A v i a n   d i s e a s e s &

H e a l t h   i s s u e s

THE FOCUS IS ON HEALTH

                 This website is still under construction!

IDENTIFYING A POTENTIALLY SICK BIRD

GENERAL BIRD SAFETY TIPS - DANGERS / POISONING RISKS

A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM - IMPORTANT IN FIGHTING DISEASES

GOING TO THE VET / MEDICAL INFO

DO-IT-YOURSELF DISEASE / SEX TESTING

SUMMARY OF / IN-DEPTH INFORMATION OF BIRD DISEASES /
HEALTH PROBLEMS, RESEARCH, ETC.

IDENTIFYING A POTENTIALLY SICK BIRD

Birds are excellent 'con-artists' when it comes to hiding disease.  They have to be, because -- in nature -- 'looking sick' means attracting the attention of preditators who are looking for easy prey.

However, there are signs that help in assessing if a bird has a health problem.  Such as the following:

    1.    Being lethargic, prolonged periods of being fluffed up, excessive sleepiness, change in personality (quieter, less vocal), etc. 
    2.    Signs of drowsiness, or even bad breath can be an indicator that something is wrong.
    3.    Changes in feather condition or failure to replace old feathers.
(Note that broken feathers are not a sign of disease.   Feathers do break at times, especially in clumsy   youngers / chicks.
The feather condition of baby birds / recently weaned birds is also usually not as good as the adults'.   Anybody who handfed baby birds and knows how easily they get themselves 'into trouble' and how often they dirty themselves, knows what I am talking about.  However, there is a difference between 'deformed feathers' and   'broken/soiled' feathers that you should take note of.  And of course, a 'not so perfect' chick should mold to show a good plumage.  If it doesn't, there may be a problem.)
    4.    Sneezing, coughing (clicking sound), difficulty in breathing, discharge from nostrils.
    5.     Weight loss (i.e., prominent breastbone).
(Note that in most birds you will feel a breastbone.  Especially young birds may not have developed all their muscles yet.   The difficult task is to assess how prominent the breastbone is ... I personally like to 'fatten' my birds up so that you can feel" good flesh around the breastbone. )
    6.     Eye discharge, crusty or swollen eyelids.  Eyes appear cloudy or bulge.
    7.     Loose droppings, or droppings that contain undigested seeds.    Also change in color of droppings (please see 'poopology' for details).
    8.    Seizures, circling, paralysis.
    9.    Growth/tracks/white crust around beak.
  10.   Swollen joints, deformities of wings, toes, legs.   Favoring one leg over the other.  Not holding wings the same way.

New/Well-Bird Testing

Your Bird's Physical Exam

GENERAL BIRD SAFETY TIPS - DANGERS / POISONING RISKS

Bird Safety Bird-safe disinfectants  A Practical Guide To Disinfectants
Poisoning risks    Food We Shouldn't Feed Birds 
Metal Toxicity   (zinc and lead poisoning)    Litter materials that can cause intestinal blockage
Bird-safe alternatives in pest control (how to deal with ants, roaches, rodents)
Toxic Plants    Safe Plants  Toxic Plants & Foods 
Non-Toxic Branches & Plants  Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
Toxic Plants & Common Household Poisons Teflon Poisoning!

TEFLON / NON-STICK COOKWARE POISONING WARNING!                                                                               
If you know of any special risks to our feathered friends, please contact me!          

 Info on Antibiotics

First Aid (Excellent web site with info on: Air Sac Rupture, Anorexia, Bleeding, Broken Blood Feather, Broken Bones, Burns, Cat Bites, Convulsions, , Diarrhea, Egg Binding, Eye Problems, Heat Stroke, Oil Contamination of Feathers, Poison, Shock, Vomiting, Bird, Hydration for Baby Bird/Sick Bird, Food for Sick Bird, Signs of Illness)

GOING TO THE VET / MEDICAL INFO

New/Well-Bird Testing
Recommended Vets   Didn't Find a Recommended Vet Near You?   Go to  Avian Vet Search

I feel strongly that any pet bird should be considered a family member and as such be provided with health care.   Saying this, I am also aware of the RISK of going to the vet.    Like a breeder friend of mine said: "What better way to pick up a disease!"  I totally agree with that.   I feel a breeder would be better served to have a vet come to my promises rather than going out and potentially allowing my birds to get in contact with and  bring home a deadly disease.  Now, what to do if you are a pet owner?  You would have a real hard time to convince a vet to come to your home to provide health care to your bird.

Now, there ARE ways of minimizing risks of 'catching a disease' at the vet's:

1. Express your concern of your pet getting in contact with an airborne (or otherwise) disease pathogen, and ask to make an appointment very early in the morning before many sick birds have been in the office, or -- if this is not possible -- at any  other time when traffic in the office is slow. 2.  Keep your bird in a COVERED carrier. 
3. Stay away from any other patients -- consider them as potentially contagious. 
4. Do not allow anyone to touch your bird.  5. Once in the treatment room, place a CLEAN towel on top of the treatment table BEFORE placing your bird on it.    Please note that the "Spray & Wipe" method of disinfecting does NOT work since disinfectants need up to 20 minutes of actual contact to kill disease causing pathogens.  6. Observe the vet / vet's assistant to see if they wash their hands  in between patients.

                                                           California Avian Laboratory                                                         
               (Laboratory Reference Ranges, Disease Testing, Diagnostic & Consultative Services for Avian & Exotic Veterinarians) 

DO-IT-YOURSELF DISEASE / SEX TESTING

DNA Sexing/Disease Testing       Net Vet      Medical Resources / MARE   

   DNA vs. Surgical Sexing
Personally, for pet birds I prefer DNA sexing since the risk of Surgical Sexing due to cross-infection at the vet's office -- especially at sexing clinics where the vet performs invasive procedures on MANY birds from a VARIETY of sources -- greatly enhances the risk of spreading disease.   I feel -- for pet birds -- this is simply not worth the risk.  Dr. Ritchie -- in his book: Avian Medicine: Principles & Applications addresses the risk of "Sexing Clinics" in as far as spreading disease during this invasive procedure is concerned.  Besides the risk of 'catching a disease', the risk of anesthesia and invasive procedures such as this should also be considered.  I understand that for a breeder, Surgical Sexing provides the advantage that the the vet can visually inspect the internal organs, to verify breedability of a bird.  If the Surgical Sexing method is chosen, please apply caution to minimize the risks to your bird.

A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM - IMPORTANT IN FIGHTING DISEASES

Through a Combination of:    
Excellent nutrition and an enviornment that  is conducive to the bird's emotional and physical well-being.

VETARC HOME PAGE
For specific, excellent info provided by the Vet Arc website, please visit the following:  
FEATHER PICKING, DIETARY REQUIREMENTS / CONVERTING TO PELLETS, DISINFECTING IN THE NURSERY 

Bird Care Guidelines Special Needs Parrots   Food & Nutrition  
The Problem with Pellets
Average Bird Weights    Food We Shouldn't Feed Birds    Diet Info / Recipes  Eclectus Care/Info 

Guide to Disinfectants

SUMMARY OF / IN-DEPTH INFORMATION OF BIRD DISEASES /
HEALTH PROBLEMS, RESEARCH, ETC.

Summary of Avian Diseases  (Fungal/Nutritional/Tumors/Parasites/etc.)  
Manual of Parrot Diseases / Info on all Major Diseases

PSITTACOSIS / CHLAMYDIOSIS / ORNITHOSIS / PARROT FEVER:  Treatment of Bacterial and Fungal Infections in Psittacine Birds Bacterial Testing   Bacterial Diseases Gram Stains
Coliforms, Salmonella, E Coli - Bacterial Enteritis Diseases

PSITTACOSIS / CHLAMYDIOSIS / ORNITHOSIS / PARROT FEVER:  Myths about Psittacosis   
Compendium of Psittacosis Control, 1998 Compendium of Psittacosis (Chlamydiosis) Control 1997 Psittacosis (Chlamydiosis), 1995 Understanding Psittacosis Psittacosis Psittacosis - Assoc. of Avian Veterinarians Psittacosis Psittacosis by Dr. Bourke, DVM Psittacosis (emphasis on human infection) Psittacosis: The Enigmatic Disease Psittacosis by Dr. Valerie Campbell, DVM Psittacosis Disease (Mining Co.)   Psittacosis (Summary & Treatment) Facts about Psittacosis by Deborah Wisti-Peterson (Identification, Treatment & Control   Psittacosis (Chlamydia Psittaci Infections) in Pet Birds

PDD:   PDD  PDD / PDS / Macaw Wasting Disease - 1996 Progress in Understanding Proventricular Dilation Disease (PDD) (1998) PDD Update (Requires Adobe Acrobat to view.)

PAPILLOMA: Papilloma 

FEATHER DISORDERS:   Feather Disorders  Feather Picking   Feather Plucking    Feathers  PBFD PBFD2   Beak & Feather (3) Quaker Resource Center / Info on Mutilation & Feather Plucking
PBFD - Beak & Feather Disease PBFD Diagnostic Flowchart

POLYOMA:   Polyoma AVIAN POLYOMAVIRUS: David N. Phalen, D.V.M., Ph.D  Info on Polyoma & Techniques for Prevention / Disease Control   Preventing Polyoma - Info on Vaccinations Polyoma Virus

Avian Pox Bordetella Avium in Cockatiels House Finch Conjunctivitis (MG)   Conjunctivitis in Song Birds Budgerigar Ailments & Diseases Avian Gout Giardiasis In Cockatiels Bordetella Avium in Cockatiels

Caring for Pets with Cancer

BREEDING-RELATED PROBLEMS:   Causes of Death or Abnormalities in Embryos
Early Chick Mortality

TOXICITIES / POISONING / INGESTION:  Zinc Toxicities Teflon Poisoning Bird Poisoning Risks In Our Homes  Metal Toxities  Hazardous Litter Material    Bird Safe Pest Control Alternatives  Non-Toxic/Environmentally Safe Cleaners

Gillian's    (Excellent web site with info on: First Aid Kit, Holiday Hazards, Apple Seeds, Citrus Fruits, Papilloma, Safe Wood, Pens/Pencils/Felt Markers, New Homes, Zink Toxicity, Metals,  Onion Toxicity, Weeping Fix Toxicity, Falling from Perches,  Echinacea as an Immunostimulant, Honey,
Uncooked Beans Toxicity, Citronella Oil, Boric Acid/Borax, Pomegranates, Mothballs, Tea Incense , Oak & Acorns, Red Carob Maple Trees, Cedar,
Pinecones, Birch, Eucalyptus, Black Walnut)

Antibiotics 

Veterinary Medical Board and Registered Veterinary Technician Committee 
Poopology Analyzing Bird Droppings / Health Status    Avian Hematology  

First Aid  (Excellent web site with info on: Air Sac Rupture, Anorexia, Bleeding, Broken Blood Feather, Broken Bones, Burns, Cat Bites, Convulsions, Crop Burns, Crop Emptying Problems, Diarrhea, Egg Binding, Eye Problems, Heat Stroke, Oil Contamination of Feathers, Poison, Shock, Vomiting, Bird, Hydration for Baby Bird/Sick Bird, Food for Sick Bird, Signs of Illness)

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Comments / suggestions are welcome:

Please note that I am NOT an expert on avian diseases (thank God), with the exception of one experience with PDD.    The love of my life are birds, and in my quest to learn more about their care requirements and in order to protect my birds from health problems, I have done a lot of research and the Avian Health website is basically a collection of my experiences and resources.   I do deeply care for the health and well-being of ALLl birds, and have spent many hours doing research for people who have had or are experiencing a problem.

Wishing you and your feathered friends good health ...

Sibylle Faye