Vets Viewpoint Questions
A:
Firstly, it should be noted that not all avian vets are happy to do diagnostics in this manner so check with your chosen veterinarian before sending the sample. This is a personal choice. For me it means that I can help individuals in remote regions deal with some of their problems.
Secondly, check that your chosen veterinarian will actually be on staff on the day that you expect the sample will arrive. I have arrived back to work on a Monday after a weekend off to find a 4 days old sample in my inbox that is of little use other than fertilising the vegetable garden.
Thirdly, send an appropriate sample. This will depend on why you are sending the sample and what you think you are going to get from that sample.
Microscopic diagnostics of faecal samples have their limitations even when done fresh in the clinic. Faecal samples will not tell you if the bird is suffering a viral infection, has respiratory or feather disorders or if the bird is old, young, male or female. Information on bacterial infections is limited on fresh samples other than total quantities and special stains or cultures are required to make better use of this information. This is of limited use in a posted sample in many circumstances. So what can be diagnosed from a faecal sample???. Most parasitic diseases and fungal disease of the gastrointestinal tract are readily identified by faecal examination. Some bacteria can be identified e.g. Campylobacter, but interpretation of its relevance can be difficult. As most finch diseases fall into the first two categories we are relatively comfortable in our reliance on this means of testing. . Let the vet know if you have medicated the birds first as this may alter what it seen. Provide a clear history of what the bird was doing and why you are sending the sample. Sometimes I receive a bag of droppings with a phone number on it. Not much use to me. Other times I receive a thirteen page letter explaining every death since 1972 and a lovely story about how old the grandkids are now. Interesting, but vets rarely have enough time to sift through all of this for the reason you sent the droppings in the first place. Concise, clear and informative (well, I can dream can’t I ?).
The cost of testing will be determined by what tests are run and the individual clinic. A basic single test will cost $10-15 with subsequent testing often done at a reduced rate. An aviary sample (20 or so droppings from a group of birds) may cost $15-20. Extra testing such as special stains will usually incur an additional charge.
The sample itself does not need to be large. It amazes me at times that I often receive what appears to be every dropping the bird has done in the last 12 months when one or two would suffice. We are lucky with finches that because of their small size, a matchstick heads worth of faeces is generally most of a whole dropping (in a large parrot this may be only 1/20th and therefore may not be a true representation of the rest of the dropping). About 2-3 matchstick heads worth of faeces (or 2-3 whole droppings for each bird being tested) is more than enough. If an aviary is being screened then 20 random droppings is usually the minimum. If collecting part of a dropping, try to leave behind the white part (the urates) as these are of little value diagnostically. Always collect the freshest dropping available. A 2 week old dropping scraped of a wall will yield far less useful information than a fresh steaming prize packaged immediately. The fresher the sample, the more likely you are to identify fragile organisms such as Flagellate protozoa as these die rapidly as the sample dries. The sample should be kept moist, not sopping wet as this usually ends up with the envelope getting wet and some poor mug has to scrape wet, faeces covered envelope paper out of the intricate workings of the mail sorting machine. This does not make them happy. One drop of water per dropping is adequate. Bottled water, sterile water or saline (such as contact lens solution , iv fluids or eye wash) are best. Tap water will suffice but remember it contains chemicals to kill pathogens before we drink it so it may well kill the sample pathogens before the vet gets to see them.
The sample should be placed in some impervious material so it arrives as fresh as you sent it and it does not leak out during transport. Cling wrap or aluminium foil are good, small clip lock bags are better (but push the air out first or they pop in the mail sorting machine (see above for the consequences of this)). Double wrap them if the sample is precious or if you are just cautious. Send them express post wherever possible. A sample is still good if correctly stored and prepared for about 48 hours. 24 hours after this the information is less reliable as bacterial and fungal organisms start to grow rapidly in their nice steamy little package. By 4 days, you can smell the envelope as it is carried in by the cranky postman.
Faecal testing is not a precise and exact art. It is a method of ruling out some diseases, ruling in other diseases but it does not always give a complete picture. It often amazes me what people expect from a faecal sample. A negative result is just as important in many cases as a positive result so if your vet says there are no parasites, no yeast, no significant bacterial changes then be happy. You have potentially ruled them off the list. Now you can focus your attention and money elsewhere. Also remember that diagnosing the disease is one thing but treating it is a whole different ball game. Many medications such as antiparasitic medications can be readily supplied on the basis of a faecal test result. Other medication may be limited in supply depending on the legislation in the state that the tests are being run. In some regions, antibiotics or antifungals may only be supplied to “bona fide” patients (i.e. you have physically examined the individual animal). This is designed to avoid medication overuse and reduce medication ending up in our food producing animals. Faecal testing may not qualify you as a “bona fide” client. In these circumstances, your avian vet may be able to liaise with a local veterinarian or a veterinarian within another state so that products may be supplied within the legal guidelines. After treatment, your vet will often recommend follow up faecal testing to confirm that the treatment has been successful.
Faecal testing is a reliable and important diagnostic tool if used within its boundaries and there are many happy aviculturist with happy live finches to vouch for that.