Psittaciformes: cuidados básicos e intoxicação por elementos traço

Abstract

According to the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), there are about 37.4 million birds, both songbirds and ornamental, in Brazil - ranking as the second most common domestic animal in the country. However, a general misconception is that it is easy to keep a pet bird, when compared to the most typical companion animals, like dogs and cats; however, this is an idea originated from the absence of the diffusion of correct information about the basic care towards the management and raising of birds to be kept in captivity as pets. It should be noted that, with a few exceptions, ornamental birds are medium to high cost animals for acquisition and maintenance – besides that, they require a lot of time and attention from their tutors in order not to develop behavioral problems, get sick or even die. It is important to highlight that most of the diseases that affect these birds may be due to management errors in the breeding of these animals. In this context, the objective of this work was to develop a manual of basic management of care to assist the orientation of tutors of ornamental birds, emphasizing the psittaciformes. In addition, a case report involving a turquoise-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva) possibly intoxicated by trace elements, from commercial cage was included, corroborating the importance of basic care for domesticated psittacines. From the publication of this specific literary work, it is expected to promote and disseminate the knowledge about the subject and to collaborate in the management of the psittacines, providing a life with more welfare for the birds kept in captivity. This work is the final product of the “Programa de Residência em Área Profissional da Saúde - Medicina Veterinária/Medicina Veterinária Preventiva” at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), with emphasis on Mycotoxicological Analysis and Avian Pathology and is configured as a requirement to obtain the degree Specialist in Preventive Veterinary Medicine.