Vet’s Corner

Articles regarding Parrot care by our very own vets at Calgary Avian and Exotic vet clinic.

• PDD
  AVIAN BORNAVIRUS INFECTION AND PROVENTRICULAR DILATATION DISEASE Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is a progressive and often fatal disease of birds that primarily affects the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Early on, this poorly understood disease appeared to affect primarily macaws and was referred to as Macaw Wasting Disease. It is now known to occur in more ...
• PSITTACINE BEAK AND FEATHER DISEASE
  Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a highly contagious viral disease of parrots caused by the Psittacine beak and feather disease virus (a circovirus). It primarily affects the cells responsible for feather, beak, and immune system development, leading to progressive feather abnormalities and immunosuppression. PBFD is most commonly seen in young birds, although birds ...
• AVIAN CHLAMYDIOSIS AND PSITTACOSIS
  Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever, is a contagious disease of birds caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. It most commonly affects psittacine birds such as parrots, budgerigars, cockatiels, and macaws, but can also be seen in other avian species. This organism is of particular concern because it is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted ...
• AVIAN POLYOMAVIRUS
  AVIAN POLYOMAVIRUS Avian polyomavirus is a small, non-enveloped DNA virus that infects a wide range of pet and aviary birds, particularly psittacine species. There are two recognized forms of the virus with important clinical distinctions. Avian polyomavirus type 1 primarily affects budgerigars and is often referred to as budgerigar fledgling disease virus. Avian polyomavirus type 2 ...
• Parrots and Frostbite
  Living this far north, we Canadians have learned how to protect ourselves from sub-zero winter weather.  We bundle ourselves up with boots, toques, warm coats and cozy mittens when heading outside. Without such protection, prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures could lead to hypothermia and frostbite.  Unfortunately, humans are not the only species at risk for frostbite.  ...
• Keeping multiple parrots.
  The following outlines important factors for maintaining a healthy flock. By Leticia Materi, PhD DVM Calgary Avian and Exotic Pet Clinic Quarantine A proper quarantine protocol is the most important step to prevent spread of disease in any animal collection.  Its purpose is to allow sufficient time for newly acquired birds to exhibit clinical signs of disease and to ...
• Mango’s Surgery
  Mango’s Medical Story Anna and Steve brought Mango to our clinic shortly after his surrender for his general assessment and to address a chronic open wound on his upper chest. Mango had a history of feather destructive behaviour and sadly, he fell into that group, typical of male Moluccan Cockatoos, that takes feather destructive behaviour to the ...
• Keeping your bird merry (and safe) at Christmas
  By Leticia Materi, PhD DVM The holiday season is a time of cheer and good will, entertaining, decorations, and tasty goodies.  However, it is also a time of disrupted routines, compromised eating habits, lack of sleep, and chaos! We humans can easily take a moment for ourselves during the hustle and bustle of the holidays: grab a nap, ...