Egg Binding

In this episode of Current Vet, Dr. Lottie talks about egg binding (avian dystocia) in chickens and pet birds, why it can become serious so quickly, the key clinical signs to recognise and how to stabilise and treat these birds when they present.

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Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:42 Case
02:31 Aetiology & Pathogenesis
09:26 Clinical Signs
11:14 Diagnosis
15:39 Treatment
23:17 Prevention
24:35 Key Points
26:25 Outro

References

• Abou-Zahr, T. (2022) ‘Avian reproductive disorders’, Companion Animal, 27(2). Available at: https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2021.0056.
• Clayton, L.A. and Ritzman, T.K. (2006) ‘Egg Binding in a Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)’, Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice, 9(3), pp. 511–518. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvex.2006.05.004.
• Harcourt-Brown, N.H. (1996) ‘Torsion and Displacement of the Oviduct as a Cause of Egg-Binding in Four Psittacine Birds’, Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 10(4), pp. 262–267. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/30134507 (Accessed: 8 September 2026).
• Vavlas, A. et al. (2025) ‘Resolution of egg binding is possible in most client-owned parrots when multiple treatment strategies are considered’. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.11.0749.
• Jenkins, J.R. (2000) ‘Surgery of the Avian Reproductive and Gastrointestinal Systems’, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 3(3), pp. 673–692. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1094-9194(17)30069-5.
• Abou-Zahr, T. et al. (2019) ‘Percloacal Ovocentesis in the Treatment of Avian Egg Binding: Review of 20 Cases’, Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 33(3), pp. 251–257. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1647/2018-376.

Current Vet is an educational podcast intended for veterinary students, veterinary professionals, and individuals with an interest in veterinary medicine.

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Any clinical cases discussed in this podcast are fictional, and are designed to reflect typical or likely clinical scenarios for educational purposes. They do not represent specific real-life cases, clients, or animals.

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