Observing Your Birds In Cages To Assess Their General Condition

By Ritzelle Maria Q. Capili, DVM
http://www.sabong.net.ph/news/?module=displaystory&story_id=636&format=print

External manifestations

• Birds should have a well-rounded and bright eye; slightly oval eyes means that birds are not fully alert.
• Any bird that spends all its time huddled in a corner, taking no notice of an observer, is near death.
• Mostly, if not always, by the time one realizes that a bird is coming down with an infection, it is usually sick.
• Twisting of the neck (torticollis), paddling (circling), paralysis and spasms may indicate Vit B or E deficiency, infectious disease or poisoning.

Character of the droppings

• ALWAYS examine fresh droppings dark-colored central part from the rectum and off- white colored surrounding portion consisting mainly of urate crystals from the kidneys.
• Blood in the droppings may come from the intestines, rectum, cloaca or oviduct: may indicate ulceration, bacterial, viral or protozoal infection of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Yellow droppings may be associated with cholera or typhoid infection.

Breathing abnormalities

• A dyspneic, gasping bird (difficulty in breathing) may not have a respiratory infection, but is certainly sick.
• Blue discoloration (cyanosis) on the head region may indicate chronic viral respiratory infections.
• Change in voice, which becomes harsh, or a change in pitch may indicate a problem in the upper respiratory tract.
• Clicking or asthmatic noises (rales and wheezing) may be of viral, bacterial or fungal cause.

Physical examination of the restrained bird

Plumage (Feathers)

• Should be free from external parasites like mites, lice

Eyes

• Swelling just above the eye may be evidence of sinusitis.
• Brown, crusty eruptions around the eyelids and beak may be due to Fowl Pox
• Mareks disease can cause tumors in the pupil and iris of the eye.
• Foaming of the eye is common with many viral mycoplasmal or parasitic infections.

Beak

• Cracking of the beak may be due to trauma or Vit A deficiency.
• Abnormal beak formation may be due to Vit D, Calcium, Biotin and Vit B-complex.

Body

• Pectoral muscle should he symmetrical upon palpation.

On Tapeworms

• Aim of satisfactory treatment: complete removal of both adult and larval stage
• If destrobilization only occurred, the intact scolex is likely to regenerate another body in about 3 WEEKS.
• Examination of the host's feces for tapeworm segments is advised at 3-4 weeks following initial drug treatment

Causes of diseases

• INFECTIOUS: bacteria, virus, fungi parasite, protozoa
• NON-INFECTIOUS: mechanical (trauma), thermal (chilling, heat stress), nutritional (vitamin deficiencies, nutritional imbalance), metabolic, genetic, toxic, neoplastic, immunologic, aging, idiopathic (unknown cause).

Common clinical signs of digestive problems

• Innapatence: birds stop consuming feeds.
• Diarrhea; normal digestion is disrupted (usually first seen as inflammation of the cloaca).
• Dehydration
• Uneven growth rate of flock: mixture of healthy and stunted birds due to varying immune competence.
• Pale shanks, feather abnormalities, improper bone growth: result of inadequate absorption of vitamins and minerals.

On Coccidiosis

• Young birds (2-4 weeks) are more susceptible; sick and recovered birds may shed infection and become a carrier.

On Salmonella infection

• Can he acquired via eggs of infected hens.
• Infected chicks via egg or hatchery die during the first few days of life (up to 2-3 weeks of age).

Common signs of respiratory disturbances

• Quiet and less active birds
• Snicking and clicking
• Swelling of eyelids
• Rales and coughing, watery discharges from eyes and nostrils caused by excess mucus in the trachea
• Difficulty in breathing with necks extended and beak open

On Fowl Pox

• Dry lesions: occur on skin, head, legs- enlarged and filled with fluid, may blend together and turn dark brown or black
• Wet lesions: occur in the pharyngeal area and upper GIT-interfere with breathing