Reproductive Disease in Female Psittacine Birds
This live, RACE-approved webinar by Dr. Don Harris has been postponed. Please stay tuned for a new date and time.
egg
Avian Reproductive Tract Surgery: From Egg Binding to Neoplasia
MVDr Andrea Henrik presented this distance-learning event for the Atlantic Veterinary College Zoological and Laboratory Animal Medicine Club. This Lunch & Learn presentation was co-hosted by the Lafeber Company Student Program and the Association of Avian Veterinarians Student Committee.
Reptile and Amphibian Imaging
View the RACE-approved recording of this live 1-hour webinar event, presented by Elizabeth M. Rush, DVM, DACZM. Radiographs are a simple, noninvasive diagnostic tool for reptiles and amphibians. Normal radiographic anatomy is reviewed in each taxonomic group, before some common pathological conditions are discussed.
Amphibian Medicine
View the RACE-approved recording of this live 1-hour webinar event, presented by Gregory Lewbart, MS, VMD, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM). Amphibians are a fascinating and extremely important taxonomic group of animals. Amphibians are valued as environmental sentinels, biomedical research subjects, public display animals, private pets, and even as a human food source. Class Amphibia is divided into three orders and 75 families, containing 8,530 species. This presentation focuses on anatomic and physiologic characteristics shared by this diverse group as well as important disease conditions.
The Use of GnRH Agonists in Avian Practice
Avian veterinarian Brian Speer presented this live webinar, RACE-approved for 1.5 credit hours. Reproductive activities, particularly those that are recurrent, pose a significant threat to the health and behavioral well-being of many pet birds. This presentation began by reviewing the basics of female reproductive anatomy and endocrinology before discussing the role of environmental and behavioral stimuli on reproductive endocrinology. Dr. Speer then presented an ethical scale for selecting and prioritizing recommendations for intervention, before discussing medical therapy as well as the environmental and behavioral interventions that can be employed. Dr. Speer concluded with a discussion of behavioral science and its applications to the management of hormonal problems.
Ultrasound in Birds
Dr. Petra Schnitzer presented this distance-learning event for the veterinary medical students at the University of Georgia at Athens College of Veterinary Medicine as part of the Lafeber Company Student Program. View this webinar recording, RACE-approved for 1 credit hour.
Lead Exposure in Backyard Poultry
Although birds are kept for a variety of reasons, many owners raise backyard chickens for personal consumption of meat and eggs. There is some concerns that poultry can be exposed to heavy metals, such as lead, and then pass lead on to people in their eggs or meat. Poultry are most commonly exposed to lead through soil that has been contaminated by lead-based paint flakes that have come off older buildings or even…
Reproductive Disease in Reptiles
Reptile reproduction can be a confusing topic due to the variety of normal reproductive strategies found throughout different reptile species. Nevertheless it important to understand normal reproductive processes to correctly approach some commonly seen problems. This webinar recording reviews normal reproductive strategies of reptiles, including important reproductive anatomy and physiology. Three clinically important conditions, pre-ovulatory or follicular stasis, post-ovulatory dystocia, and cloacal prolapse, are also explored in detail.
Five Common Reptile Emergencies
View the recording of this webinar presented by Eric Klaphake, DVM, DACZM, DABVP (Avian Practice), DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian). This presentation explores five common reptile clinical presentations in detail: trauma, gastrointestinal foreign body, neurological deficits, respiratory difficulty, and reproductive problems.
Reproductive Emergencies in Birds
Reproductive emergencies are most commonly seen in small psittacine birds like the cockatiel, lovebird and budgerigar parakeet. This article reviews conditions commonly seen on an emergency basis such as dystocia, egg yolk peritonitis, cloacal or oviductal prolapse, and/or chronic egg laying. Pertinent anatomy and physiology as well as case management, including the reproductive history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and behavioral modification techniques are also discussed.
Presenting problem: Shelled Egg Palpable
Detecting a shelled egg on physical examination is not necessarily a problem—birds lay eggs everyday! However palpation of a shelled egg is an important clinical finding that can be associated with dystocia. The egg is shelled in a distal part of the oviduct called the uterus or shell gland. Therefore a shelled egg would normally be palpable in either the…
Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology in Reptiles: Nine Key Facts
The paired ovaries and testes, which range in color from yellow to grayish-pink, are located dorsomedially within the coelom although their exact location is species-specific. The right gonad sits cranial to the left, particularly in snakes. Females possess a right and left oviduct, but no true uterus. The oviduct empties directly into the cloaca through a genital papillae
Reproductive Disease in Reptiles: Twelve Key Facts
Common reproductive conditions of the reptile include prolapse of the cloaca, oviduct or copulatory organ, yolk coelomitis, dystocia or egg binding, as well as follicular stasis. This review article on twelve key facts explores clinically relevant anatomy and physiology and appropriate husbandry as well as key points of urgent care and general principles of case management.
Common Chicken Breeds
Chickens are categorized as pure breeds, hybrids, and bantams. A chicken breed is a group of birds with distinctive characteristics. There are more than 500 chicken breeds throughout the world. There are laying breeds, meat breeds, and ornamental breeds. Some breeds are also considered dual purpose or raised for both eggs and meat. Each breed is further subdivided into varieties based on physical characteristic, such as color, comb type, leg feathering, presence of a beard or muffs, or comb type (i.e. single comb white leghorn). Many breeds have a single comb. Rose combs are typically flat and close to the bird’s head. Common breeds include Brahma, Cochin, Orpington, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island red, and Wyandotte…
Understanding the Avian Egg: From Outside to In
The bird egg, sometimes called a “miracle of packaging”, can be intimidating for the avian veterinarian. This amazing structure comes with a plethora of new vocabulary terms, complex anatomy, and intricate physiology. LafeberVet’s “Understanding the Avian Egg” describes the basics of egg anatomy from the eggshell to the embryo with a brief description of hatch.
Basic Aviculture Vocabulary & Concepts: Images and Facts to Help You ‘Talk the Talk’
Are you confident in your medical approach to pediatric health problems ranging from constricted toes to omphalitis, but hazy on the details of incubation and hatch? Many avian veterinarians deal with aviculturists only sporadically, which can diminish your ability to extract relevant patient history. Use Aviculture Vocabulary & Concepts to quickly review common breeder concepts and terms, so that you are better able to focus on your patient’s medical care.
Egg Necropsy Form
An egg necropsy is an important part of the diagnostic workup to evaluate the cause of dead-in-shell. First, candle the egg and obtain basic measurements. Next enter the egg through the air cell. Carefully examine the shell membranes, then expose the interior of the egg. Collect culture samples as needed. Proceed using this form to gather standardized data and appropriate measurements.
Chronic Egg Laying
This client education handout answers questions for the concerned pet bird owner: What is chronic egg laying? What species are most likely to suffer from chronic egg laying? Why are some birds more likely to be chronic egg layers, and what measures can be taken to minimize egg laying in the hen? What can your avian veterinarian do to help?
Egg Laying Problems
Reproductive problems are a common problem in many small pet bird species, particularly cockatiels, budgerigars parakeets, lovebirds, finches, and canaries. Use client education handout to briefly explain egg laying problems, from egg binding and egg yolk peritonitis to chronic egg laying to the companion parrot owner.
Presenting problem: Cloacal Prolapse in Birds
Cloacal prolapse is a serious and potentially life-threatening problem. Prolapses can originate from the cloaca, oviduct or intestinal tract. The cloaca normally prolapses during egg laying or oviposition, and normal retraction of the cloaca may be slowed or absent in an obese hen or one with hypocalcemia. Excessive abdominal contractions caused by an abnormal egg, dystocia, cloacal disease, gastrointestinal disease or chronic mastubatory behavior can also promote prolapse.