True or False: Excessive body restraint can lead to suffocation in birds.

Excessive body restraint can lead to suffocation in birds because birds have unique respiratory systems that depend on a continuous flow of air through their lungs. Unlike mammals, birds rely on the movement of air through their air sacs to facilitate breathing, and restricting their bodies too tightly can inhibit this airflow. This can result in hypoxia, where the bird does not receive enough oxygen, ultimately leading to suffocation.

Moreover, birds are sensitive creatures, and stressors such as excessive restraint can cause severe physiological responses. In situations where a bird feels trapped or unable to move freely, its stress level can increase significantly, further aggravating respiratory distress. Thus, using restraint appropriately and with caution is critical to ensure the safety and comfort of avian patients during veterinary care.