Most pet owners have the classic dog and/or cat as their companion; however, there are a growing number of exotic animal pet owners, especially in the Houston area.  Birds are one of the most common exotic pets, but unfortunately are one of the least known in regard to their appropriate care.  Birds are much more delicate than your average cat or dog, and require special food, attention, and medical care compared to the typical pet. 

Just like dogs and cats, different species of birds have different personalities, so if you are looking into buying a bird, it is important to find the right type of bird for your family.  Some bird species are low maintenance, but are not as interactive or affectionate as other species.  Birds who are more interactive and affectionate are typically higher maintenance, and potential bird owners should take this into consideration.  

Birds have unique diet requirements which can even be specific to the particular bird species.  Seeds have been the classic food for many birds; however, experts agree that a pellet-based diet is the best for overall nutrition for your bird.  A completely seed-based diet can cause obesity, liver disease, and vitamin/mineral deficiency.  As with any pet, keep plenty of cool, fresh water available, and many birds enjoy daily treats of fruit and veggies, such as kiwi, oranges, apples, zucchini, sweet potatoes, carrots and broccoli.  Foods such as avocados and apple seeds should not be given, as they are toxic to birds.  Be careful to not cross-contaminate the food you give to your pet – the bacteria from our mouths can get your bird sick!  

When looking for the appropriate cage for your bird, always remember – bigger is better!  Your bird should be able to stretch his wings, flap freely, and fly/hop from perch to perch.  Some birds, such as finches, are more flock-oriented, and these birds are most comfortable with companions, while other birds, like cockatoos and parrots, do not do as well with a buddy.  Cage size should also be appropriate to the number of birds in each enclosure.  Cage floor covering to catch falling food and waste should be newspaper or a paper product.  Small mammal bedding (pine, cedar, corn cob, etc) can have toxins that are harmful and potentially fatal to birds.  Perches are a very important part of your cage structure.  Birds spend their lives on their feet, so perches of different sizes, diameters, textures, and materials are a vital to a bird’s health and happiness.  Perches should be placed at different heights and intervals inside the enclosure, and there should always be a perch level with the food dishes.  Bird cages should NEVER be placed in the kitchen – they are very sensitive to respiratory stressors, and everyday things such as self-cleaning ovens and burned non-stick cookware are fatal to birds.  If you are unsure about a particular product you are looking to use in your home, check with your family veterinarian before exposing your bird. 

One of the most important aspects of bird ownership is play and interaction.  Different bird species flourish with varied levels of affection and interaction, and enjoy diverse types of toys and mental stimulation.  Lower maintenance birds like finches and canaries don’t enjoy too much human contact, but species such as parrots and cockatoos need more attention and quality time with their owners.  Behavioral problems such as feather picking, screaming, and biting can be caused by your bird’s need for attention and interaction with you.  Conversely, it is possible to be overly affectionate with your bird.  Birds who are smothered with too much attention will often scream when put back in their cage, or feather pick.  Talking to your family veterinarian about what is an appropriate amount of contact with your bird is a vital part of bird care.  Birds of all species enjoy mouthing and shredding, and it is an important part of keeping their beak healthy – as well as stimulate them mentally.  There is a great variety of bird toys for this purpose, but make sure they are size and species appropriate.  A cockatiel toy, for example, would not be ideal for a blue and gold macaw.  Everyday items can also make great bird toys.  Small whiffle balls, as an example, can be strung with leather across the cage, and many birds enjoy the new texture and changing nature of the spinning toys.  Always remember, though, that birds can injure themselves on inappropriate toys, so always check with your veterinarian if you have questions about a new toy.  Foraging toys are also a great way to keep your bird from becoming bored during the day.  As before, they should be size and species appropriate, but these toys are a wonderful, interactive option for many bird owners.  Similar to a kong toy for dogs, these toys use food rewards for the bird as they learn how to figure out the puzzle.  Changing the foraging toy location or rotating different toys will help keep your bird interested.  

When considering getting a bird, keep in mind that birds are not a great beginning pet.  They require a high level of care and involvement, and have special veterinary needs above and beyond what is usually needed for a dog or cat.  Make sure and thoroughly research the species and typical personality of the bird you are looking for.  You should also find an exotic pet veterinarian you are comfortable with.  Many small animal vets are not comfortable with many bird treatments, so an exotic-oriented practice is important. 

While a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is probably the most common orthopedic injury I see, coming in a close second are patellar luxations.  Patella luxation occurs when the knee cap (patella) of the patient luxates (dislocates) out of its position in the femoral groove.  Patella luxations are most typically seen in dogs, and usually in small breeds like Malteses, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Pomeranians, but can be diagnosed in any breed – canine or feline. 

The most common type of patellar luxation is a medial patellar luxation (MPL).  This occurs when the patella luxates to the inside of the femoral groove.  Less frequently, the patella will luxate laterally, or to the outside of the femoral groove – this is called a lateral patellar luxation, or LPL.  There are differing grades of severity with patellar luxation, on a I – IV grading scale, and a patient with a lower grade luxation will usually have the grade severity worsen over time.  A grade I patellar luxation can be manipulated out of position, but quickly returns to its normal position.  Grades II, III and IV are more severe and require surgical intervention.  With a grade II luxation, the patella will sometimes luxate, but can be repositioned into the femoral groove.  With a grade III patella luxation, the kneecap is luxated most of the time, but can be forced back into position through palpation.  A grade IV case is consistently luxated, and cannot be manipulated back into position.  

There are a few classic symptoms of patellar luxation.  Obviously limping is an indicator of many orthopedic problems, and many times patients affected by patellar luxation will be acutely non-weight bearing lame, but the non-weight bearing lameness will occur intermittently.  This is because when the patella is in position, the patient feels comfortable and ambulation is normal, however, when the patella luxates, the patient is abruptly painful and typically unwilling to use the affected leg.  This type of behavior will usually gradually worsen over time as the patellar luxation progresses in severity.  Some patients with patella luxation will be seen to “skip” when walking, or hop on one leg every few steps.  Other patients have been observed to stretch the affected leg behind them when standing, which can sometimes manipulate the patella back into position.  If your pet has exhibited any of these symptoms, an evaluation by your family veterinarian, and possibly a consultation with a surgeon is warranted.  

Unfortunately, patellar luxation can be an inherited condition.  Other patients can experience a traumatic luxation if the knee is hit, twisted or broken, and still others are diagnosed with patellar luxation due to abnormalities in the bone structure of their femur or tibia (the top and bottom long bones in the rear leg).  Because of these differences in causation, the treatment for patellar luxation involves the possibility of several different surgical procedures.  With some cases, the groove that the patella rides in is too shallow and must be deepened.  In other cases, a tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT) is necessary to adjust the placement of the patellar tendon, which is attached to the patella itself.  For patients who have a patellar luxation secondary to bone abnormalities, the abnormal bone must also be corrected to prevent future luxation.  It is not uncommon for patellar luxations to be seen in conjunction with other orthopedic issues, such as torn CCL’s.  These issues can typically be repaired at the same time, but are more complex, and a consultation with a board-certified surgeon should be discussed with your family veterinarian. 

Don’t hesitate to have your family veterinarian evaluate your pet if you have seen any of the clinical signs listed above, or have concerns about your pet’s ambulation.  Early detection is the best way to provide a good long-term prognosis for your pet!

As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, it’s an unfortunate reality that many of the patients I see on a daily basis are overweight.  Obesity in pets can cause similar health problems as we see with obesity in people, so it’s important to make sure that your pet has a healthy, active lifestyle. 

If your pet is already overweight and you have decided to get them back in shape, it’s a good idea to create a gradual program of healthy diet and exercise.  Just like in their human counterparts, injury and health issues can actually be caused by the introduction of a sudden, intense change in exercise and/or diet.  For dogs and cats, slowly transitioning from a maintenance food (“healthy adult” or “adult maintenance”) to a diet food is a good way to begin.  You never want to switch your pet’s food abruptly, as it can cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea.  You may want to have your family veterinarian evaluate your pet prior to choosing your new food, as some of the more dramatic weight-loss diets are prescription only.  If your pet is already in good shape and you are trying to keep them that way, a maintenance food should be just fine for your pet.  

Exercise should be determined by your pet’s age, breed, current body condition, and individual health.  A 12 year old pet isn’t going to be able to keep up with an exercise program designed for a 2 year old animal, for example.  For dogs, exercise ideas are fairly straight-forward – walks, jogs, swimming, fetching, play (either with you or with another dog), etc, are all good ways to get your dog healthy.  As an added benefit, this type of activity may help you get in shape as well!  Consulting your family veterinarian on what is an appropriate style and amount of activity is always a good way to begin planning your exercise regimen.  For outdoor activities it is important to keep the weather in mind.  On hot days, it is important to be aware of your pet overheating, which can be fatal to dogs.  Adequate hydration is also important for canines – and people, too!  Especially if you are just starting out on your new exercise program, be sure to allow your dog frequent breaks, and if they are struggling or not keeping up, adjust your program to something less strenuous until your pet is comfortable with the new activity level. 

For cats, encouraging activity and exercise is more difficult, but can be done.  Structures such as cat trees or cat towers can be set up to promote jumping and play.  Hiding treats or catnip inside these towers is a good way to get your cat interested in the new arrangement.  Try and discover what types of toys your cat is interested in.  Having these types of toys around, as well as new ones, will encourage your cat to play even when you’re not around… cats are great self-entertainers.  Laser pointers are another ideal way to get your cat to engage in activity and exercise.  Many cats will run, jump, and pounce on these inexpensive toys for extended periods of time.  You can also find cat-specific “wands”, such as fishing poles with feathers on the end or flexible plastic pieces with toys or treats on the end to interest your cat, which are wonderful tools to get your cat moving, and are entertaining for everyone.  Try dragging the toy at the end along the ground, over furniture, or up and down stairs for a maximum exercise return for your cat.  Many cats enjoy simple, practically free “toys” as well.  My technician’s cat, for example, loves to bat at and chase cubes of ice around the kitchen.  Other cats think things like empty toilet paper rolls are perfect play toys. 

Make sure and ask your family veterinarian any questions you might have regarding your pet’s new healthy lifestyle, and don’t hesitate to leave comments in the section below!