Pet Bird Diseases

Many diseases can threaten the health and life of a pet bird. Often, caged birds contract diseases from unclean cages or not having enough gravel in their cages. Pet birds can also become sick from their cages hanging where there is an air draft, causing the bird to be chilled to the point of even death. Caretakers sometimes give their pet birds treats containing sugar, pastry and other ingredients that are bad for their health. Simply put, the key to a healthy pet bird is maintaining a healthy diet and a clean cage.

  1. Symptoms of Disease

    • Common symptoms of a pet bird suffering from a disease include eye discharge, discoloration of eyes, sneezing, eye swelling, eyes closing, decreased appetite, weight loss, fatigue, droopy wings and swollen feet and joints. Additional signs may be lumps on the bird's body or a bird not being able to manipulate food within its mouth. A change in the quantity or quality of droppings is another symptom.

    Bird Foot Disease

    • Bird foot disease is caused by unclean cages, including caretakers failing to use sand or gravel at the bottom of their birds' cages so they can scrape the perches. This disease also occurs in birds refusing to bathe themselves. Treatment involves regularly washing a bird's feet in lukewarm water for softening any matter stuck to feet. After the feet dry, you should be able to be remove any material using a soft cloth. Consult a vet if there's no improvement.

    Enteritia

    • Enteritia is a disease classically found in budgerigars (parakeets) and is usually caused by feeding birds tidbits containing sugar and starch rather than normal seed. Symptoms include diarrhea and a bird tucking its head under its wings with its feathers fluffed out.This disease needs immediate attention, because it can be deadly. According to the Bugdie-Parakeet.com website, treatment involves draping a sheet over the sick bird's cage and placing the cage's open side near a fire. Also, sprinkle powdered bismuth carbonate over its seed.

    Mites And Lice

    • Birds that are restless, too thin and constantly pick their feathers may be suffering from a mite infestation. Put a white sheet over the bird's cage at night. If the bird has mites, you will see the tiny red mites the following morning. Mites and lice need the attention of a vet, who will likely prescribe special medications.

    Proventricular Dialation Disease

    • Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is one of the most perplexing bird diseases known. It typically affects parrots, hookbills, cockatoos and conjures. Caused by a virus destroying the nerve supply to the forestomach (proventriculus), PDD makes it impossible for a bird to properly digest its food. Common symptoms include weight loss, vomiting and a swollen crop.

    Candida

    • Candida is a bird yeast infection that affects a bird's digestive system. The disease can also damage the respiratory system, beak and other organs if the amount of yeast increases or the digestive tract is injured. Candida also infects feathers and a bird's eyes, skin and reproductive tract. This condition usually is common to young birds such as cockatiels or those with weakened immune systems.