Regular Veterinary Check-Ups for Birds

You frequently hear about regular veterinary care for dogs and cats, but did you know that birds require regular checkups as well? A surprising number of people are not aware that annual check-ups with your avian veterinarian are highly recommended. Birds do not show signs of illness in the more obvious forms that dogs and cats do, so it's very important that your bird is regularly evaluated to be sure it's healthy.

Find a good avian veterinarian, and take your bird in as soon as possible. The earlier you start taking your bird in, the better. It is beneficial to your bird if your veterinarian is familiar with him or her, as this makes it easier to determine signs of illness. During your bird's annual check-up, your veterinarian should do the following:

Physical Exam. This generally involves the veterinarian observing your bird and its behaviors to note anything abnormal. He will also check the weight of your bird, and may "towel" your bird-wrapping the bird in a cloth in order to confine the wings-to check for any physical abnormalities. Checking the weight of your bird is important, as weight loss is usually the first, and often the only, sign of an illness that can be determined without testing.

Droppings Exam. The vet should check the bottom of the cage you brought your bird in for droppings. He's looking for any abnormalities in color or shape, which can denote illness or infection. He may also take a swab of your bird's vent-the opening below its tail-to further rule out problems.

Blood Tests. This is not always done, but you can request it if your veterinarian does not volunteer to do it. It consists of several different tests that are performed to rule out diseases and infections of all kinds. Blood tests also determine the gender of your bird, so if you are interested in learning your bird's sex, they are an added bonus.

Grooming. The annual exam is a good time to go ahead and get any grooming activities taken care of as well, such as nail trimming and wing clipping. If this is your first visit to an avian veterinarian, please read up on wing clipping before opting to have this done. Never let your veterinarian pressure you into this procedure.

Ask your avian vet questions throughout the exam. Don't be afraid to question the method by which he is doing something, or his reasons for it. The only stupid question is one that goes unasked. You may want to get his advice on how to balance your bird's diet, how to check for common problems such as mites, and how you can tell if your bird needs medical care. These are trained professionals, and no one is more knowledgeable about birds than they. Take advantage of that knowledge to help better your bird's life.