Signs of Illness in Pet Birds
Signs of Illness in Pet Birds natural instinct is to not show any sign of weakness or it risks being targeted by predators. By the time a pet bird begins to display symptoms of illness, it has likely been sick for several days to weeks. Therefore, bird owners must learn to recognize the subtle signs of illness in pet birds before it is too late and seek veterinary care promptly.
What can make my pet bird ill?
Signs of Illness in Pet Birds Many things contribute to ill health in birds. Improper diets are one of the most common causes of sickness in pet birds. Trauma, toxicities, poor upkeep, inferior hygiene, stress, bacterial and viral infections, and genetic abnormalities may lead to ill health as well. Just because the bird’s outward appearance is normal does not mean the bird is healthy. Any deviation from normal should be taken as a sign of ill health and you should contact your veterinarian immediately. The following lists provide g:Signs of Illness in Pet Birds
- changes in vocalization
- fluffed feathers (looks fatter)
- not eating, changes in eating habits, or reduce appetite
- changes in amount of drinking
- weakness
- drooping wings
- distended abdomen
- listlessness, inactivity, depression
- reluctance to move
- sleeping more
- trauma or bleeding
- dramatic changes in weight (increase or decrease)
Behavior
- any change in regular attitude, behavior, or personality
- unusually tame behavior
- irritability, agitation, biting
Respiratory
- labored breathing or open-mouth breathing
- moving the tail up and down with each breath (tail bobbing)
- nasal discharge
- blocked nostrils
- increased or decreased nostril size
- sneezing (excessive)
- wheezing or wet breathing
- coughing
- irregularity of the cere (the skin around the nostrils)
Respiratory
- labored breathing or open-mouth breathing
- moving the tail up and down with each breath (tail bobbing)
- nasal discharge
- blocked nostrils
- increased or decreased nostril size
- sneezing (excessive)
- wheezing or wet breathing
- coughing
- irregularity of the cere (the skin around the nostrils)
- staining of the feathers around or above the nostrils
Digestive and Urinary
- polyuria (excess water passed with each dropping)
- diarrhea (mushy or unformed feces)
- change in the color of the droppings (red, yellow, tarry black, pale)
- staining of the feathers around the vent (anus)
- decreased number of droppings (normal is 1 dropping every 20-30 minutes)
- straining to defecate
- wet feathers around face and head (see vomiting)
- vomiting (mucus stuck to feathers on the head) or excessive regurgitation
- protrusions from the vent (prolapse