(scroll down for episodes).............................Dr. Laurie Hess
DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian)
Dr. Michelle Ravich
Parrots and Birds
Birds are very social and generally live in large flocks in the wild. As the bird’s owner, you are essentially his or her flock mate, so the bird’s cage should be placed in an area in your home where there is a lot of activity. Cages should not be placed in the kitchen because of potential risk to the bird from cooking fumes and flames on the stove. Teflon pans should never be used around birds, as the toxic chemicals they release into the air when they are heated to high temperatures can be instantly fatal to birds.
Birds should never be exposed to cigarette smoke or other aerosolized toxins to which they are very sensitive. Caution should also be taken with birds around open doors and windows, near mirrors and ceiling fans, and around other potentially predatory pets, such as cats and dogs.
While birds should be taken out of the cage as much as possible to socialize them and provide exercise, they should never be left unsupervised. To provide mental stimulation and physical exercise, birds should be provided with safe toys that are good to chew on, such as items made from soft wood, cardboard, paper, or chewable food items such as coconut husks and corncobs.
Episode 6 - Birds of Another Feather
This week's topic is a fun topic! Dr. Laurie and Dr. Michelle are not going to talk about the typical parrots like they usually do, but something different! This episode is about non-parrot birds, what are their common diseases, how people keep them and how they are treated. There are quite a few types of birds... chickens, geese, finches, canaries, raptors and more, so tune in!
Questions or Comments? Send them to: DrLaurie@petliferadio.com or DrMichelle@petliferadio.com.
Episode 5 - Bird Nutrition
In this episode Dr. Laurie and Dr. Michelle talk about the different types of birds and their nutritional requirements, as well as specifically what parrots require nutritionally. They also cover some of the diseases they see as a result of poor nutrition.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: DrLaurie@petliferadio.com or DrMichelle@petliferadio.com.
Episode 4 - Household Emergencies in Birds
Today we’re going to talk about household emergencies in birds. There are quite a few, so we’re going to go through them one at a time to better prepare you. We’ll discuss common emergencies, how to avoid them, and what to do when they happen.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: DrLaurie@petliferadio.com or DrMichelle@petliferadio.com.
Episode 3 - Behavior Problems
In this episode Dr. Laurie and Dr. Michelle talk about behavior issues in birds, and there are quite a lot of them, including feather-picking, screaming, aggression towards other birds or people, and biting. Tune in to find out how to correct these unwanted bird behaviors.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: DrLaurie@petliferadio.com or DrMichelle@petliferadio.com.
Episode 2 - A Look at Illnesses in Birds as They Age and Change
Dr. Laurie and Dr. Michelle talk about common diseases found in birds at various stages of their lives. These are interesting to people that own birds of all ages, and they discuss what to look for in your bird regardless of what age he or she is.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: DrLaurie@petliferadio.com or DrMichelle@petliferadio.com.
Episode 1 - Preventative Medical Care is for the Feathered Too, Not Just for the Furred
In this week’s show, our hosts, bird specialist Dr. Laurie Hess and her associate, Dr. Michelle Ravich, will focus on why preventative medical care, including regular annual check-ups, is very important for your bird, just as it is for your other pets. With routine check-ups, veterinarians not only can pick up subtle signs of illness before your bird becomes very sick, but also can discuss with you the latest information on bird nutrition, housing, and other aspects of care so that you are kept as up-to-date as possible on how to keep your bird as healthy as you can. With the proper education, you can help your bird live a longer, happier life.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: DrLaurie@petliferadio.com or DrMichelle@petliferadio.com.