The importance of having a AV

[habs71]

Yesterday Donna & I stopped by Sydney's AV to make an appointment for his check-up next month. After we did that we walked across the parking lot to the bird only store to pick up some food and toys for Sydney. The store is affiliated with the AV, but in a different building. The lady running the store also assists in the clinic.

She told us about a Moluccan Too that was brought in..near death. Apparently the Too had not been well for some time and the owners took it to a GP vet. He/she looked at the bird and said it had an infection and prescribed antibiotics. The people gave the antibiotics but
there was no improvement..the Too seemed to be getting worse. So off to another GP vet....same story..different antibiotic. Again, no improvement.

They then happened to be talking to a friend and telling him about it. He told them to go to a AV immediately and recommend Sydney's AV.

Well I guess they walked in with their fid, the Dr. took one look and said that the Too was seriously ill and dying. He then drew blood and did xrays..something neither one of the GP vets did. The AV said the Too was suffering from acute lead piosoning. There was an abnormal object in the gizzard which would require an operation to remove. The parronts gave their consent..operation successful and the Too is well on the way to recovering.

If their friend had not told them about the AV the Too would probably be dead. It should be a priority for all parronts to know where there nearest AV is located. I know, in some areas there is not AV, just GP vets. In that case it's incumbent upon the responsible parront to gather all the information they can about their fid species, put it in a file, and should the need arise, take it with them to the GP vet so he/she will have some background. Waiting until an emergency to do this is just endangering the well being of your fid. Remember the scout motto.."Be Prepared".



Some info on lead poisoning..

Lead Poisoning

One of the most common poisonings in avian practice. Due to their curiosity, birds will pick up objects, chew and occasionally swallow small fragments. Lead is absorbed into the bloodstream from the digestive tract. It is then carried to the brain and also incorporated into the bone. It can cause nervous system disorders and eventually lead to death.

There are many sources of lead around the household that you should be aware of as due to their inquisitive nature your pet bird could accidentally happen upon some. Lead is common in weights such as curtain weights, cuckoo clock weights, fishing sinkers, and some toys (usually within). Shotgun shot and bullets are obvious sources. Solder, putty, linoleum, mirror backing, costume jewelry, and some zippers are less apparent sources of lead. Ceramics not glazed to be food safe can contain lead. Wine bottle foil has been the source of lead poisonings on several occasions in our practice. The two most common sources of lead poisonings are lead-based paints and leaded glass. As most paints used now are not lead-based why does it still occur? Many times in older homes the birds will chew through the superficial layers of the safe paint to expose the lead-based paints beneath which are toxic. If you live in an older home keep a wary eye out for any evidence of chewing of paint by your birds. Also if you have any leaded or stained glass in your home make sure that you keep your birds away from the lead surfaces. Even a small chip can cause toxicity. The diagnosis of lead poisoning is through the demonstration of lead in the digestive tract. If lead poisoning is suspected seek veterinary assistance immediately, a x-ray will confirm the diagnosis. However, the absence of metal densities in the digestive tract on an x-ray does not rule out heavy metal toxicity. Some cases of lead poisoning may be from sources that do not show up well on an x-ray such as paint chips or leaded gas fumes. Sometimes by the time clinical signs are noted the lead may have cleared the digestive tract or there may be slow release from the bone months after exposure. Other aids in diagnosis are clinical signs which include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, weakness, excess urination, diarrhea and nervous system signs such as ataxia, head tilt, blindness, circling, paresis, paralysis, head tremors, convulsions and death. Some birds die with no clinical signs displayed. Hemoglobinuria (blood in the urine) is a clinical sign especially in Amazons and some other birds but does not occur in all cases. It is secondary to rupture of red blood cells within the blood vessels and may be misinterpreted as bloody diarrhea.. Blood lead analysis will confirm the diagnosis but results may take several days.

Lead poisoning can be treated if identified quickly. A drug called calcium EDTA is given by injection into the muscle and it combines with the lead in the bloodstream so that it cannot enter the brain. It is given until there is no evidence of lead in the GI tract or when clinical signs resolve. Mineral oil or peanut butter can be given to aid in the passage of the lead out of the GI tract. If large fragments of lead are present surgical removal may be required.

Skip

[habs71]

Found this tid bit on-line..

Avian medicine is still at its infancy. Depending on the your location, your avian veterinarians may, or may not, still be inexperienced and learning. Unfortunately, the curriculum of most veterinary schools concentrates primarily on horses, cattle, dogs, and cats. Avian medicine is, most often, learned in practice on live patients, our pets and breeders. If we can educate ourselves, we can help our avian veterinarians by suggesting a possible diagnosis and solution. This is not to suggest that we should take it upon ourselves to take avian medicine into our own hands. We need to work with our vets so that we can all learn to care for, and save the lives of, the parrots that we all love so dearly.

Skip

[jimpierce7]

I feel so lucky that the office I take my fids to has two AV as well as an avian qualified GP vet.

[Machelle]

Great post, Skip!!! I"m glad the too is going to be ok.