Handling and Nursing Reptiles - Australian Veterinary Association

elatively short life-span of erythrocytes - 28 to 45 days. To assess the true blood loss
situation it is necessary to perform a PCV on the day after the blood loss occurs, as they can
shunt blood around their circulatory system very effectively giving rise to a false PCV if
performed on the same day that haemorrhage occurs.
In the case of a blood transfusion being required, it is commonly accepted that it is preferable
to collect blood from a donor within the same taxonomic group. I have used Galah blood for
all the parrots I have transfused because it is easily obtainable. There have been reports of
people using pigeon blood for parrots with success and no complications.
Principles of Emergency Treatment
Proper management of an avian emergency begins with the initial contact with the veterinary
hospital - usually over the telephone to the receptionist. Careful questioning and relaying
correct instructions will help your diagnosis. The client should bring the bird in the cage
without cleaning it. Any medications should also be brought in. Once you have been
notified, begin preparation for the arrival:
Prepare warm intravenous fluids.
Prepare a warm environment.
Prepare any specific medications or equipment indicated by the telephone
conversation.
Notify staff to expect the bird and expedite its admission.
Once the patient arrives perform triage:
Take the history while you perform a distant examination of both the bird and the cage.
Identify and assess the importance of any obvious or acute problems.
Decide if the bird is capable of tolerating the stress of restraint and close examination.
Check the ABC of cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Airway, Breathing and Circulation.
Assess posture, degree of alertness.
Auscultate heart: Heart Rate & Rhythm.
Assess any trauma and plan any surgical intervention required.
Develop a diagnostic and therapeutic plan to match patient’s condition
e.g.: Dyspnoea or cardiac/respiratory arrest – consider:
- inserting endotracheal tube or cannula into caudal abdominal air sac
- positive pressure ventilation
- intermittent pressure on keelbone to massage heart
- Adrenaline 1:1000 dose = 0.5-1.0mg/kg intravenous, intratracheal, intracardiac or
intraosseous
- Doxapram Hydrochloride - 5-10mg/kg intravenous, Intramuscular or subcutaneous
If the bird is critically ill or in shock, initial treatment is only supportive. Place the bird in a
humidicrib after administering intravenous or subcutaneous fluids and other medications as
indicated.
In selected cases it is preferable to anaesthetise the bird with Isoflurane to minimise stress
during initial treatment and sample collection. In my opinion, the use of Isoflurane is safer
than manually restraining a stressed and potentially compromised patient. Once the bird is
anaesthetised, an intravenous or intra-osseous catheter can be applied, and other samples such
as blood, crop wash or swabs from choana and/or cloaca can be collected, and radiographs
taken. (The volume of blood collected should not exceed 1% of the bird’s bodyweight). The
bird’s pre-treatment body weight should be recorded.