title: Clinical avian nutrition.
abstract: Psittacine birds eat plant-based foods. Birds in the wild seem to be able to balance their energy needs, amino acids, and calcium. Companion birds in captivity do not do as well when self-selecting, and balanced diets are needed to improve their general health. A nutritional history is important to determine whether the avian patient is in balance nutritionally. Understanding the various sources of the fat-soluble vitamins, calcium, and protein will help guide clients to provide nutritious foods for their birds. Owners need to learn to use foraging as a major source of their bird's diet and techniques.
authors.affiliation: Bird & Exotic Pet Wellness Center, 5166 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH 43623, USA. Electronic address: drsusanorosz@aol.com.
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Orosz
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010311:Parrots / Q000502:physiology*; D057805:Pets / Q000502:physiology*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000737:chemistry; D014815:Vitamins / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins
keywords: Avian; Diet; Foraging; Minerals; Nutrition; Proteins; Psittacine; Vitamins