Conure Information / Conures as Pets

Index of Bird Diseases … Symptoms and Potential Causes … Bird Species and Diseases They are Most Susceptible to

The Conure Bleeding Syndrome (CBS) has been reported in several conure species, including (but not limited to) the Blue-crowned Conures, Nandays, Peach-fronted Conures, Orange-fronted Conures, Sun Conures and Patagonian conures. This condition tends to affect mostly baby conures, but adult conures that are severely stressed can be affected.

 

Symptoms:

  • Similar symptoms to lead toxicosis
  • The main characteristic: Recurrent bleeding episodes
  • Initially weakness and drowsiness occurs, and eventually bleeding either externally (from the mouth or cloaca / vent) or internally
  • Fatal, if no treatment is provided, but prognosis for recovery is good with treatment

 

Potential Causes:

  • May be caused by retrovirus – an unproven theory.
  • “The etiology of conure bleeding syndrome is unknown, but it is possible that a dietary lack of vitamin K, calcium and other nutrients may alter normal clotting mechanisms.” (Source: Abridged Edition of “Avian Medicine: Principles and Applications” by Ritchie, Harrison and Harrison.)

 

Treatment Options:

  • “Injectable Vitamin K1, Vitamin D3, calcium and antibiotics are indicated.” (Source: Abridged Edition of “Avian Medicine: Principles and Applications” by Ritchie, Harrison and Harrison.)
  • As prescribed by the vet

 

Prevention:

  • Vitamin K: Provide a balanced diet rich in food items high in calcium and Vitamin K, including dark leafy greens and vegetables (i.e., kale, broccoli), carrot tops, alfalfa, tomatoes, egg yolk, soy oil, and fish meal.
  • Vitamin D – the “Sunshine Vitamin”: Birds need exposure to UVA and UVB rays from direct sunlight (windows block necessary UV rays) or full-spectrum lighting to synthesize vitamin D necessary for bone health. Birds enjoy natural sunlight and if you can provide that on a daily basis – that would be best and most inexpensive way to go. However, when weather conditions prohibit this, full-spectrum lighting is a viable alternative.
    • Natural food sources rich in Vitamin D
    • Potentially discuss supplementation with your vet. Supplementation needs to be carefully screen ed and supervised by a vet since an excess of vitamin D (in the form of a supplement) causes kidney damage and retards growth.

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Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.