Association of Avian Veterinarians

B. H. Coles: Avian Medicine and Surgery
Avian Medicine and Surgery
Review by: Greg J. Harrison
AAV Today, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Jan., 1987), p. 28
Published by: Association of Avian Veterinarians
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?oak

Recuela

B.H.

Coles:

Avian

Coles' Avian Medicine and Surgery is
one of the first books that I've seen
(other than Fowler's Zoo and Wild
Animal Medicine)
that really covers a
wide variety of birds in a manner that is
more than superficial. This relatively
small, paperbound book is succinct, well
and

indexed,

has

an

including

extensive

The Index and Appendices occupy 79
of the total 288 pages.
The text is divided into 9 chapters:
Clinical Examination, Aids to Diagnosis,
Post-mortem

and Administration
Anaesthesia,

of Drugs,

Surgery,

After

with
experience
are particularly

those

sections

strong.

the laparoscopy, blood

Although
and

smears,

as

raptors

are well

sections

radiology

developed,

other clinical evaluation

procedures

are

However,

not

the book

unique diagnostic
seen

haven't

For

before.

example, in discussing how to
distinguish abscesses on the feet of
budgerigars and other small birds from
the tophi of gout, ; the author suggests
that suspected tophi should be opened
the contents

and
"..The

placed
are mixed

crystals

concentrated

with

over

added.

a drop

a Bunsen

is then

burner. A drop of ammonia
If urates

are

The therapy chapter includes an
chart

of drugs

and

He also says that aminoglycosides
blocking
such

by

have

and methoxyflurane.

as
He

feels

is an immune

that chloramphenicol
suppressor.

Dr. Coles describes a method for
calculating the dose of drugs for use in
birds. Because of the high metabolic rate
of birds, he says, "If there is not a
or proven

dose

for

a

0.75."

is exposed

and

drugs

of

other

to a number
that

products

in the U.S.

unavailable

seeds

For

of

are

example,

(e.g.,

chloramphenicol-medicated

millet) are listed. The anesthetic chapter
includes some agents with which we in
the U.S.

For

osteotomy.

never

I've

have

no

control

hemorrhage

The

on

section

care

hospital

and

book

(e.g.,

anesthesia,

isoflurane

intravenous fluid therapy, intensive care).
I enjoyed reading it and I
Nevertheless,
would recommend it, especially for
those

see

who

practitioners

a wide

variety of species wild birds, backyard
and

an

occasional

zoo

bird.

(A vianMedicine and Surgery, Library
of Veterinary Practice, Black well
Scientific Publications, Oxford, Great
Britain, 1985. 288 pages. Available
through C. V.Mosby Company, P. O. Box
28430, St. Louis, MO 63146, $24.00)
?-

The section on respiratory physiology

Greg

Worth,

J. Harrison,

DVM,

Lake

Florida

1987 issue -

Just in time for the breeding season, let's take a look at captive propagation of avian species (psit
passerines,

raptors,

waterfowl,

ratites,

toucans,

etc.) Do

you have medical

tips or experiences

you

are willing to share with other AAV members about:
Preventive Medicine for Aviaries?
P?diatrie Medicine?
Egg-binding?
|
P?diatrie Surgery?
of Infertilities?
Treatment
Other Reproductive Disorders?
or any other aviculture medicine topic?
If so, please send to the AAV Education Office, 5770 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth,
February 15, 1987.
L
28

in

nursing is well done and includes
stresses affecting wild birds, and
information in The Release of Casualty
Wild Birds is rarely seen in other books.
Many of the techniques and clinical
applications that are available to the
U.S. pet bird practitioner today from
other references are not included in this

experience.

Coming Up in the Spring,
tacines,

seen

surgical procedures, he suggests that
premedication with atropine may help.

poultry,

reader

that

technique

?
for birds that have a deformed beak
pulling it off to the side and doing an

the author is from England,

Because
the

and anesthesia is good (although I
personally don't agree with open drip
administration of methoxyflurane), and
includes information on PC02. The
author prefers endotracheal intubation in
all birds over 300 grams.
The surgery chapter includes an

often

properties
anesthetics

Surgery

interesting

dosages.

The author points out that the
nephrotoxic effect of aminoglycosides
be potentiated by the use of
may
|
diuretics such as Frusemide (or Lasix).

a mauve

present

pancreatic

four or five different kinds of medicated

a slide.

nitric acid and carefully
to dryness

evaporated

on

potential

particular circumstance, then it is best to
calculate the dose from the bird's
metabolic/effective
weight. In general
this is derived as an exponential of the
body weight raised to the power of

includes several
techniques that I

described

to determine

recommended

in depth.

discussed

a

discusses

disease.

halothane

care, Breeding Problems, and The
Release of Casualty Wild Birds. The
author has obviously had a great deal of

also

He

develop."

exacerbated
and

Nursing

will

and

culture for incubating ex?date to
enhance identification of Trichomonads,
and a test for starch with Lugol's iodine

neuromuscular

Medication

Examination,

colour

extensive

appendices,
on weights.

chart

excellent

Medicine

THE AVIAN PRACTITIONER

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