Identifying a Potentially Sick Bird / Do-It-Yourself Disease Testing

FREE GUIDE

Stop Your Bird's Aggression Now!

Download your free guide "Why Birds Bite and What to Do About It"

    I will never sell your information for any reason

    Save This Article As PDF to Read Later

    If you want to Identify a Potentially Sick Bird or want to do-It-Yourself Disease Testing, here at Beauty of Birds you can get all the related information.

    Index of Bird Diseases


    The First Signs of Illness in the Aviary BirdWhy quarantine?Vet ExamDisease Testing and SexingBacterial Testing / Microbiology (Do-It-Yourself Instructions)

    Changes in Bird Weight: Weight gain or weight loss – the primary indicator of health or disease
     


    The First Signs of Illness in the Aviary Bird

    The below Information has kindly been provided by Dr. Rob Marshall, Avian Vet – http://www.birdhealth.com.au 

    Careful observation and an understanding of the normal behavior of your bird is by far the best method of detecting and managing potential illnesses. At the first signs of illness, the observant owner will notice changes in the condition and behaviour of their bird. Important changes to look for include:

    • Abnormal droppings – Please refer to “Poopology
    • Less talkative
    • Out of character
    • Fluffed up
    • Cold feet

    Abnormal Droppings

    The droppings reveal a wealth of information for the observant owner and are a good indicator as to the health of the bird.

    With experience, you can easily monitor the health of your bird by observing for any dropping changes. The early recognition of a dropping change allows you to implement an immediate recovery plan that protects the health of the pet bird.

    A Water Cleanser or Megamix is used as the first line of defense against illness and works well at the first sign of a change in the droppings. The below are signs of a health problem.

    1. Increased size.
    2. Discolored to a shade of green. Any color from khaki to forest green.
    3. Are often wet.
    4. Carry a smell.

    Healthy Bird Droppings

    1. Small with a white cap.
    2. Usually have a down feather attached to it.
    3. Have no sign of wetness surrounding it.
    4. Have no smell.

    The above characteristics are good indicators of a dropping of top health. These droppings should be seen in the bottom of the cage first thing in the morning. The character of the droppings may change from day to day dependent upon many factors, including the food given and the humidity of the air.

    Stop Bird Biting!

    Download our free e-book:

    Why Does My Bird Bite and What To Do About It

      A change in the color, consistency or smell of the droppings should be viewed with caution. The discoloration of the dropping is abnormal in pet birds fed a dry seed mix. Birds fed on soft foods and greens may produce a larger, green colored and watery dropping for a short time.

      Birds suffering from dehydration may have crinkly skin around theirs eyes and produce small, dry droppings.

      For more in-depth information on bird droppings and its indicator of good or poor health, please visit this website.

      The following indicate a health problem.

      1. Being lethargic, prolonged periods of being fluffed up, excessive sleepiness, change in personality (quieter, less vocal), etc.

      2. Signs of drowsiness, or even bad breath can be an indicator that something is wrong. Being lethargic, prolonged periods of being fluffed up, excessive sleepiness, change in personality (quieter, less vocal), etc.

      3. Weightloss / poor weight gain / prominent breastbone.

      4. Changes in feather condition or failure to replace old feathers. (Note that broken feathers are not a sign of disease. Feathers do break at times, especially in clumsy youngsters / chicks. The feather condition of baby birds / recently weaned birds is also usually not as good as the adults’.

      Anybody who handfed baby birds knows how easily they get themselves ‘into trouble’ and how often they dirty themselves. However, there is a difference between ‘deformed feathers’ and ‘broken/soiled’ feathers that you should take note of.

      And of course, a ‘not so perfect’ chick should mold to show a good plumage. If it doesn’t, there may be a problem.)

      Stop Bird Biting!

      Download our free e-book:

      Why Does My Bird Bite and What To Do About It

        5. Sneezing, coughing (clicking sound), difficulty in breathing, discharge from nostrils.

        6.Eye discharge, crusty or swollen eyelids. Eyes appear cloudy or bulge.

        7. Loose droppings, or droppings that contain undigested seeds. Also change in color of droppings (please refer to this webpage for details).

        8. Neurological symptoms, such as seizures, circling, paralysis.

        9. Growth/tracks/white crust around beak.

        10. Swollen joints, deformities of wings, toes, legs. Favoring one leg over the other. Not holding wings the same way.


        HOW IMPORTANT IS A VET EXAM?

        Please check out this BoB / AvianWeb page:

        NEW / WELL-BIRD TESTING for valuable information on this topic. This website also describes the different tests a vet may recommend and the reason for them.

        Stop Bird Biting!

        Download our free e-book:

        Why Does My Bird Bite and What To Do About It

          I value the new bird exam as an important tool to ensure as much as I can that any incoming bird won’t be “the death of all my other birds.”

          If you have no other birds, you risk far less than a multi-bird household.

          Still, it has happened on several occasions that birds were returned or a discount was given by the seller for birds that had health problems.

          If I hadn’t tested those birds and had put them with my other birds, it could have had grave consequences. For multi-bird households ESPECIALLY I suggest testing for Psittacosis, Polyoma, Beak and Feather, and as soon as it is available a PDD test (coming soon!).

          I also have a CBC (blood chemistry) done, which can show internal problems (such as liver disease, etc.).

          It may also be wise to have the vet check for bacteria and parasites – especially for birds that spend a lot of time on the grounds (i.e., grass keets) and/or are known to be kept in crowded accommodations (i.e., the gentle finches, canaries and budgies).

          Your vet may suggest other / additional tests, but these are the tests that I have run – and just as well, I have discovered several problems in newly purchased birds that if I had NOT tested could have had the potential of causing great harm to my birds and a lot of heartache to me.

          If money is an issue, disease testing involving Polyoma, Psittacosis and Beak and Feather can be done without a vet. Check under the heading “Do-It-Yourself Disease Testing” below. For inexperienced bird owners/handlers, however, I recommend using the services of an experienced avian vet.

          Save This Article As PDF to Read Later
          Photo of author

          Team Beauty of Birds

          Beautyofbirds.com's team of experts includes veterinarians, biologists, environmentalists and active bird watchers. All put together, we have over half a century of experience in the birding space.

          You can meet our team here.
          Team Beauty of Birds is separate from the “Parrot Parent University” parrot training course and its instructors.

          Stop your bird from biting today. Download your free e-book to learn how...

          Is your bird aggressive towards you or another family member? Are you tired of the biting and lunging episodes?

          Join our exclusive community of bird parents and get your comprehensive 58-page free e-book "Why Your Bird Bites and What to Do About It"

          Simply enter your details below!