Cage birds often don’t show any signs of distress until a
disease is on its way to becoming harmful, so monitoring any changes in
behavior is important. Some of the most common avian diseases in cage birds
include cancer, bacterial infections, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional
deficiencies. More specific diseases include Proventricular Dilatation Disease
(PDD), which commonly affects parrots. The material below details a list of
common avian diseases and how to recognize the symptoms before it’s too late.
Psittacosis, or “Parrot
Fever”:
Psittacosis is a bacterial infection caused by a bacteria
called chlamydophila psittaci. Symptoms of infection include difficulty
breathing, lethargy, runny stools, and droopy eyes. Hook bills are most
commonly affected by this infection.
If diagnosed with psittacosis, your bird will likely be
placed on antibiotics. If the infection is caught early enough, most birds are
able to survive. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your local avian
vet immediately.
Proventricular Dilatation
Disease (PDD):
This disease, most common in parrots and macaws, affects
the nervous system and digestive system. Symptoms of this disease include
undigested food in feces, the inability to perch or fly, heart tremors and
seizures, gastric upset, and depression.
If you notice any of these symptoms, bring your bird to
an avian vet right away. Because this disease is contagious, it’s important to
isolate an infected bird upon diagnosis. A bird who tests positive will likely
be put on a special diet and possible steroids.
Psittacine Beak and
Feather Disease (PBFD):
PBFD is a fairly serious disease that suppresses the
bird’s immune system, causing vulnerability to other diseases and infections.
All species of parrots are susceptible to this disease, including macaws, African
grey parrots, and budgies.
This disease is characterized by feather loss, arrested
development of feathers in young birds, abnormal beak growth, and skin lesions.
Yeast Infections in Cage
Birds:
Cage birds are susceptible to yeast infections, which are
characterized by white spots in the mouth and beak and abnormal droppings.
Yeast infections are especially common in young cage birds.
Yeast infections in birds are fairly easy to treat. If
your bird is diagnosed with a yeast infection, they will likely be placed on
antifungal medication until the symptoms subside.
Nutritional Deficiencies
in Birds:
If your bird has a healthy diet and regularly takes
nutritional supplements, the chances of having a deficiency are slim but not
eradicated. If your bird is lacking in nutrients such as calcium or Vitamin A,
they may exhibit seizures and trouble breathing.
To avoid a nutritional deficiency, make sure you are
feeding your bird the correct type of food for based on their species. Pellet
diets generally provide more nutrients than seed based diets.
Giardia:
Giardia is a protozoan disease that commonly affects cage
birds. If your bird is experiencing diarrhea or dry skin, they may have
giardia. Birds with giardia often pick and itch at their skin or even pluck
their own feathers to relieve itching.
Giardia can be cured and controlled with medication and
proper hygiene. While it’s possible for giardia to be passed from mammals to
humans, it generally does not spread from avian creatures to humans.
Signs of a Healthy Bird:
While it may be difficult to detect diseases in birds,
it’s fairly easy to know when a bird is happy and healthy. Signs of a healthy
bird include head shaking, molting, and possibly hatchlings. Don’t be alarmed
if you notice that your bird has shed much of its plumage into the cage; this
usually means that new feathers will grow back healthy and vibrant.
Author:
Kashif CH
Tags: Symptoms of Diseases in Birds and their Treatment
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