Page 186 - BSAVA Guide to Pain Management in Small Animal Practice

7 | Pain in birds

VetBooks.ir e ex p e Degenerative joint disease

HISTORY AND PRESENTATION TREATMENT
A 17 year old male working Snowy wl was urther palpation of the feet revealed
presented, not perching normally. he bird sti ness and crepitus; some form of age
had been owned for 1 years and used for related foot problem was suspected. Bloods
pest control and in the entertainment industry were taken and were unremarkable.
e.g. displays . e was kept in a moderately Radiographs showed moderate to marked
si ed outdoor aviary and fed a variety of killed soft tissue swelling and bony changes around
whole prey foods; his bodyweight was many of the oints in the toes of both feet.
monitored daily. his was consistent with moderate
degenerative oint disease.
CLINICAL SIGNS In this case, it is very important to teach
the client how to assess the bird s pain level
he owl had no abnormal general clinical since treatment will vary depending on how
signs. is plumage was in good condition and uncomfortable the bird is on a day to day
weight a little above ying weight . he bird basis. here the pain appears mild then
was very bright and alert. he feet appeared keeping the bird lean, ying the bird more and
slightly swollen and warm to the touch. using dietary supplements glucosamine,
chondroitin, Boswelia may be ade uate to
SIGNS OF PAIN control the pain signs. NSAI s meloxicam
can be used as needed but if the signs
he owl was restless on his perches, shifting become more persistent then NSAI s should
his weight from one foot to the other and be used daily, titrating down to the minimum
sometimes knuckling and holding the feet e ective dose for that individual. As pain
in odd positions. e was less keen to work becomes more severe, adding in other
for food and more nippy with the handler medications such as tramadol and gabapentin
than normal. is indicated. Eventually, euthanasia is likely to
be re uired on welfare grounds.

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