Most of the examination methods and veterinary treatments practised at the Swift Clinic correspond to the standard of modern avian practice.
In addition to clinical examination, a radiological examination is often indispensable for injured swifts. For several years, the Swift Clinic has had its own X-ray equipment.
Further examinations are not performed routinely, but only when they appear necessary for diagnosis and/or further therapy of the swift in question. These include parasitological, microbiological and histological examination; the latter are commissioned externally at a veterinary laboratory ("Vet-Med-Labor" / Ludwigsburg).
The essential ophthalmological examination for eye injuries is performed by an eye expert for the Swift Clinic; we would like to thank Dr. med. vet. Birgit Lohmann in D – 63303 Dreieich. www.tieraugenpraxis.de
Soft tissue and bone surgery, e.g. intramedullary pinning for wing fractures, but also conservative treatment methods such as beak corrections and special bandages are routine at the Swift Clinic. Great emphasis is placed on subsequent physiotherapy for convalescents; individual training programmes have been developed for swifts.
In particular, the Swift Clinic specialises in the treatment of large feather damage. For several years, the falconry method of imping has been successfully practised on a large scale in swifts.