|
In the wild, displaying any sign of illness is not
beneficial to a bird. It is instinctually very important, as a matter of
survival, for a bird to disguise sickness. Often, a flock will abandon or
drive off a sick bird. Birds that appear weak or ill become easy targets.
Unfortunately, the instinct to hide illness also carries over to pet birds and
once we notice any sign of illness it usually indicates they have already been
sick for some time.
Close and careful observation of your bird's
behavior, eating habits, physical appearance and droppings will all provide
clues and help you to determine quickly if your bird is not feeling well. Any deviation from your birds
“normal daily routine” could indicate a problem.
Things to watch
for include:
-
Is your
parrot eating and drinking it's normal amount each day?
-
Is your
parrot engaging in his normal level of activity (i.e., talking, singing,
preening and playing)?
-
Is your parrot remaining
at the bottom of its cage?
-
Is your
parrot sleeping more than usual?
-
Has your bird's
physical appearance changed?
-
Are its feathers fluffed
up for long periods without a reason (i.e., cold or sleeping)?
-
Are its eyes partially
closed or remaining closed the majority of the time?
-
Are its feathers
malformed? Has it had an incomplete molt?
-
Does your parrot display
extreme dryness or flaking of the skin?
-
Has your bird's posture
changed?
-
Is your parrot slumped on
its perch or having difficulty in perching?
-
Is your bird losing
weight?
-
Are your
bird's droppings normal (i.e., color, shape,
texture, volume and frequency) for your parrot?
-
Does your parrot have
difficulty breathing as indicated by open-mouthed breathing or tail bobbing?
Do you hear sneezing, wheezing or clicking? Is there discharge from the cere
"nose" or eyes?
-
Are there any signs of
swelling on your bird's body?
-
Is there
something out of the ordinary inside the cage (i.e., blood droplets)?
Notify your veterinarian
immediately if you see any of the signs above. Early detection is the key to
maintaining a healthy bird. Do not waste valuable time trying home remedies, if
your parrot is ill, time is of the essence. However, In some extreme instances, you may wish to
apply first aid or stabilize your parrot before notifying your veterinarian.  Print
Version
|
|
