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Birds

  • Bumblefoot is a term used to describe an infectious or inflammatory condition involving the bottom of the foot pad on one or both feet in birds. Causes include improper perching surfaces or traumatic injuries to one or both foot pads. The condition is painful and causes the bird to become lame on the affected foot/feet. Proper veterinary care is essential to resolving this severe condition.

  • Cleaning a bird cage should be a weekly routine. Since food particles and fecal material can harbor and entice bacterial and fungal growth, cage cleaning is extremely important to maintain a healthy environment for your bird. Soap and water make excellent cleaning solutions. Some materials, such as wood, wicker, and rope are impossible to disinfect and, therefore, should be replaced regularly.

  • Pet canaries should be fed a well-balanced and varied diet at all times. Several commercially formulated pelleted diets in various colors, shapes, and sizes have been developed to meet all birds' nutritional needs. Your bird's health depends on how well it is fed.

  • Canaries are lovely small birds. The males have a very melodious song. Canaries are generally easy to care for, and with a proper diet and routine veterinary check-ups, they can live up to 10 years.

  • Candida is a type of yeast that may cause problems in the digestive tract of birds. In young birds, immunocompromised birds, or birds that have been on antibiotics for an extended period, candida may overgrow in the digestive tract and cause various problems, such as 'sour crop'.

  • COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease of humans that was first discovered in late 2019. The illness is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, which is a new coronavirus that has not previously been identified in humans. Certain animals can be infected by the COVID-19 virus, but it appears to be infrequent. Dogs and cats seldom show severe clinical illness if infected with COVID-19.

  • Carprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used on and off label. It is given by mouth in the form of a tablet to treat pain and inflammation. The most common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Do not use this medication in pets with bleeding disorders, in pets that are allergic to it or other NSAIDs in the same class, or in pets concurrently using corticosteroids or other NSAIDs. If a negative reaction occurs, call your veterinary office.

  • Cataract formation is a reasonably well-known occurrence in pet birds. Canaries are more prone to cataract formation than other species of birds. Cataracts may be inherited or be secondary to a traumatic injury or infection involving one or both eyes.

  • Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat certain susceptible bacterial infections. It is also used before surgery to prevent infection in cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, and other animals. Cefazolin comes in an injectable form. Do not use in guinea pigs, hamsters, and similar rodents.

  • Ceftazidime is a third-generation, injectable, cephalosporin antibiotic that kills bacteria. It is usually reserved for more serious infections. It comes as an injectable solution that is given at the veterinary hospital. Ceftazidime is used off-label in dogs, cats, birds and reptiles.