Detecting the Signs
of Illness in
Avians
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Most disease in caged birds is directly or indirectly related to
malnutrition and stress. Malnutrition most often stems from what
the bird eats, rather than how much it eats. Most caged birds are
offered enough food, but they do not receive enough of the proper
foods and in the proper proportions. Stress results from any
condition that compromises a bird's state of well-being. Examples
include poor husbandry, inadequate diet, rapid temperature changes,
and trauma.
All owners of caged birds must understand that birds tend to
"hide" signs of illness. Birds can compensate for serious internal
disease in such a way that they appear healthy externally. It is
theorized that evolution has "taught" birds to hide signs of illness
to avoid being harassed and possibly killed by other birds in the
same flock.
Because of this disease-masking tendency, by the time a bird
owner recognizes illness in a pet bird, the bird may have been sick
for 1-2 weeks. Therefore, one cannot afford to take a "wait and see"
approach and hope the bird improves. Be observant and act promptly.
Learn to look for subtle signs of illness, and take special note of
changes in the routine and habits of your pet bird. Seek veterinary
assistance promptly if you suspect illness.
Following is a list of signs of illness easily recognizable by
the concerned bird owner. Alone or in combination, they signify
potential illness in your bird.
Signs of Illness
-- Discharge from the eyes
-- Change in clarity or color of the eyes
-- Closing of the eyes
-- Swelling around the eyes
-- Discharge from the nostrils
-- Obstructed nostrils
-- Soiling of feathers on head or around nostrils
-- Sneezing
-- Inability to manipulate food within the mouth
-- Reduced appetite or not eating at all
-- Fluffed-up feathers
-- Inactivity
-- Droopy wings
-- Decreased preening and feather maintenance
-- Break in the bird's routine
-- Change in or no vocalization (may be serious)
-- Weight loss
-- Equilibrium problems (very serious!)
-- Inability to perch (bird on cage bottom)
-- Limping or not bearing weight on 1 leg
-- Swollen feet or joints
-- Change in quality or quantity of droppings
-- Open-mouthed breathing when at rest (very serious!)
-- Tail pumping (rhythmic back & forth motion of tail when resting)
-- Lumps or masses anywhere on the body
-- Bleeding (always an emergency situation, regardless of the origin)
If you suspect illness in your bird, do not delay in making an
appointment with your veterinarian. Either transport your bird to
the doctor's office within its cage or use some other suitable
container (smaller cage, pet carrier, box). Never visit the
veterinarian with your bird perched on your shoulder. This method
does not provide enough protection for your pet. Whatever container
you choose should be covered to help minimize the stress to your sick
bird during its visit. If you take your bird to the veterinarian in
its own cage, do not clean it first. The material you discard
could represent valuable information to the veterinarian.
After a sick bird has been initially treated by a veterinarian,
home care is very important. Sick birds must be encouraged to eat
and must be kept warm. Illness can cause significant weight loss in
a matter of days, especially if the bird stops eating. If this
happens, the patient must be hospitalized. However, even a sick bird
with a "healthy appetite" can close substantial weight because of the
energy drain caused by the illness.
As a general rule of thumb, any caged bird that appears ill to
its owner is seriously ill. One day of illness for a bird is roughly
equivalent to 7 days of illness for a person. The tendency for a pet
bird owner in this situation is to first seek advice from pet stores
and there purchase antibiotics and other medication for their sick
pet bird. With very few exceptions, these non-prescribed products
are worthless. They allow the sick bird to become even sicker, and
greatly compromise the results of diagnostic tests that the
veterinarian may require to properly diagnose and treat the patient.
Contact your veterinarian at the slightest sign of illness in your
bird.
Supplemental heat (space heater, heated room, heating pad under
the cage bottom or wrapped around the cage, heat lamp) is vital for a
sick bird. It is especially necessary if the bird's feathers are
fluffed up. Provide just enough heat so that the feather posture
appears normal. Overheating the patient must be avoided at all
costs. Heat-stressed birds pant, hold their wings away from the
body, depress their feathers lose to the body, and appear anxious and
agitated. Heat stroke and death can result if the bird continues to
be overheated. The environmental temperature should be kept at
80-95 F for sick birds. The patient's cage should be covered (top,
back and sides) during its convalescence.
If a bird refuses to crack seeds or eat other foods that require
a great deal of work, offer hulled or sprouted seeds or other "easy"
foods, such as warm cereal, cooked rice, cooked pasta, vegetables,
applesauce and other fruit sauces, and peanut butter. Remember,
birds that refuse to eat must be hospitalized. Few people can
successfully force-feed a sick bird at home.
CLICK HERE for more Bird Articles
CLICK HERE for some Vet notes on avian diseases
CLICK HERE to see Kids Spot Fun
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