The Health Exam

. A heath exam or a post-purchase exam is extremely important to assure that the bird that you have just purchased -- or the one you have owned for awhile -- is truly healthy. Birds, unlike many other species, will mask signs of illness until they are no longer able to do so, and because of this, may appear "fine" to their owner, but really may have been ill for quite some time. By the time a bird is at the bottom of its cage, it is in big trouble.

For this reason, it is extremely important to have your bird -- whether a newly acquired bird or a long time pet -- examined by an avian veterinarian. It is essential to realize that not all veterinarians are familiar with birds and their illnesses, so it is necessary to be sure that the veterinarian you chose is an avian veterinarian.

Before discussing the components of an examination, I want to stress that it is very important to quarantine any newly acquired bird for a minimum of 30 days! It is heart breaking to add a new bird, which appears normal and healthy, to your collection only to find your other birds appearing ill or dying a short time later. I don't want to alarm you -- but birds can mask illnesses and the stress of a new home can cause them to become ill as well as to shed bacteria and viruses to your other birds. This quarantine period also allows you to have a series of diagnostic tests done -- and gives you the opportunity to observe the new bird and any abnormalities it may show.

The first component of the health exam is a thorough history and physical. From where was the bird acquired? How long have you owned it? Have you noticed anything unusual about this bird? Do you have other birds -- and has the new bird been in contact with them? What is its diet? These questions are all important in establishing a basic understanding of this new bird and its new home.

A thorough physical examination is performed next. The vet will begin by observing the bird on its perch and in its cage. Is its appearance normal? Is it bright and alert and interested in its surroundings? Or -- is it puffed up and indifferent? A healthy bird should always be alert and inquisitive. The eyes and nostrils will be examined for any signs of swelling or discharge. The oral cavity is evaluated for signs of infection, abscesses, or abnormal secretions. The air sacs, lungs and heart are asculted* (*ascult - to examine with stethoscope) to be sure they are normal. The breast muscles and abdomen are evaluated by palpation. The beak, feathers, skin, skeleton, feet and nails are inspected for signs of disease, parasites or nutritional problems. The bird's weight is recorded, and it is evaluated as to whether or not it is normal for the bird at this time.

Diet and other requirements of the patient are discussed at this initial visit. As you can see, this first part of the examination yields very important information.