beak incorrectly can cause your bird pain and may prevent it from eating, which is why we recommend having your bird’s beak professionally trimmed. Do not attempt to trim your bird’s beak at home.
Most birds require their nails to be trimmed on a regular basis. Trimming the nails of birds too short can be detrimental to the bird. Blood vessels inside the nail are easily ‘nicked’ during the trimming process. Be careful if you perform this procedure at home. We suggest it only be performed at home if you have a small bird with white nails. We also suggest you have a readily accessible safe‘caustic’ agent available to use if the nail begins to bleed. Alternatively, bring your bird to us on a regular basis and we will trim or grind away the appropriate amount of nail.
Note: Do not use sandpaper perches! They do not wear down the nails and they can cause skin problems.
SEXING
Determining the sex of many birds can be very difficult and in some cases, impossible, if relying solely on physical appearance. Laparoscopy is a reliable technique whereby your bird’s internal sex organs are inspected. During the procedure, the bird is anesthetized and a small incision is made in the skin to allow a small camera to visualize the bird’s internal sex organs. Recently other methods of sexing that are less invasive are also available but maybe somewhat less reliable. Please feel free to consult with us about these procedures.
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