We advise 6 monthly health examinations and during these visits we will also discuss your bird’s environment, diet and behaviour. Behavioural problems may require a longer appointment time so please make our reception staff aware of any issues when booking an appointment.
Your bird will receive a full physical examination, including crop and faecal examination. At this time we can also trim your bird’s nails and discuss wing trimming.
Direct worming can be performed where required.
Listed below are descriptions of common laboratory tests that are recommended and can be performed during the Bird Health Examination. Many of these tests may be recommended for diagnostic purposes if your bird ever becomes unwell and it is always ideal to have a ‘baseline’ or normal values for your pet to compare these to in times of illness.
| Test Type | How is the test performed? | What does the test show? | When is this test recommended? |
| Faecal examination | Microscope exam of the faeces | Parasites Bacterial levels Yeast levels |
All Birds |
| Crop or Oral examination | Microscope exam of crop or oral swabs | Parasites Bacterial levels Yeast levels |
All Birds |
| Gram stain | Specific bacterial stain of faeces and crop samples | This test shows us the types of bacteria that are present and can guide us in choosing the best antibiotic | Abnormal crop or faecal bacterial numbers |
| Culture and sensitivity | External laboratory test that grows bacteria or fungi in faeces, crop or other areas. | This test identifies the exact bacteria, yeast or fungi as well as telling us which antibiotics will work to treat the infection | Abnormal levels of bacteria, yeast, fungi. Recurrent infections. |
| Haematology | Blood sample | Anaemia Infections Inflammation |
All birds |
| Chlamydia (Psittacosis) testing | Blood sample | Exposure to the infection Chlamydia | All birds |
| Biochemistry | Blood sample | Liver function Kidney function Calcium levels Blood sugar levels Electrolyte levels |
Some birds |
| Viral testing | Blood sample | Beak and Feather Disease | Some birds |
| DNA sexing | Blood sample | Your bird’s sex | Some birds |
