The Laboratory Bird

Laboratory animals, including birds, play an important role in biomedical research. The humane care and management of these animals is an ongoing concern. A new addition to the acclaimed Laboratory Animal Pocket Reference series, The Laboratory Bird is the first publication dedicated to the care and use of avian species in the research setting.

Covering avian species such as chickens, ducks, doves, parrots, and songbirds that are commonly used as research models, the book is divided into focused chapters that cover a broad range of topics, including:

    General avian biology and physiology
    Husbandry
    Regulations and regulatory compliance regarding the use of birds in research
    Experimental methods
    Veterinary care

Along with discussing applicable regulations, the book also details issues of health management and quarantine approaches. The final chapter provides resources such as organizations, publications, vendors, and diagnostic laboratories.

With its focus on the care of a diverse group of avian species in biomedical research settings, The Laboratory Bird is a valuable reference for animal care and veterinary technicians, laboratory animal veterinarians, trainees in laboratory animal medicine, and research staff members, as well as individuals involved in laboratory work who lack experience in working with birds.

Contents

Important Biological Features
Orders Commonly Used in Research
Anatomy and Function
Respiratory System
Gastrointestinal System
Urogenital System
Cutaneous/Integumentary System
Musculoskeletal System
Cardiovascular System
Hematology and Immune System
Endocrine System
Nervous and Sensory Systems
References

Husbandry
Introduction
Housing
Environmental Enrichment
References

Management
Regulatory Agencies and Compliance
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Sources of Birds and Procurement
Quarantine and Conditioning
Occupational Health and Safety Considerations
References

Veterinary Care
General Physical Examination
General Diagnostic Tests
Common Clinical Problems and Their Management
Anesthesia and Analgesia Agents
Euthanasia
References

Experimental Methodology
Capture and Restraint
Capture Techniques
Manual Restraint
Chemical Restraint
Various Sampling Techniques
Blood Collection
Blood Collection Sites
Compound Administration
Grooming and General Maintenance
Necropsy
References

Resources
Organizations
Diagnostic Laboratories
Publications
Vendors

Douglas K. Taylor has worked with a variety of avian species in varied settings since 1995. From 1995–2000, he worked in private practice, routinely managing avian medicine and surgery cases. From 2000–2002, he worked in the field of wildlife toxicology and used chickens to study polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and mercury toxicity. From 2002–2006, he was in training as a resident at the University of Michigan where pigeons, passerines, and chickens were in use. He is currently a faculty veterinarian at Emory University, where a substantial number of passerine species and, occasionally, chickens are housed. He became a diplomate in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine in 2006.

Vanessa K. Lee has worked with avian species in both a research and clinical environment since 1999. From 1999–2000, she worked as a veterinary technical assistant at the University of Georgia Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital. From 2000–2001, she was an aviary farm manager for over 400 psittacine birds. From 2001–2004, she was a student research assistant working with pigeons and psittacines, and she worked as a wildlife treatment crew volunteer and supervisor. From 2005–2007, she was an associate veterinarian in private practice with a heavy avian caseload. She has held a faculty position at Emory University, during most of which she had clinical responsibilities for multiple passerine species. She became a diplomate in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine in 2010.

Karen R. Strait has worked with avian species in a variety of settings since 2003. From 2003–2005, she was a wildlife treatment crew volunteer and also completed a six-week training at the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, participating in field studies and diagnostic necropsies of various avian species. She has held a faculty position at Emory University, during which she provided clinical support for multiple passerine species and poultry. She became a diplomate in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine in 2009.