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These recommendations were drawn up by Dr. Tracey Bennett DVM- Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners - Avian Specialty. (see footnote)

Dr. Bennett graduated from Washington State university in 1994.  She was one of the first students from WSU to enroll in the exotic animal track.  While at WSU she completed externships in exotic animal medicine in California and Oregon.  She began exotic pet practice in Seattle with the lat Robert Shelley DVM, immediately after graduation.  She founded the Bird and Exotic Clinic in 1997.  Dr. Bennett credentialed for the avian boards in 1999 and became a board certified avian specialist in 2001.

1.  Exam performed by an avian veterinarian, annually

2.  CBC (Complete Blood Count), annually

3.  Chemistries (liver values, kidney, total protein, calcium, Ck, cholesterol), annually

4.  Cultures (choana and cloaca) annually

5.  PBFD test if under 1 year of age or newly purchased (less than 6 months) and is an old world species, one time.

6.  I recommend Eclectus have the polyoma vaccine for their own protection due to their high susceptibility to this disease.

7.  I would not allow birds under 1 year of age or newly purchased birds (under 6 months) into the clu until they are older or have been in the home over 6 months and had the above tests.  For young birds this is for their own protection as well.

8.  If a member acquires a new bird they must quarantine for at least 3 months and have an avian veterinarian check after quarantine (as well as completing above tests).

9.  Unfortunately I would recommend that Budgies, Lovebirds and Parrotlets not be allowed in the club with larger parrots (if there is enough interest maybe they could have their own session and we could recommend specific testing for those species at that time) and that cockaatiels initially have a Chlamydiophila panel (including PCR) since they are known carriers of this disease.

10.  I would have a veterinarian review new members on a case-by-case basis and recommend further testing if indicated.

Footnotes

¹ The recommended testing must have been performed at either the University of Georgia Laboratory or Molecular Diagnostics Lab, Ohio.

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