Birds with apparently minor external injuries often have massive internal injuries. Overall prognosis is poor even when aggressive antibiotic therapy is used e.g. piperacillin. Conscious swan positioned for a routine gizzard radiograph. Interpretation of a blood-lead level in isolation can be difficult. Fishing line and hooks are a constant problem.
Line can loop over the bill and form a blockage in the oesophagus.
If no hooks are involved then this may be retracted without anaesthesia. Line can get looped over the bill and cause an obstruction. If no hooks are involved, it may be retracted without anaesthesia. One ml therefore contains 90mg ketamine and 2mg xylazine. This is given by iv injection and allows short procedures or intubation to be carried out.