Injuries and Accidents of Pet Birds

Pet birds have an innate desire to try to hide any illness or injury. In the wild, showing signs of illness increases the chance they will be attacked by other animals. Thus, any behavior that is out of the ordinary is a sign that your bird may be ill. In particular, if you notice limping, the inability to move the wings properly, any unusual discharge, any changes in droppings, or a general lack of physical activity, you should seek veterinary advice or care promptl

As the average age of the pet bird has increased, so has the incidence of cancers and tumors. Avian cancers include most of the common locations and categories seen in other companion animals. Internally, cancer may occur in the ovaries, testicles, kidneys, liver, stomach (often not identified until the bird has died), pancreas, intestines, heart, lungs, pituitary and thyroid glands, and muscles and bones. Both surgery and chemotherapy have been

A number of diseases may involve multiple parts or organ systems of a bird’s body. Signs can be general (such as weakness or lack of interest in food or activities) or more specific. Sometimes no signs are noted. The more common of these disorders are discussed here.   Polyomavirus Polyomavirus was first identified in budgerigars (budgies), then in other parrots and parakeets, and most recently

Gout is the abnormal deposit of uric acid crystals in the body. Uric acid is produced by the liver and excreted through the kidneys. It is the white chalky material that appears normally in birds’ droppings. The uric acid, when not properly removed from the bloodstream, will begin to crystallize and collect in various places in the bird’s body. It is not toxic or harmful in itself, but the buildup of crystals can severely damage tissues. G

Skin and feather disorders are among the most common health problems seen in pet birds. Loss of feathers and skin disorders can be signs of a local disorder (that is, one that only involves the skin or feathers), or they can be signs of general, system-wide disease.   Feather Cysts Feather cysts occur when a growing feather is unable to protrude through the skin and curls within th

There are a number of reproductive disorders that can occur in pet birds. The following are some of the more common disorders.   Cloacal Prolapse (Vent Prolapse) The cloaca is the common chamber at the end of the intestinal tract into which the reproductive, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts empty. The vent is the opening of the cloaca through which droppings (and eggs in females) pass to th

In pet birds, diseases of the respiratory tract are very common. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. It is critical to recognize and treat these diseases in the early stages, when it is much more likely that treatment will be effective.   Aspergillosis Aspergillosis is the most common fungal infection in birds. It occurs in 2 forms. The first form primaril

Avian nutrition has greatly improved in recent decades but remains a common problem for pet birds. Formulated diets in pellet form and even organic formulated diets are now available, and domestically raised birds generally accept these readily. However, the nutritional requirements for individual species are still largely unknown. Many birds are still fed inadequate diets. The two most common reasons for malnutrition include allowing birds to choose what they want t

Like people, birds can break bones and develop diseases that cause problems with their musculoskeletal system. In this section, some of the most common problems involving bones and muscles in birds are covered.   Fractures Birds do break bones and suffer joint dislocations. These problems can be challenging to treat, because some of the bones are pneumatic (air filled) structures that are part

Swelling and inflammation of the eyes is called conjunctivitis. It may be an infection of just the eye, often caused by bacteria, or it may be a sign of a more widespread respiratory infection. Inflammation of the internal structures of the eye is called uveitis, which may be a sign of a generalized disease. If the inflammation goes untreated, it may lead to the format