About Dr. Brian Speer, DVM
Avian veterinarian Dr. Brian Speer was raised in a small town on California's coast. He received his BS in Biology…
Ask An Expert: Dr. Brian Speer, DVM
Browse by category: Parrot Care, Behaviour and Training, Conservation, Ethics and Welfare, Housing and Environmental Enrichment, General, Health and Nutrition
Hello, My 18 year old Blue-fronted Amazon has been quite ill. She looked "odd" and had trouble balancing. She has always been very healthy, not overweight like a lot of Amazons are and in excellent feather. She has been on a mostly seed diet with several fresh green and yellow/red fruits and veggies daily. She has also been in season (very strongly) since late February. Normally, her "spring seasons" don't last this long. I took her to a large veterinary hospital immediately when I noticed the balance problem. Her regular avian vet had retired last year and since she has always been healthy, I hadn't looked around for another. Amyway, she had seemed fine the day before. The vet who examined her (a board certified avian vet) said she looked great, wasn't too fat or too thin and had beautiful feathering (already knew that).
She was admitted to the hospital because of the symptoms and to run a battery of tests. The vet called me a few hours later after taking blood. They found there was more fat in her blood than red blood cells! It was so bad they had to send the blood out for a CBC and chem panel (normally they can do these tests on site). She was started on gemfibrozil and niacin to reduce the fat in her blood, given a shot (I don't know what) to bring her out of season and sent her home with me last weekend after two days in the hospital. She was very stressed from being in the hospital. The medicines made her sick (vomited a minute or so after giving them) so I stopped giving them after a few days. She is eating but losing a lot of weight. I don't see much improvement in her balance but she is vocalizing normally and playing with her toys. The vet wants to switch her to an all pellet diet but to start it gradually. I have always offered some pellets but she has never liked them (my other birds, both citron cockatoos, eat them). I know this group doesn't offer medical advice but I was wondering if anyone has dealt with this problem (hyperlipidemia) brought on by being in season and what the outcome was? The vet said this could very well be fatal. Do you think fish oil would help? Flax oil? Any suggestions? While we have another appointment with this vet on Monday afternoon, I have a feeling there will just be more of the standard drugs and pellets prescription that clearly isn't working. I love this bird very much. She is the sweetest bird ever and tells me she loves me all the time. Please help!
She was admitted to the hospital because of the symptoms and to run a battery of tests. The vet called me a few hours later after taking blood. They found there was more fat in her blood than red blood cells! It was so bad they had to send the blood out for a CBC and chem panel (normally they can do these tests on site). She was started on gemfibrozil and niacin to reduce the fat in her blood, given a shot (I don't know what) to bring her out of season and sent her home with me last weekend after two days in the hospital. She was very stressed from being in the hospital. The medicines made her sick (vomited a minute or so after giving them) so I stopped giving them after a few days. She is eating but losing a lot of weight. I don't see much improvement in her balance but she is vocalizing normally and playing with her toys. The vet wants to switch her to an all pellet diet but to start it gradually. I have always offered some pellets but she has never liked them (my other birds, both citron cockatoos, eat them). I know this group doesn't offer medical advice but I was wondering if anyone has dealt with this problem (hyperlipidemia) brought on by being in season and what the outcome was? The vet said this could very well be fatal. Do you think fish oil would help? Flax oil? Any suggestions? While we have another appointment with this vet on Monday afternoon, I have a feeling there will just be more of the standard drugs and pellets prescription that clearly isn't working. I love this bird very much. She is the sweetest bird ever and tells me she loves me all the time. Please help!
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Lots to say here in general, although specifics pertinent to your bird cannot be applied, of course. Hyperlipidemia is quite common in Amazon parrots, most frequently when there is overnutrition (fatty or calorie dense foods), or when combined with estrogenic hormonal activity. Frequently, there will be fatty liver disease, with significant liver dysfunction involved. In this light, the finding of the symptom of hyperlipidemia is valid, and suggestive strongly of a need for change. This in your bird includes an absolute need to change the diet to a low energy diet (even though you say your bird will not eat a pelletized diet - there is a need to change), and behavioral modification to control and eliminate reproductive drive issues. Birds do not "come into season" as mammals do, and realistically respond with increases or decreased in reproductive drive in response to environmental ques. These include but are not limited to the perceived presence of a pair bonded mate, the perception of a nesting site, the perception that there are nutritional conditions of abundance, the presence of a high-calorie diet, etc. I would presume that the injection given was a counter-hormonal treatment to try to help stop oestrogenic activities in your bird - but the real fix comes from a combination of dietary and behaivoral modifications. The other very very very real risk to consider here would be that your bird can also have cardiovascular disease - yet another disease linked to fatty foods, inactivity and hyperlipidemia. A lack of balance and coordination, combined with weight loss is not uncommonly seen in Amazon parrots suffering with Athlerosclerosis. Fish oils should not realistically help your bird at present time in and of themselves. What you really need is a bit more accurate of a diagnosis in which to apply a balanced combination of behavioral guidance, nutritional modification and chemotherapeutic intervention. Flax oils also should not realistically help your bird at present time in and of themselves. What you really need is a bit more accurate of a diagnosis in which to apply a balanced combination of behavioral guidance, nutritional modification and chemotherapeutic intervention. A "standard set of drugs and pellets prescription" also should not realistically help your bird at present time in and of themselves. What you really need is a bit more accurate of a diagnosis in which to apply a balanced combination of behavioral guidance, nutritional modification and chemotherapeutic intervention. I wish you the best of fortune in sorting out your bird's problem a bit more accurately and formulating the needed lifestyle changes that she needs, Brian Speer, DVM. Diplomate, ABVP, Diplomate, ECAMS.filed under: Health and Nutrition
My question:- Is it OK to use Ivermectin as a periodical wormer for my Cockatiels instead of a pigeon wormer which is diluted in their drinking water?
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
In my mind's eye, this is not OK. I am not aware of the presence or absence of intestinal parasites in your flock of cockatiels. We do not know the environmental conditions that may dictate the amount of water consumption. Ivermectin is not necessarily a benign drug, and should not be administered unless there is a clear cause of action or clear diagnosis present. My best recommendations would be to work with the recommendations of your attending veterinarian in order to help make the most appropriate preventative health decisions you can for your flock.filed under: Health and Nutrition
Hello, I have a question on how to give worming medicine to aviary birds. I've heard of ivermectin drops and a pigeon wormer that is diluted in the drinking water. The birds don`t drink a lot of water and I want to be sure they are free of internal parasites. What would you recommend to be the best?
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Your best answer would come from your attending veterinarian who is most aware of the setting the birds are in, their species, their underlying diet and management, and what types of "worms" may or may not be present. Should your birds not have intestinal parasites, there should be no need for the use of any form of anthelmenthic. Should there be parasites present, on occasion, Ivermection may have merit, but this drug would also be quite ineffective for other parasites that may be present.filed under: Health and Nutrition
My question: Is it possible to eradicate gape worm in cockatiels? Every so often I notice my birds stretch their necks and shake their heads with their beak open. My avian vet applies a wormer which prevents this happening for 6-7 months and then I notice this occur again.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Syngamus trachea infestation (gape worm) would be a pretty uncommon diagnosis in such a small bird species. Simply considering the overall size of the parasite and the comparatively narrow tracheal size of the host. I would suggest that you ask your veterinarian to re-confirm this diagnosis in your bird as a first step, and then, if the parasite is confirmed via tracheal endoscopy or other modalities, have the environment and intermediate hosts of the parasite completely and effectively removed.filed under: Health and Nutrition
We have a 2 year old Galah cockatoo who is playful. The other day he had an accident – we have an electric oven and he one of the rings had not cooled down and he walked over it (there is glass above the ring). He seems to be OK but a little subdued and has a small sore on his left foot. Is there anything you recommend we do, does he need to see a vet in case of infection? He is weight-bearing on his other foot. I feel terrible about this as I am normally extremely careful around the home with him.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
When there are concerns about the health and welfare of your bird, a proper physical examination by a veterinarian is appropriate, and I certainly recommend it for your bird if there are problems here.filed under: Health and Nutrition
We have a female African Grey approximately 30 years old and until recently been in good health. Our avian veterinarian found cloaca papillomas which were
successfully removed with silver nitrate. Upon recheck they had returned. A more complex surgery was rejected as a treatment due to age and possibility of recurrence. We have tried Acyclovir with limited success. We are looking for any other reasonable treatment but have not found any. Any possible treatments that have a possibility of success that we should investigate would be greatly appreciated.
successfully removed with silver nitrate. Upon recheck they had returned. A more complex surgery was rejected as a treatment due to age and possibility of recurrence. We have tried Acyclovir with limited success. We are looking for any other reasonable treatment but have not found any. Any possible treatments that have a possibility of success that we should investigate would be greatly appreciated.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Overall, infectious papillomatous disease is comparatively quite rare in the grey parrot. My first recommendations would be to ask your attending veterinarian about the specific manner in which this diagnosis has been confirmed. Proper diagnosis requires biopsy with correlating histopathology. There is a facial papillomavirus infection reported in grey parrots, and there has been one grey parrot reported to be infected with Psittacid herpesvirus, but this bird did not have cloacal papillomas as has been seen in South American species of parrots. Acyclovir has been used in active herpesviral infections to help stop viral replication, but this drug has not been shown to have merit in the treatment of papillomatous disease associated with Psittacid herpesviral infections. Other considerations you may have to keep in mind here could include mechanically induced cloacal inflammation, bacterial cloacitis, or cloacal carcinoma. A carefully selected and diagnostic biopsy will get you quite far towards accurate diagnosis, with potentially an aerobic culture sample from the biopsy site. Once diagnosis is clarified, treatment should become much more straightforward.filed under: Health and Nutrition
Dear Sir, I would be very much obliged if you kindly go through the contents of my letter and advise me the medical course to be followed.
We are three in my family based in Bhopal, MP and about five years back my daughter brought one baby bird (parrot) and since then we have been so fond of parrot that in today's condition it is really unbelievable that we cannot live without parrot with us.
Today we have four parrots and two love birds in our fault and they all remain open out of their cage and their presence at all places in my small flat is felt. Things so far was very very enjoyable for us. About 15 days back we have added one more baby bird (parrot)who is hardly 25 / 27 days old and feathers have just started appearing all around body. We were taking extreme care for his growth, but one unfortunate incidence which happened on 22.02.08 (6-20 p.m.)has changed the total environment of my family.
The baby bird fell from our hand at an approximate height of 6 ft straight on to the floor and since then he has been struggling. Immediately after the incidence I rushed to a medical centre and based on their advice I gave 1/2 Ciproflox 250 mg and combiflem 1/2 which he vomited immediately and the condition of the said bird detoriating. After about one hour we took him to a nearby doctor of a dog and other pet centre where he was administered an injection containing medicines (vetcort .2 ml I/M + Melonex .2 mg I/M). This was the course of medicines that were applied on him on the day of incidence. The doctor said that it needed a life saving drugs that's why this injection was given and if god wants it will regain its normalcy. Next day morning after seeing him struggle for the entire night we again took him to the same doctor who after thoroughly checking the baby bird (parrot) confirmed that there has been several internal injuries in the lower part of its body as it had straight fallen from a height of 6 ft and couldn't take off his weight by opening his wing at the time of fall, otherwise part of his weight could have been absorbed. There has only a few feathers that have so far appeared in his body is in upper part of the body covering his wings which is not enough for flying. There may be several fractures in his neck and the abdominal zones. Doctor applied spray around his body to soothe his pain and also multivitan syrup was given thrice on the next including glucon D and from evening the combination of Ceflixime and ibugesic plus syrup @ 2 drops each are being given three times. It seems he has little improved but in our opinion he is still in danger.
We want him back like other days and would be very much thankful if you could advise us the name of medicines that could better work at this moment and the name if there is any doctor available in Bhopal. We are constantly monitoring the situation but unable to do anything more because of non availability of any scope in Bhopal. Meanwhile, in three days besides several vomiting, it had toilet twice, today and yesterday which was full of clotted blood. We cannot measure whether he is still having bleeding inside. Since you are associated with a cause that's simply best so far as we are concerned we feel we must seek your guidance in the matter. Can you really advise me as what I can do right now and the details of medicines that the baby bird needs a t the moment. I am eagerly awaiting your reply in the matter, for which myself and my family would personally remain ever thankful to you and your organization.
We are three in my family based in Bhopal, MP and about five years back my daughter brought one baby bird (parrot) and since then we have been so fond of parrot that in today's condition it is really unbelievable that we cannot live without parrot with us.
Today we have four parrots and two love birds in our fault and they all remain open out of their cage and their presence at all places in my small flat is felt. Things so far was very very enjoyable for us. About 15 days back we have added one more baby bird (parrot)who is hardly 25 / 27 days old and feathers have just started appearing all around body. We were taking extreme care for his growth, but one unfortunate incidence which happened on 22.02.08 (6-20 p.m.)has changed the total environment of my family.
The baby bird fell from our hand at an approximate height of 6 ft straight on to the floor and since then he has been struggling. Immediately after the incidence I rushed to a medical centre and based on their advice I gave 1/2 Ciproflox 250 mg and combiflem 1/2 which he vomited immediately and the condition of the said bird detoriating. After about one hour we took him to a nearby doctor of a dog and other pet centre where he was administered an injection containing medicines (vetcort .2 ml I/M + Melonex .2 mg I/M). This was the course of medicines that were applied on him on the day of incidence. The doctor said that it needed a life saving drugs that's why this injection was given and if god wants it will regain its normalcy. Next day morning after seeing him struggle for the entire night we again took him to the same doctor who after thoroughly checking the baby bird (parrot) confirmed that there has been several internal injuries in the lower part of its body as it had straight fallen from a height of 6 ft and couldn't take off his weight by opening his wing at the time of fall, otherwise part of his weight could have been absorbed. There has only a few feathers that have so far appeared in his body is in upper part of the body covering his wings which is not enough for flying. There may be several fractures in his neck and the abdominal zones. Doctor applied spray around his body to soothe his pain and also multivitan syrup was given thrice on the next including glucon D and from evening the combination of Ceflixime and ibugesic plus syrup @ 2 drops each are being given three times. It seems he has little improved but in our opinion he is still in danger.
We want him back like other days and would be very much thankful if you could advise us the name of medicines that could better work at this moment and the name if there is any doctor available in Bhopal. We are constantly monitoring the situation but unable to do anything more because of non availability of any scope in Bhopal. Meanwhile, in three days besides several vomiting, it had toilet twice, today and yesterday which was full of clotted blood. We cannot measure whether he is still having bleeding inside. Since you are associated with a cause that's simply best so far as we are concerned we feel we must seek your guidance in the matter. Can you really advise me as what I can do right now and the details of medicines that the baby bird needs a t the moment. I am eagerly awaiting your reply in the matter, for which myself and my family would personally remain ever thankful to you and your organization.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
I hope your little bird has continued to recover from its injuries with the supportive care advice that Phoebe G. had provided.Looking back through your description of clinical signs, treatments administered and how this bird was doing, there are concerns that come to my mind but these would be most realistically tempered by the response of this bird to nursing and supportive care. 1/2 of a tablet of Ciprofloxacin would be about 125 mg, which would be the dose typically administered to a 6 kilogram bird, and no parrots are in this large of a weight range. Presuming that this youngster is a typical youngster, that dose should have been considerably higher than optimally desired. When administered in a tablet form, sometimes these products lodge in the esophagus, and cause mechanical irritation, which theoretically could have a role with the continued discomfort in swallowing that you describe with this young chick. I am not familiar with the specific brand names or drug concentrations mentioned (Vetcort and Melonex), and cannot comment on their potential merit or problems. Many products ending with "cort" are cortisone or corticosteriod drugs, which generally are not recommended for use in birds, particularly in youngsters. Sometimes, in an urgent "life saving" situation, however, these types of drugs may be used. Your greatest probability of this chick recovering from a mechanical injury will be through simple supportive care, and not through the use of drugs, overall. Fluid support (administered by gavage or parenterally) is huge in this regard, as is the delivery of good nutrition and warmth. I hope this bird has recovered, and wish you the best. Thanks so much for trying so hard to help this feathered soul.
filed under: Health and Nutrition
Hello! I have a female cockatiel who is about 8 years old. Today I noticed that she has an injury near her ceres. It looks like a cut or a scrape. I am concerned that a kitten I am fostering may have scraped her with a nail. I put some hydrogen peroxide and pressure on the injury to disinfect it (I have a small parrot emergency kit and the manual said to do this) Do I need to take her to the vet? How serious is a scrape from a cat? I know cats have a dangerous bacteria in their saliva, is it on their nails too? Please let me know what my options are.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Any direct or indirect contact with feline saliva and your bird, including feathers-only, should be followed by immediate veterinary physical examination and probably broad spectrum antibacterial treatment. At this point in time, if your bird is alive, you are fortunate and have dodged the bullet this time. Pasturella multocida infection and sepsis is a very very nasty problem when it happens, and I would advise that if there is another event in the future you immediately contact your local veterinarian for assistance.filed under: Health and Nutrition
WPT MEMBER'S LOGIN
