TESTS FOR SICK BIRDS
Why do tests on my bird?
Birds are very good at hiding illness. Tests are used in conjunction with the
findings of a physical examination and presenting history. Your veterinary surgeon
may need certain tests for further insight into the bird's problem or for early
detection of various disease conditions. This will assist in the diagnosis and
treatment of the ailment. Diagnostic tests are also used to evaluate or monitor
the progress a patient is making during treatment of disease. Note that anesthesia
may be used for certain tests since the stress of restraining a bird can be
far greater that a short anesthetic.
What tests can be done on a bird?
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Blood can be collected many ways from a bird. Your veterinary surgeon may clip
a cleaned toenail short or utilize one of your bird's blood vessels to safely
and easily obtain the sample needed with little stress to the bird. Only a small
amount of blood is needed in most cases.
The CBC is an in depth evaluation of the red blood cells and the 5 types of
white blood cells. Different diseases may affect the number, morphology (shape
and structure) and percentage distribution of the various types of blood cells
in the bird. There is so much potential information in this quick, simple test.
It is a common screening test for birds. Certain blood parasites may be detected
during this test.
Clinical Chemistry
With the serum (fluid portion) from the same sample of blood, a multitude of
tests will reveal data used to assess the biochemical condition of a patient.
Numerous enzymes and products of metabolism are evaluated. Different organs
such as the liver and kidney can be assessed.
Gram Stain
This is a commonly used diagnostic tool for your bird's veterinary surgeon.
A variety of samples frequently tested include the feces (your birds droppings),
vomit (crop contents), throat, eye and nose discharges and pus. These specimens
are carefully mounted on a microscope slide and treated with a series of special
stains. This test is used to detect the presence, or lack of, bacteria and yeast.
Bacteria are identified along with their shape, size and number. Since there
are bacteria occurring naturally in many samples collected from the body, your
veterinary surgeon will use his/her knowledge to determine which organisms are
supposed to be present and those that need treating. Further testing may be
important for positive identification. This is a quick test and is also be used
to follow the progress of a patient.
Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity
Bacteria play an important role in many diseases found in birds. Special sterile
swabs are used to carefully collect samples from the digestive tract, reproductive
tract, respiratory system, eyes, nose, ears, skin, sores and other tissues.
The laboratory will take the sample and attempt to grow, isolate and specifically
identify any disease causing organisms (bacteria or fungi). The next step is
to test these disease causing agents (pathogens) and determine which antibiotics
(antibacterial only) will work against the organism and those that have no affect
or are resistant. This test takes several days but its results allow the veterinary
surgeon to treat with greater specificity.
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Parasitology
Parasites may be found externally or internally in the digestive tract,
respiratory tract and blood or circulatory system. Various techniques
are utilized to diagnose the problem. Mites and lice may be visualized
unaided (for those with good eyes) or may require skin scraping samples
to be collected and examined under the microscope. The intestinal parasites
such as roundworms and Giardia, are detected using fecal floatation and
direct smear procedures. Actual adult worms are very seldom passed in
the droppings and therefore rarely detected by the owner.
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Urinalysis
The urine is the liquid part of a bird's dropping and under most normal circumstances
there will be little or none to evaluate. With certain disease processes enough
urine may be passed and carefully collected to assess the cellular and biochemical
components. Certain diseases such as diabetes can be detected.
Radiology
Radiographs provide invaluable internal information regarding bones, vital
organs, respiratory system, soft tissue masses and foreign bodies in the bird.
Changes in density, size, shape and relationship of organs and tissues are examined.
Some birds may need an anesthetic. to safely obtain quality radiographs.
Cytology
Certain tissues or fluid samples are carefully mounted on a microscope slide
and treated with a series of special stains (different from Gram Stains). These
are then examined by the veterinary surgeon or sent to a veterinary pathologist
to gather more information leading to a diagnosis.
Histology
Tissues removed surgically may be sent to the laboratory where a veterinary
pathologist will carefully prepare the sample for examination under the microscope.
These highly trained vets will specifically identify the disease process present
and may provide information useful for a prognosis.
Virology
Various samples can be used to detect the presence of particular viruses and
may be used to determine the underlying cause of a disease.
Chlamydiosis or Psittacosis Test
Fecal samples, cloacal (vent) swabs, tissue or blood samples are employed in
several different tests currently used to attempt to diagnose chlamydiosis.
Post-mortem or necropsy
Despite all efforts and care, not all patients can be saved. The final diagnostic
procedure is the post mortem or necropsy. It is best performed as close to the
time of death as possible. During this examination samples may be collected
to facilitate many of the tests previously described. Valuable information pertaining
to cause of death and confirmation of the suspected diagnosis will be revealed.
With this data important decisions may be made regarding other birds in the
same house. Much is learned at this time and it may even help other birds in
the future.
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