by David M McCluggage, DVM
Excerpted from
1995 AHVMA Conference Proceedings
Snowmass, CO
Abstract
Birds are highly emotional, easily stressed animals that may suffer more adverse effects from the stress associated with conventional medical care than they might benefit from the positive results produced by that therapy. Alternative therapeutic modalities, when judiciously combined with conventional teatments, will significantly improve the success rate for avian patients while limiting the untoward consequences of conventional medical care. Chronic diseases rarely are successfully cured using conventional allopathic methods. Alternative modalities, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and nutrition show promise for increasing the success rate in treating these chronic conditions.
Introduction
Birds are very sensitive, emotional and intelligent animals. Because of this, they are prone to stress and the detrimental effects of restraint, medications, and many of the more invasive diagnostic or therapeutic modalities employed in conventional pracatice. It is possible, literally, to stress the patient to death during restraint, physical examinations, and blood collection. The stress associated with any procedure must always be evaluated against the potential benefit to the patient. They must always be treated gently and with care during any procedure. Therapeutic decisions are developed after the veterinarian assesses the patient's mental and emotional condition, physical disorders, nutritional status, and environment.
Birds are often not well understood by their caretakers. Caretakers often are unable to differentiate abnormal behaviors from normal behaviors. Birds try to hide their illnesses as a preservation response (wild birds often drive sick birds out of the flock because they attract predators). They often carry illnesses for extended periods before the disease reaches a critical point, so patients have been ill for months to years before the veterinarian sees them. All treatment decisions must include the assumption that most avian patients are quite ill by the time they are brought to the veterinarian.
Nutrition
Research into the correct diet to feed the various avian species has not been conducted. It is clear, however, that the outdated method of feeding birds seed diets, then trying to "balance" the diet by adding vitamins and a calcium supplement should be abandoned. Research that is available relates primarily to poultry, and guidelines provided in the literature are extrapolated from general nutritional information. Recent studies at the University of California have provided some limited nutritional guidelines specific for the cockatiel; however, it will be some time before guidelines can be formulated for all of the various groups of birds.
Until more information becomes available, we must follow the theory that feeding a large variety of different food items is sensible, while refraining from feeding food that we know is bad for birds.
Psittacine birds in their natural habitat will consume a variety of food items, including seeds, nuts, grains, sprouts, leaves, insects and fruits. Some have even been known to consume meat (mice, small birds, and carcasses). Typically, all birds will subsist entirely on one type of food if it is plentiful. When that food source is no longer available, hunger establishes the natural foraging instinct, and the bird will seek out new food sources. When provided free access to seeds, the foraging instinct is lost, resulting in birds that subsist on total seed diets. Offering new foods often fails to broaden the diet. The most effective method to alter the diet of the seed addict is to limit the total amount of all of the different food items provided.
Feeding Schedule
Birds should be fed on a twice daily feeding schedule. This technique approximates normal food gathering in the wild and induces birds to sample new food items. Providing access to food throughout the day inhibits the foraging instinct and may produce obesity. For many people, the best routine would be to feed seeds or other dry food items (eg, pellets) in the morning. Either remove the food cups in one hour, or make sure that the bird will consume all the available food early in the day, by providing small portions. The evening feeding could include other food items such as cheeses, meats, eggs, vegetables and fruits.
Formulated Diets
Formulated diets ("pelleted diets") are now commonly available. Formulated diets help provide a more balanced diet than seed diets and are preferable to feeding seeds. I recommend their use as the basic diet, supplemented extensively with fresh foods.
The Harrison Bird Diet is my preferred formulated diet. It is grown organically and processed without any preservatives or artificial ingredients.
For more information on the Harrison Bird Diet, click here.
Home Cooking for Psittacines
As with all life, fresh foods and variety are the cornerstones of good nutrition. The basic diet should consist of a mixture of equal portions of beans, rice, formulated bird diets, and corn. Whole grains, such as quinoa, can be cooked and added to the basic diet. Other items should be added daily, such as green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, fruits, and cheeses. It is important not to leave this mix out for more than 3-4 hours or spoilage may occur. Preparation can be made easier by freezing large batches and thawing daily portions slowly in the refrigerator. As might be expected, high fat foods, salty foods and processed foods should be kept to a minimum.
Canaries and Finches
These birds are primarily seed eaters, and seed should make up about 50% of their daily diet. The type of seed should be a mix of smaller seeds such as canary, rape, niger, poppy, and millet. Although widely believed by aviculturists, there is no justification for believing that these birds can subsist on 95% or more seeds. Some species of soft-bills, (some finches and sparrows for example) need live insects in their diet. Examples would include meal worms and crickets.
Mynahs and Toucans
The Harrison Bird Diet should make up 75% of the diet, with the remainder including fruits such as apples, raisins, grapes and bananas. Some meat (such as ground beef) should be included. Vitamin and mineral supplementation, such as Cyrofood, should be added to the soft foods daily. Mice or other meat should be added to toucan diets.
Lories and Lorikeets
Diets for these birds are poorly understood. The longstanding recommendation for lories included the basic diet of nectar formula (Mellin's food)--one tsp, evaporated milk--one tsp, and honey--one tsp, all placed into one cup of water. I prefer one of the various commercial lory nectar diets. Vegetables and fruits are fed ad lib. I supplement the commercial nectar formulas with two commercial gastrointesinal supplements and psyllium.
Supplements to the Diet
A variety of supplements to the diet might be indicated depending on the problems seen; these may include herbs, glandulars, enzymes and minerals.
Homeopathy
In my experience, homeopathy works very well in birds. Birds are particularly responsive to energetic therapeutics. I practice classical homeopathy, so I must find the correct remedy using not only physical symptoms, but mental and emotional symptoms as well. This can be very much a challenge with birds, since most owners know little about the normal behaviors of their companions, let alone the abnormal mental and emotional symptoms.
Each holistic veterinarian must be extremely well acquainted with the western medical examination and diagnosis with their avian patients. Since many birds come to the veterinarian very ill, we may not have a second chance if the first remedy fails! Allopathic medications might be indicated with very sick birds to get them through the crisis point.
The veterinary homeopath must also have an in depth understanding of the various species' normal behaviors. Only then can we hope to repertoirize accurately.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
I have only begun to use Chinese herbs in avian practice, so the information I include here is very brief. Herbs are hard to administer to birds becuase they will not eat foods that taste unusual to them. Liquid preparations contain alcohol that is contraindicated; the alcohol can be boiled off and the resulting herbal preparation can be given to birds.
Acupuncture Therapy
Birds have a high metabolic rate (heart rate often 200 plus in many birds) and a high body temperature (often greater than 103° F), and are light and relatively hollow (their air sac system). This makes them more yang in nature. From an evolutionary view, birds evolved from reptiles and are a younger class than the Class Mammalia. This means that they are "purer" animals than mammals. This leads to the assumption that they would be more responsive or sensitive to acupuncture techniques. The balance between yin and yang is more readily manipulated with acupuncture, making needling techniques potentially stronger.
(Dr McCluggage went on to outline certain treatments and gave case presentations in this informative talk. Veterinarians may order the proceedings from the AHMVA at 2218 Old Emmorton Road, Bel Air, MD 21015, 410-569-0795, AHVMA.org).
