Quiz 

Post-Test: Hazardous Habitats

The “Hazardous Habitats: Protecting Zoological Companion Animals from Everyday Toxins” webinar was reviewed and approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program for 1 hour of continuing education credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians in jurisdictions that recognize AAVSB RACE approval. You have three chances to take this post-test and pass. With a passing grade, you will see your results and a link to your continuing education certificate.

Article  Video  Webinar 

Hazardous Habitats: Protecting Zoological Companion Animals from Everyday Toxins

View this RACE-approved webinar recording presented by Sarah Ozawa, DVM, DACZM, then complete and pass a brief quiz to earn 1 hour of continuing education credit. Zoological companion animals (ZCA) are frequently exposed to potential toxins both inside and outside the home. This webinar explores common and unique toxins affecting birds, exotic companion mammals and reptiles, providing insights into diagnosis and treatment where applicable.

Client Education Handout 

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…

Article 

Poisonings in the Avian Patient

Poisonings are relatively uncommon in companion bird emergency medicine, but these conditions do occur and can involve a wide assortment of toxins. In principal, treatment in birds is the same as for other animals. First, stabilize the patient presented with abnormal clinical signs. Establish an airway, initiate respiration, and address cardiovascular needs.

Article 

Heavy Metal Poisoning in Birds

Heavy metal poisoning in birds most commonly occurs from the ingestion of substances containing lead, or less commonly zinc.

Lead

Acute heavy metal toxicity is occasionally seen in companion parrots that ingest or chew on objects containing metal because of their curious nature and innate desire to forage. Chronic lead poisoning most frequently affects free-ranging wildlife, such as ducks, geese, swans, and loons. Lead toxicity also occasionally occurs in upland game birds, such as mourning doves, wild turkey, pheasants and quail. Lead poisoning has also been reported in raptors from the ingestion of lead-contaminated prey. Bald eagles have repeatedly been shown to be more sensitive to lead toxicity than other wild avian species, including red-tailed hawks, swans, and turkey vultures .

Article 

Waterfowl Diseases: A “Cheat Sheet”

Although the rare veterinarian routinely deals with large numbers of waterfowl on a regular basis, many avian veterinarians encounter waterfowl only sporadically as wildlife rehabilitation cases, backyard poultry, and/or zoo specimens. When consulting textbooks for help, often a dizzying array of waterfowl diseases are encountered. This “cheat sheet” is designed as a clinical aide or reminder system. Particularly important or common conditions are bolded or linked to disease descriptions.

Client Education Handout 

Lead Poisoning in Birds

Lead poisonings in birds most commonly occurs from ingestion of substances containing lead. Lead can be found in many household items.