Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic
9330 Waldemar Road Indianapolis, IN 46268
Dr. Angela Lennox D.V.M. Dipl. ABVP - Avian
www.exoticvetclinic.com (317) 879-8633
Avian Surgical Sexing
WHAT IS SURGICAL SEXING?
Surgical sexing is the determination of the gender of a bird by directly viewing testicles
or an ovary inside the bird’s body with a special instrument called a rigid endoscope.
The small tip of the endoscope is inserted into the bird’s air sac. Through the endoscope,
the veterinarian can view many of the bird’s internal organs.
IS THE BIRD ASLEEP DURING SURGICAL SEXING?
For safety reasons, and to control temporary discomfort, general anesthesia is required for
surgical sexing. The bird breathes a carefully controlled anesthetic gas, with oxygen,
through a face mask. Once the brief procedure is completed, gas is discontinued. As
oxygen is continued, the bird begins to awaken, typically within one to five minutes. The
bird can stand and climb shortly afterward.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS TO SURGICAL SEXING?
Anytime a general anesthetic is used, a small degree of risk of illness or death occurs. For
this reason elective surgical sexing is only done on apparently healthy birds, and the
safest anesthetic available is used. All patients are monitored carefully from induction
through recovery by trained avian veterinarian assistants. It should be noted that in
nearly all cases of anesthetic related injury or death, the birds had some degree of severe,
undetected underlying disease. In the hands of a skilled operator, risks from the actual
surgical procedure itself are minimal, but can include bleeding and damage to internal
organs.
ARE THERE ANY ADVANTAGES TO SURGICAL SEXING?
An advantage to surgical sexing is that the veterinarian has an opportunity to view many
of the bird’s internal organs, including lungs, heart, spleen, liver and air sacs. If an
abnormality is found, a biopsy or other specimen can be taken immediately to speed
diagnosis and treatment. In the case of birds intended for breeding, surgical sexing can
detect abnormalities of the ovary and testes. While genetic (DNA) testing will accurately
reveal whether the bird has male or female chromosome, surgical sexing confirms the
presence of normal appearing testes or ovaries.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT SURGICAL SEXING?
The staff of the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic will be happy to discuss this procedure
with you, as well as alternatives to surgical sexing. We can also direct you to local area
breeders familiar with the procedure, as well as members of the Association of Avian
Veterinarians.