Flottmann Enterprises Inc Conroe, TX, United States
Diagnosing and treating pet chickens when they become ill is different from other companion animals. Many of the infectious diseases of chickens and their agents are often very different from other common avian infectious agents, and the applicable diagnostic modalities often differ considerably. Euthanasia and necropsy may be less of a palatable diagnostic modality, when considering these birds are viewed as family pets. Concurrently, since the eggs and sometimes the meat of these birds are consumed, and because of concerns about antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains and human health, treatment options are more limited by law than most veterinarians are used to in typical companion animal medicine. Still appreciating these concerns, when pet chickens become ill, diagnosis and treatment is important for the relief of pain and suffering. This lecture explores diagnostic and therapeutic modalities applicable to backyard chickens in practice.
Learning Objectives:
Collect a history and utilize species-appropriate diagnostic recommendations in case evaluations
Choose appropriate treatments and dosages for pain for chickens
KNow and avoid the use of banned therapeutics in chickens
