Avian Techniques

Chapter 168 Avian Techniques



Barbara L. Oglesbee



RESTRAINT



For General Physical Examination (Fig. 168-1)



• Hold the bird’s head firmly with one hand, placing the thumb and second finger under the mandibles and the first finger on the crown.

• With the other hand, grasp the bird with a towel wrapped securely around the body.

image

Figure 168-1 Restraint of parrot using a towel.



For Radiography



• Anesthesia with isoflurane may be necessary and reduces stress from the procedure.

• Use an acrylic positioning board (Silverdust, El Granada, CA).


Dorsoventral View (Fig. 168-2A)



• Lock the head in an acrylic shield.

• Extend the wings fully and place masking tape proximal to the carpus and on the primary feathers.

• Tape the legs in full extension.

• Align the keel bone over the spinal column.

image

Figure 168-2 Restraint and positioning for radiography: A, dorsoventral view. B, lateral view.



Lateral View (Fig. 168-2B)



• Position the bird with the right side down.

• Lock the head in an acrylic shield.

• Pull the wings dorsally and tape with masking tape proximal to the carpi.

• Tape the legs caudally, with the right leg slightly anterior to the left leg.

• Restrain the tail with masking tape.


OPENING THE MOUTH



• A mouth speculum (Lafeber Co., Odell, IL) can be used to keep the mouth open (Fig. 168-3A).

• This procedure can cause cracking of the beak in some birds.

• Alternatively, loops of gauze can be used (Fig. 168-3B).

• Restrain the bird in a towel with one hand (see Fig. 168-1); with the other hand, pull down on a gauze loop placed over the upper beak.

• Instruct an assistant to pull a second gauze loop over the upper beak.

image

Figure 168-3 Opening the mouth using (A) a mouth speculum and (B) loops of gauze.



FORCED ALIMENTATION (GAVAGE FEEDING)



• Hold the bird in an upright position, using towel restraint if necessary (see Fig. 168-1).

• Hold the mouth open with a speculum or gauze loops (see Fig. 168-3).

• Gently pass a rigid feeding tube (Lafeber Co., Odell, IL) or soft rubber catheter with an attached, gruel-filled syringe from the right side of the mouth into the crop (Fig. 168-4).

• Palpate the tube within the crop to check its position.

• Expel the contents of the syringe while monitoring the pharynx for reflux of food.

• Withdraw the tube and immediately release the bird.

• The volume of gruel to be administered varies with the size and age of the birds. Suggested volumes are budgerigar, 1 to 3 ml; cockatiel, 3 to 6 ml; Amazon parrot, 15 to 35 ml; and macaw 35 to 60 ml.

• The same procedure may be used to perform a crop wash for diagnostic sample collection. In place of gruel, instill 0.5 to 1 ml of sterile saline into the crop, then aspirate immediately.

image

Figure 168-4 Forced alimentation.



SUBCUTANEOUS FLUID INJECTION



• Use a 25-gauge needle.

• Always use warmed fluids, 0.9% NaCl or lactated Ringer’s solution (98°F).

• Divide volume of fluid into two equal injections in the groin area (Fig. 168-5).

• Approximately 1 to 2 ml of fluids per 100 g of body weight (BW) may be administered; the larger volume is given to smaller birds.

image

Figure 168-5 Subcutaneous fluid injection sites: interscapular region.

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Aug 27, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Avian Techniques

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