New bird: what really needs to be checked by vet?

ForteBebe · Mar 19, 2016

Whenever I get a new bird checked by a vet I always walk out with a hefty bill... Just curious, what are the main things that need to be done to make sure the bird is healthy?

Flboy · Mar 19, 2016

You can save a ton of bucks. Use
Avian Services Center: DNA sexing and disease testing for all species of birds.

for blood work! They even send free kits! This is who most of the vets Use and they just up-charge everything

ForteBebe · Mar 20, 2016

Thanks, I used them last year for dna sexing two birds, the vet wanted $50 a piece. What should I test for? Looks like they can test for a lot of different things. They have a package called New Bird Testing and that includes: DNA Sexing, PBFD, Polyoma, Chlamydia, Avian Herpes (Pacheco's) for $85 a piece. Is all that necessary?

Thanks for any help.

RavensGryf · Mar 20, 2016

$85 for all that? That's a bargain! Compared to the price the vets charge anyway. I do believe in the disease testing. You might really be surprised, but it's out there. I would take a new bird to the vet for a new bird exam. I'd get a blood panel for organ function (especially when not a baby), a CBC, disease tests, and a complete physical exam. That's just me though. ...and unfortunately yes, it can be quite expensive to own a bird

.

Edit: I forgot to say earlier about poop testing too to check for any 'bad' bacteria and yeast. Parasite test might be good too since many birds' parents are in outdoor aviaries.

everdusk · Mar 20, 2016

Just adopted an 8 year old Hahns. He's going to have to go to the vet soon because he needs a beak trim. I've also been considering blood panel and disease testing. I should shop around and see who's cheapest! I'm going to let him settle in until next month before I traumatize him at the vets though.

Flboy · Mar 20, 2016

ForteBebe said:
Thanks, I used them last year for dna sexing two birds, the vet wanted $50 a piece. What should I test for? Looks like they can test for a lot of different things. They have a package called New Bird Testing and that includes: DNA Sexing, PBFD, Polyoma, Chlamydia, Avian Herpes (Pacheco's) for $85 a piece. Is all that necessary?

Thanks for any help.

Definitely, not needed.....if your bird does not have any of these diseases! But if your baby is sick, then this is probably a good investment! (Sarcasm not directed at you, I struggle with the same questions!)

DRB · Mar 28, 2016

What is a good age to get a young bird checked by a vet for the first time?

I got my Perjo from a well respected breeder with a clean bill of health, and she's 16 weeks old right now.

RavensGryf · Mar 28, 2016

DRB said:
What is a good age to get a young bird checked by a vet for the first time?

I got my Perjo from a well respected breeder with a clean bill of health, and she's 16 weeks old right now.

Anytime for birds. They're not like humans or dogs where they give vaccines at certain ages. When there are other birds in the home, I'd take the new bird asap. In your situation, it doesn't sound like you need to rush, but it's good to get for any bird.

Piasa · Mar 28, 2016

Fecal gram stain will tell you if there is any bacterial or yeast infection. It helps with some fungi detection too.

Fecal parasite test, though you can get false negatives with these, they are not overly expensive and very worth it.

CBC blood test to see if anything indicates a problem.

If you have a small bird, you can only draw so much blood and it is used up FAST for test. So do CBC first, and if you are suspicious of any organs poorly functioning, do those tests next. It takes at least a week for a smaller bird to recover from a blood draw before they can have another.

A lot of virus tests are not reliable and need blood to run. I don't do these unless I am suspicious or overly concerned about something specific.

Brittany741 · Apr 11, 2016

The new bird disease testing (PBFD, chlamydia, Pacheco's, polyomavirus) can be done by a basic vent swab and sent off to Animal Genetics. They have a package price.

New bird: what really needs to be checked by vet?

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