| Description |
This page has been prepared for the "UK
Wildlife: First Aid and Care" Wildpro module, and is designed for the
needs of the following species: Columba
livia - Rock pigeon, Columba
oenas - Stock pigeon, Columba
palumbus - Common wood-pigeon, Streptopelia
turtur - European turtle-dove, Streptopelia
decaocto - Eurasian collared-dove. These species are from the families Columbidae.
Some of these birds, particularly the wood pigeon (Columba
palumbas - Common wood-pigeon) may become highly stressed on handling and
can shed large quantities of feathers. Firm but gentle handling, for as short a time as
possible, should be used.
Catching and Handling:
- May be caught by hand-held net or by hand.
- If a net is used it is preferable to use a net with a padded rim and a bag of thin
opaque cloth or small mesh to reduce the risk of entanglement.
- When catching by hand, grasp the bird from above, bringing both hands around the body
and keeping the wings closed against the body.
- Hold with the feet side by side between the first and second fingers (palm of the hand
facing upwards) and the thumb of the same hand over the top of the tail and the ends of
the primary flight feathers, thereby holding the wings in a normal closed position; the
other hand then supports the breast.
- Hold the bird facing towards the handler, this reduces escape attempts if the grip of
the hand relaxes slightly.
- For woodpigeons which are strong birds, the recommended holding position is with both
hands around the body and wings. This may also be used for other species.
Restraint for examination and treatment:
- Hold with the feet side by side between the first and second fingers (palm of the hand
facing upwards) and the thumb of the same hand over the top of the tail and the ends of
the primary flight feathers, thereby holding the wings in a normal closed position.
- The other hand is therefore free to support the breast or to extend each wing in turn
for examination.
- For wood pigeons holding with both hands around the body, a second person conduction the
examination, is preferable.
For wood pigeons, which are strong and highly stressed birds, two people may be
required; one person holds the bird with both hands around the body whilst the other
performs the clinical examination.
- Subdued lighting may be used if possible to calm the bird.
- Covering the bird's head with a lightweight cloth may help to calm the bird.
- Prolonged examination and treatment may best be performed with the bird under general
anaesthesia.
(B11.2.w16,
B11.24.w23, B123,
B151,
B156.14.w14,
B197.14.w14,
V.w26)
General Anaesthesia (Generic
"Bird" Information)
- A variety of techniques have been used for induction and maintenance of general
anaesthesia in birds including injectable anaesthetics such as ketamine, propofol, saffan,
medetomidine, etc and gaseous anaesthetics such as halothane and isoflurane. Further
information regarding the use of different anaesthetic agents is available as described
for use in waterfowl. See:
- Isoflurane is currently considered to be the anaesthetic agent of choice for induction
and maintenance of general anaesthesia in birds in most circumstances and species.
- Induction of general anaesthesia with a gaseous agent can be achieved using a face mask
or induction chamber.
- Use of an anaesthetic chamber for induction may be preferable with small birds
because it avoids the stress involved with manual restraint during mask induction.
- The walls of the anaesthetic chamber should preferably be made of a transparent or
translucent material that facilitates easy monitoring of the patient during induction and
transfer to an anaesthetic mask or intubation at the appropriate depth of general
anaesthesia.
- In the majority of cases, intubation of birds is recommended during the maintenance of
general anaesthesia. However, for very small birds and / or very short procedures
intubation may not be appropriate. Clinical judgement should be used to determine whether
intubation is appropriate for the size of species, procedure and likely duration of
general anaesthesia required.
- The majority of birds have simple solid cartilaginous rings within the trachea. As a
consequence, the use of cuffed endotracheal tubes is not generally recommended because of
the potential risk of the cuff exerting local pressure which could damage the trachea and
lead to secondary tissue necrosis. The use of a non-cuffed endotracheal tubes is generally
recommended. However in specific circumstances where the risks of gastrointestinal
contents reflux (e.g. flushing of the gizzard to remove particulate lead material in
waterfowl) may be particularly high, partial inflation of a cuffed tube may be practised
with great care.
- The need for fluid therapy by an appropriate route should be considered during general
anaesthesia, particularly in birds which may be dehydrated. Clinical judgement, based on
general principles, must be used regarding the route, volume and type of fluids required.
- Consideration should be given to prevent hypothermia. The ambient temperature of the
room should be comfortably warm (20oC - 25oC)
and external heat sources may be appropriate (e.g. heat mats etc.), particularly for
longer anaesthetics and collapsed animals. Care must be taken not to overheat the animal
or cause burns.
- There must be good ventilation in any room used for gaseous anaesthesia. In normal
circumstances an anaesthetic gas scavenging system should be in place, particularly when
masks and chambers are used. Exposure to anaesthetic gases can pose a risk to the
operating staff, either through toxic effects of the gas or inadvertent self-anaesthesia
of the veterinary and nursing staff.
- Further information, with particular reference to
waterfowl, and including emergency procedures, is available in: Treatment
and Care - Anaesthesia and Chemical Restraint.
(B11,
B13.39.w16,
B14,
B197,
V.w5,
V.w6 V.w26) |
