Common Pet Bird Diseases and Health Problems
February 15th 2009 19:08
To start, it's good to realize that most pet bird disease are caused by poor management techniques, inadequate sanitation, inadequate diet, improper quarantine techniques, lack of proper veterinary care, improper housing or nesting equipment, improper water or food delivery system, or mixing species.
So, the best way to diagnose any problems, is to have a veterinarian diagnose the bird after a thorough examination, meaning examining the bird, cage, food, ventilation, etc. Birds are relatively healthy, but given improper care and mistakes, there are five very common diseases that pet birds can develope.
1. Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a bacterial infection that is much easier to prevent than it is to treat. Eseentially, by using a proper watering system, such as water bottles that prevent debri from getting into the water, you can prevent polluted water. If you frequently disenfect the water bottle or water bowl, you can also prevent the disorder. Basically Sinusitis is caused by bateria growth in the water, as well as worm eggs, protozoa, and algae growth, typically caused by birds dunking their food in their water.
2. Malnutrition
Although, malnutrition is improving, it is a serious concern among small breeders and especially larger breeders. Essentially, malnutrition is caused by improper diet, where the birds receive a basic commercial pelleted diet, and in some cases missing essential nutrients that fresh foods can provide.
3. Polyomavirus
Polyomavirus is a common disesase among pet birds that is actually surrounded by controversy. Essentially the disease can be transfered from one bird to another. This disease can be prevented by a series of at least two vaccinations while the bird is still with the breeder. The adults and the baby birds in the flock should be vaccinated before any bird leaves the nursery. There is still research being done on this disease.
4. Reproductive Problems
There are a number of concerns that can be related to reproduction. Some can be caused by inadequate nestboxes (wrong size, shape, opening substrate), which can prevent successful reproduction. Sometimes incompatibility may prove to be a problem when breeding a pair of birds. There are birds with decreased fertility, increased dead in shell eggs, and weak neonates.
5. Chlamydiosis
Chlamydiosis is also known as psittacosis, parrot fever, and ornithosis. This disease is essentially caused by primitive bacteria that lives and reproduces in the cells. Many outdoor aviaries can become infected with the disease, especially those where the cases and nestboxes aren't protected by bird droppings. The disease is not solely the result of dirty aviaries and cages, but that is one cause. In some cases, captive birds can be infected by wild birds. This disease is potentially contagious to humans, which is why anyone with pet birds should have them tested and vaccinated.
So, the best way to diagnose any problems, is to have a veterinarian diagnose the bird after a thorough examination, meaning examining the bird, cage, food, ventilation, etc. Birds are relatively healthy, but given improper care and mistakes, there are five very common diseases that pet birds can develope.
1. Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a bacterial infection that is much easier to prevent than it is to treat. Eseentially, by using a proper watering system, such as water bottles that prevent debri from getting into the water, you can prevent polluted water. If you frequently disenfect the water bottle or water bowl, you can also prevent the disorder. Basically Sinusitis is caused by bateria growth in the water, as well as worm eggs, protozoa, and algae growth, typically caused by birds dunking their food in their water.
2. Malnutrition
Although, malnutrition is improving, it is a serious concern among small breeders and especially larger breeders. Essentially, malnutrition is caused by improper diet, where the birds receive a basic commercial pelleted diet, and in some cases missing essential nutrients that fresh foods can provide.
3. Polyomavirus
Polyomavirus is a common disesase among pet birds that is actually surrounded by controversy. Essentially the disease can be transfered from one bird to another. This disease can be prevented by a series of at least two vaccinations while the bird is still with the breeder. The adults and the baby birds in the flock should be vaccinated before any bird leaves the nursery. There is still research being done on this disease.
4. Reproductive Problems
There are a number of concerns that can be related to reproduction. Some can be caused by inadequate nestboxes (wrong size, shape, opening substrate), which can prevent successful reproduction. Sometimes incompatibility may prove to be a problem when breeding a pair of birds. There are birds with decreased fertility, increased dead in shell eggs, and weak neonates.
5. Chlamydiosis
Chlamydiosis is also known as psittacosis, parrot fever, and ornithosis. This disease is essentially caused by primitive bacteria that lives and reproduces in the cells. Many outdoor aviaries can become infected with the disease, especially those where the cases and nestboxes aren't protected by bird droppings. The disease is not solely the result of dirty aviaries and cages, but that is one cause. In some cases, captive birds can be infected by wild birds. This disease is potentially contagious to humans, which is why anyone with pet birds should have them tested and vaccinated.
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