Patient Examination and Restraint Consent Form
Birds are very different from our domesticated pets. They often instinctively hide their symptoms until disease
has progressed much farther than we would guess by simply observing them. For example, a bird that just
began fluffing up in his cage yesterday or has just stopped eating or talking, may be found to be quite
emaciated due to chronic disease upon handling. A less than optimal diet (i.e. seed/nut only diets) can
contribute profoundly to a bird’s health status. It is not uncommon for birds to have illnesses without any
outward symptoms at all.
Some degree of restraint is required for proper examination and treatment of all birds. Birds can become very
stressed while being handled and restrained. While infrequent, a bird who is already compromised by disease
can die suddenly and without warning from the stress of restraint alone. As stated above, the degree of illness
may not necessarily be evident. Even routine care can cause overwhelming stress which can cause a bird to die
(i.e. wing, beak and nail trims, etc.).
Unfortunately, there is no good way to diagnose or treat birds without some degree of restraint; this is a risk we
must realize when handling birds.