kenny
03-29-2006, 12:50 PM
hi all
just thought i would put these on as a matter of interest.
The Nicotine Connection
There seems to be a higher incidence among bird owners who smoke who have problems with their birds respiratory systems and eyes (from second-hand smoke, no doubt). But another, more insidious connection has been implicated between smokers and birds having problems with itchy feet and/or feather-picking. The nicotine residue on a smoker's hands may be enough to cause absorption through the bird's skin, resulting in birds that chew on the skin of their feet, and may pick at their feathers and act itchy. The birds may develop pododermatitis, with scabs, picking at the feet, and secondary infections. Macaws may also develop a similar irritation to the facial skin following repeated contact with smoker's hands. Some feather-picking in birds will resolve when the bird is removed from the presence of cigarette smoke. It is very important for cigarette smokers to wash their hands prior to handling their birds, and birds should never be exposed to any type of smoke (legal or otherwise).
The Yawn Spot
Most baby birds can be made to yawn by gently massaging the areas on each side of the head, below the ears, in the areas of the temporomandibular joints. For some reason, by gently touching, or lightly making little circling motions in that area, this will elicit the yawning response. I think this response can be elicited in most species of psittacines, but I usually fool around with baby macaws and Amazons, making them yawn.
When A Bird's Owner Has A Cold
Many owners worry that their own family's colds or flu viruses will affect their pet birds. The good news is that the majority of human viruses are not contagious to birds (with the rare exception of a virus or two). However, that doesn't mean that we should allow mouth to beak contact with the birds we own, even if we are healthy, as some of the bacteria, yeasts, or other organisms found in our mouths can be dangerous to them. But I have examined many a bird that had developed a nasty cough or had sneezing fits that were actually just the bird imitating the latest cold virus that a family member was experiencing. And we think birds don't have a sense of humor! They hear their steward coughing, and secretly practice it until they have it down pat, then they begin hacking in front of the concerned owner. Not knowing that birds are not likely to catch their cold, they pack their beloved pet off to the vet for a check-up that comes up with the physical exam and test results showing a normal bird. Yep, it had learned to cough, and got a free (well, to the bird, anyway) trip to the vet!
a couple of these are just parrot related so dont get frightened anyone;)
ken
just thought i would put these on as a matter of interest.
The Nicotine Connection
There seems to be a higher incidence among bird owners who smoke who have problems with their birds respiratory systems and eyes (from second-hand smoke, no doubt). But another, more insidious connection has been implicated between smokers and birds having problems with itchy feet and/or feather-picking. The nicotine residue on a smoker's hands may be enough to cause absorption through the bird's skin, resulting in birds that chew on the skin of their feet, and may pick at their feathers and act itchy. The birds may develop pododermatitis, with scabs, picking at the feet, and secondary infections. Macaws may also develop a similar irritation to the facial skin following repeated contact with smoker's hands. Some feather-picking in birds will resolve when the bird is removed from the presence of cigarette smoke. It is very important for cigarette smokers to wash their hands prior to handling their birds, and birds should never be exposed to any type of smoke (legal or otherwise).
The Yawn Spot
Most baby birds can be made to yawn by gently massaging the areas on each side of the head, below the ears, in the areas of the temporomandibular joints. For some reason, by gently touching, or lightly making little circling motions in that area, this will elicit the yawning response. I think this response can be elicited in most species of psittacines, but I usually fool around with baby macaws and Amazons, making them yawn.
When A Bird's Owner Has A Cold
Many owners worry that their own family's colds or flu viruses will affect their pet birds. The good news is that the majority of human viruses are not contagious to birds (with the rare exception of a virus or two). However, that doesn't mean that we should allow mouth to beak contact with the birds we own, even if we are healthy, as some of the bacteria, yeasts, or other organisms found in our mouths can be dangerous to them. But I have examined many a bird that had developed a nasty cough or had sneezing fits that were actually just the bird imitating the latest cold virus that a family member was experiencing. And we think birds don't have a sense of humor! They hear their steward coughing, and secretly practice it until they have it down pat, then they begin hacking in front of the concerned owner. Not knowing that birds are not likely to catch their cold, they pack their beloved pet off to the vet for a check-up that comes up with the physical exam and test results showing a normal bird. Yep, it had learned to cough, and got a free (well, to the bird, anyway) trip to the vet!
a couple of these are just parrot related so dont get frightened anyone;)
ken