Although pigeons and doves are a diverse group of birds, they do share some clinically significant anatomy and physiology, including a large, bilobed crop or ingluvies, crop milk production, as well as a vascular plexus found in the subcutis of pigeons. This post also touches on specialized anatomic features unique to fruit pigeons before summarizing some features of the columbid integumentary system, musculoskeletal system, and urogenital tract.
This article is the focus of LafeberVet’s Avian Anatomy Teaching Module, which is RACE-approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit. This review begins with a brief summary of Class Aves before exploring various organ systems. Important vocabulary terms and key concepts are emphasized throughout the text. The reader should have a basic understanding of mammalian anatomy. Birds are quite different both structurally and functionally when compared to mammals, therefore comparisons are frequently drawn between these two taxonomic groups. Since form follows function, descriptions of avian anatomy will also merge into physiology and other life sciences, where appropriate. Clinically relevant information and additional resources on LafeberVet are also highlighted.
Test Your Knowledge: View the RACE-approved webinar recording on “Avian Radiology: Basic Principles, Reference Values & Clinical Cases” by Minh Huynh, DVM, MRCVS, DECZM (Avian), DACZM, then take the brief post-test to earn 1 hour of continuing education credit.
View this webinar recording by Minh Huynh, DVM, MRCVS, DECZM (Avian), DAZCM, RACE-approved for 1 credit hour. Avian radiography is an invaluable tool to assess internal disorders and to screen for subclinical disease in birds. Coelomic organs can be examined for cardiorespiratory, digestive, or urogenital disease. Radiographs are also extremely useful to diagnose appendicular skeleton lesions, especially in case of trauma. Proper positioning is crucial for accurate interpretation and general anesthesia or sedation is usually recommended for optimal image acquisition. Standard and non-standard views as well as indications and limitations of radiography will be discussed. This presentation also explores a standardized, step-by-step evaluation of conventional radiographs. A review of the current literature is also used to enhance the discussion of clinical cases.
The postmortem examination is a valuable part of the diagnostic work-up. Shared by a veterinary pathologist with a special interest in birds, this guide to avian necropsy provides comprehensive instructions for the avian postmortem exam. This article offers step-by-step guidance on avian necropsy with a variety of photographs and video clips that illustrate useful clinical techniques and normal avian anatomy. Feel confident in your knowledge of avian anatomy? You can also “Test Yourself” by identifying the structures shown in four separate images.
Radiography is a non-invasive, informative tool that is designed to be used alongside other diagnostic information. This review article first provides tips that will maximize success and describes common radiographic positions. The bulk of this review article describes normal radiographic findings of various body systems but common abnormalities such as organomegaly are also described.
