Diagnosing

Diagnosing Disease in your Pet Bird

When your pet bird falls ill, of course your first reaction is to figure out what is wrong. However, because bird anatomy is so different from out own, it can be almost impossible for even the most caring bird owner to determine the cause of a bird's illness. Even most vets and not specially trained to deal with birds. In order for you to truly figure out what is wrong with your bird's health, it is important to have a vet specializing in birds diagnose the problem. He of she will do so through a series of tests.

First, your vet will examine the bird's physical condition. Certain signs should as being overweight or losing feathers could indicate certain illnesses within your bird. The vet will then move on to examining the bird's droppings. This can be very valuable in determining if something is wrong. Color, volume, composition, smell, and wetness are all important here. A sample may also be viewed with a microscope to determine the possibility of your bird having parasites.

X-rays may also help your vet determine what is wrong with your bird. We most commonly associate x-rays with broken bones, but they can also indicate the size of organs, the condition of the lungs, and the appearance of masses like tumors.

Blood test are another way vets approached diagnosis when it comes to birds. Blood samples are safe to be taken and can be sent to a lab to determine certain illnesses. Blood parasites may also be a problem for your bird, and only using blood samples can vets spot these creatures. Like with humans, blood results may take a few days to come back, so if your bird is vet sick, this may not be the best approach.

Microbiology screen can help vets diagnose your bird's disease as well. In this kind of test, a sample is taken of the bird's tissues. Commonly, this is done by swabbing the throat or using another small sample type, or by using a fluid from the bird. A vet can spot bacteria and yeast in these samples, which can be major problems in birds if overgrown.

Once your pet is diagnosed, treatment is much easier. It if extremely difficult for your bird to get better if he or she does not receive the proper care, and good care starts with knowing the problem. Diagnosing your bird alone is usually not a good idea unless you are a trained professional—remember, your bird depends on your for all health needs, so making it possible for your bird to see a vet is crucial and one of your important responsibilities.