Giardia

Avian microscopy

Treatment and Prevention of Giardia In Birds What is giardiasis? Giardiasis is the term for infection with the protozoan Giardia. These are spherical parasites with four flagella at one pole and a single undulating membrane along one length. Where does Giardia live? Giardia attach to the intestines of their hosts. They have a motile trophozoite…

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Heavy Metal Poisoning

Chickens Lead Poisoning

Blood lead testing machine for birds, in house at the Melbourne chicken vet, it uses 1/20th of a ml of blood and we routinely test blood lead levels in sick hens. Treatment and Prevention of Heavy Metal Poisoning in Birds How Does Heavy Metal Poisoning Occur? Since birds love to chew and generally have very…

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Trichomoniasis (Canker)

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis in a Tawny Frogmouth What is Trichomoniasis? Trichomonasis is an infection caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas gallinum. It is also known as canker (in pigeons and budgerigars) or frounce (in raptors). Where does Trichomonas gallinum live? Trichomonas gallinum is usually found in the upper parts of the respiratory and digestive system –…

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Dealing With Common Bird Emergencies

Bird Emergency

We recommend that bird owners keep phone numbers for their local vet, out of hours emergency centre and their avian vet (ours is 03 9808 9011) handy at all times. You should have a heat lamp or hospital cage, towel and travel cage readily available in case of emergencies. In addition, the following items are…

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Chlamydiosis in Birds

Psittacosis

A Bourke Parrot with conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydiosis Avian Chlamydiosis | Psittacosis Psittacosis or Chlamydiosis. Psittacosis (also called chlamydiosis or chlamydophilosis) is a bird disease that can, on rare occasions, be transmitted to humans. In birds, it typically causes respiratory and/or liver problems or gastrointestinal upsets and can cause death. In humans it can cause…

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Scaly Mites In Birds

Scaly Mites

Scaly Mites General Information Scaly mites, Cnemidocoptes pillae, are a microscopic species of mite that cause skin problems (‘scaly face’, ‘scaly leg’ and ‘tassel foot’) by burrowing under the skin in budgerigars, canaries, finches and a variety of other bird species. Cnemidocoptes mutans is a close cousin that causes scaly leg in chickens. Scaly Mites…

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Worms In Birds

Round Worms

Intestinal rupture caused by a heavy round worm (ascarid) infestation Bird Parasites Treatment and Prevention Common worm parasites in pet birds include roundworms (e.g. Ascarids and Heterakis), Capillaria, strongyles, tapeworms and spiruroids (gizzard worms). Tape worms and spiruroids have an indirect life cycle with a variety of beetles and insects acting as intermediate hosts and…

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Going Light and the Sick Bird Look

Sick Bird Look

My Bird Looks Fluffed Up, What Should I Do? My bird looks ‘fluffed up’ – what should I do? Going Light and the Sick Bird Look . Birds in the wild have a natural instinct to hide their illness or injury so that they do not become a target for predation. This means that a…

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Chickens: Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD)

Chicken Respiratory Disease (CRD)

What is Chronic Respiratory Disease in Chickens? CRD is one of the most common causes of disease in backyard hens seen at the chicken vet. Classic Chronic respiratory disease (CRD) occurs when chickens and turkeys that are infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum are stressed. The bacteria then causes Respiratory disease. Mycoplasma gallisepticum is contagious and can…

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Avian Reproductive Disease

Reproductive Disease in Chickens

How To Prevent Reproductive Disease One of the most common reasons for backyard hens to come to Melbourne Chicken Vet is for reproductive tract disease. Laying breeds have been bred to lay eggs so prolifically that complications are common. Chickens are very good at hiding illness, so by the time they look sick the disease…

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