Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice: Companion and Aviary Birds, 3rd Edition

by Bob Doneley, Shangzhe Xie
June 2025

This book is an invaluable quick reference resource for clinicians and a useful study guide for veterinary students and residents.

This practical and beautifully illustrated book takes you on a walk through avian medicine, beginning with the basics, such as common species, husbandry, nutrition, and grooming, before moving on to the more clinical-focused material, such as how to perform a physical examination, collect samples and interpret diagnostic tests, take good quality radiographs and then interpret them, and how to support a sick bird while in hospital.

It then moves into the disorders affecting the different organs and body systems. Each chapter begins with a description of clinical anatomy and physiology before going on to explore the disorders associated with the effects of disease or trauma. The book also addresses behavioural problems, incubation of eggs, paediatrics, anaesthesia, and surgery.

For this edition, Bob Doneley is joined by avian, zoo/wildlife and exotic pet veterinarian Shangzhe Xie. Together they have thoroughly updated the book by incorporating the latest research and covering a larger range of avian species. Building on the practical aspects that make this book stand out from other resources, they have added step-by-step pictorial guides to common procedures and surgeries, as well as videos for longer, more complicated ones. Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice will therefore allow the practitioner to immediately help the patient at hand, whether to prescribe a medication or perform a life-saving surgery.