-- Louie Mathews, San Mateo, Calif.

A potty-trained bird, especially one that can be trained to go on command before leaving the cage, can be very convenient for owners. For a period of time the cloaca is empty and the bird is less likely to soil you or the house. On the down side, potty training can cause problems if the bird is so well trained it will not eliminate unless given a specific command or taken to a special "potty place." In these situations, as long as the owner is around to give the command, all may be well. But if the owner has to travel or suddenly becomes ill or dies and no one else knows the magic words, the bird may indeed hold it in. This has happened with some dogs. They are trained to eat or eliminate only on command, then the owner leaves them at a kennel without instructions. In one case, the owner had to call long distance and tell the dog on the phone to do it. (Yes, they held the phone to the dog's ear!)

In any case, forcing a bird to hold its droppings for long periods of time may have potential serious results. The cloaca can be become distended with fecal matter, which can lead to overstretching of the organ and paralysis. Combined with backed up uric acid crystals, fecal matter can form fecaliths - rock-like balls of fecal matter - which would also require medical attention, including enemas and possibly surgery.

The moral to this story: "When you gotta go, you gotta go!"

James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.

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