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BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds, 2nd ed.

2008; Canadian Veterinary Medical Association; Volume: 49; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

0008-5286

Jean A. Paré, Staff Veterinarian,

Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses

This book, in the tradition of the BSAVA Manual series, is the 2nd edition of the Manual of Psittacine Birds which was initially published in 1996. It is a multi-authored textbook for which an international panel of academicians and practitioners contributed chapters. This 2nd edition is thicker and relatively better illustrated with color pictures and diagrams than the original, and it makes ample use of tables. Although the book is already 2-y old, released in 2005, much new knowledge pertaining to avian medicine and surgery has come to light in the 10-y span that separates the 2 issues. In this 2nd edition, the reader is guided through a short introduction to life history and description of common and less common pet parrot species. A large table lists and summarizes the characteristics and life history of most pet psittacine species or taxa, but it is taxonomically confusing. For example, lories and lorikeets are listed under the Family Loriinae, while the suffix “–inae” stands for a subfamily. The ringnecks are listed under the Family Psittacula, when Psittacula is merely the genus. It is impossible for a novice reader, based on that table, to realize that the Order Psittaciformes consists of three families: the Psittacidae, the Cacatuidae, and the Loriidae. A chapter follows that provides an overview of avian anatomy and physiology and is a welcome change from the 1st edition, where only relevant anatomical features were incorporated into chapters dealing with various bird parts. Husbandry, handling, and triage based on case presentation are addressed with recommendations for stabilizing birds presented in critical condition. Subsequent chapters are in logical progression: basic techniques, clinical pathology and necropsy, anesthesia and analgesia, soft tissue surgery, orthopedics and beak repair, non-infectious and systemic infectious diseases, then diseases limited to specific organ systems. Sections on behavior, reproduction, and legal/ethical issues complement the book. The material covered is fundamentally the same as the 1st edition, except under different headings and with contents updated to include newer information. Chapter authors, by-and-large, are not the same as in the 1st edition and this sometimes translates in novel perspectives. A chapter entitled “The sick small psittacid,” dedicated solely to the medicine of budgerigars, cockatiels and lovebirds, is a welcome addition since these birds make up the bulk of psittacines seen in the typical veterinary practice. The word “psittacines,” rather than “psittacids,” might have been more appropriate since cockatiels are now considered cacatuids. While small psittacines species are by far the most popular pets, their small size often limits veterinarians in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, or outright precludes them. Owners of small psittacines may not be as inclined to cover veterinary expenditures as they would for a more expensive, larger species. A table lists the differentials, diagnostics, and treatment options of the various common clinical presentations in small psittacids. In the appendices are algorithms and decisional flowcharts that may be used as a quick reference or guide by veterinarians confronted with patients exhibiting any of a variety of clinical signs. Appendix 2 is a pictorial guide to normal and abnormal droppings, likely useful to the uninitiated. The drug formulary is brief and unreferenced, and the list of bird names contains several typos (Brotgeris instead of Brotogeris, Pionpsitta instead of Pionopsitta), but these are minor shortcomings. The 2nd edition of the BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds is reader-friendly and is organized logically. It more than covers all that is essential knowledge for veterinarians willing to see and treat psittacine birds. Inexperienced avian clinicians will find it useful as most common procedures and techniques, such as wing trim or blood collection, are described and illustrated. Experienced avian clinicians may not find as much to sink their teeth into, and may differ with chapter authors’ opinions or methods, but if so, they will have been exposed to a different point of view or approach. The BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds is a well-rounded book that covers general avian medicine rather thoroughly and best suits the novice and intermediate avian practitioner seeking a quick reference for sick psittacine birds in need of veterinary care.