Air Sac Mite Infection in Birds
Birds suffer from lung and airway disorders, which can be caused by a variety of respiratory parasites. One such parasitic infection in birds is caused by air sac mites, which affects the entire respiratory tract. The parasites can be present all the way from the nose of the infected bird to the tiny air sacs in the lungs.Canaries and Gouldian finches are two types of birds that commonly suffer from air sac mites.[Read More]
Bacterial And Fungal Skin Infections in Birds
Much like humans, birds suffer from skin infections. In birds, they can be due to injury or infection and usually results in redness and swelling. And if the bird continuously pecks at the infection, it may be ulcerate.In general, symptoms affecting the skin include:ItchingRednessSwelling
If your bird is pecking an skin area more than usual, check for infection and take the bird to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis and medication.There are various types of skin infections in birds, incl[Read More]
Bacterial Diseases in Birds
Birds are susceptible to various kinds of bacterial diseases -- usually caused by a lack of hygiene or stress -- but some birds have genetic immunity and instead become carriers of these diseases, able to infect other birds.However, there are times carrier birds can become sick if they are faced with infection triggers like age (very young or old birds), ill health due to other infections or diseases, environmental or emotional stress, or anything else that temporarily lowers a bird’s immun[Read More]
Bacterial Infection of Small Intestines in Birds
In birds, clostridial disease is a bacterial infection of the small intestines. However, it can affect multiple body organs, depending on the specific clostridial bacteria involved.Symptoms are dependent on the type of clostridial bacteria, but it can affect various organs in the bird's body. Generally, clostridial bacteria infects the bird's small intestines and produces a toxin. This toxin is responsible for many of the symptoms, including a rapid deterioration of health, loss of appetite[Read More]
Beak And Feather Disease in Birds
Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV) or Psittacine Circoviral Disease (PCD). This is a viral condition responsible for damage to the beak, feathers, and nails as well as the immune system of infected birds.PBFD disease was first recognized during the 1970s in Australian cockatoos and has affected over 50 species of wild and pet parrots. The virus is found most frequently among cockatoos, African grey parrots, lovebirds, lories, lorikeets, E[Read More]
Bird Flu in Birds
Avian influenza (or bird flu) is a lung and airway disease found in birds, and it is caused by the influenza virus. This viral infection can also spread to humans, so if your bird is infected, seek immediate treatment and take all necessary precautions to prevent an outbreak of bird flu.Because of its infectious potential to humans, any breakout of avian influenza has to be reported to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. Recently, a ban has been placed on i[Read More]
Broken and Injured Beak in Birds
A bird’s beak consists of the bones of the upper (mandible) and lower (maxilla) jaws, which are covered by a layer of connective tissue (the dermis and epidermis) and a hard, keratin protein outer covering. Several blood vessels and nerves supply the different parts of the beak, and parrots have a concentration of nerve endings near the tip of the beak, called the bill tip organ, that makes the beak very sensitive to temperature and pressure changes.Birds’ beaks function like mammals’ lips [Read More]
Cancers and Tumors in Birds
Cancer or tumors refers to an abnormal growth of cells in a tissue or organ. And while humans often suffer from cancers or tumors, a bird is just as likely. Fortunately, most cancers and tumors can be treated if they are diagnosed in time.There are basically two types of tumors. Benign tumors, which do not spread, and malignant cancers, which spread and are usually termed as cancers in the medical world.There are basically two types of tumors. Benign tumors, which do not spread, and maligna[Read More]
Common Eye Disorders in Birds
Birds can suffer from many different eye disorders. They can be due to an eye injury, or possibly an infection to the area. Occasionally, eye disorders are symptoms of another underlying medical problem. Therefore, if your bird has an eye problem, it should be considered serious and you should consult a veterinarian to rule out any major internal disease.Conjunctivitis, a common eye disorder, is usually caused by bacteria and can be identified as red and swollen eyelids, and may lead to pho[Read More]
Egg Binding in Birds
Egg binding is a common reproductive problem that causes the bird to retain the egg in the reproductive tract, unable to expel it naturally. Female budgerigars, cockatiels, lovebirds, large parrots, and overweight birds commonly suffer from egg binding.A bird suffering from egg binding will have a swollen abdomen and wag its tail frequently. The bird will also have difficulty balancing on the perch. And its leg may be paralyzed, if the egg presses on a nerveEgg binding is caused by the inab[Read More]
Feather Cysts in Birds
Feather cysts are a common skin and feather condition in pet birds. It occurs when a new feather fails to come out and instead curls up under the skin, within the feather follicle. As the feather grows, the lump -- caused by the ingrown feather -- also continues to grow until the feather cyst becomes an oval or long swelling. At times, it can involve one or more feather follicles at a time.A feather cyst can occur anywhere on the bird’s body. In parrots, however, it is commonly seen in the [Read More]
Feather Plucking in Birds
Birds usually pluck their feathers to preen and groom themselves. Feather plucking becomes a serious behavioral disorder when the bird moderately overpreens or even self-mutilates its self.[Read More]
Gapeworms in Birds
Birds can suffer from various lung and airway diseases, sometimes due to a parasitic infection. One such (protozoan) parasite is the gapeworm, which infests the respiratory tract of birds -- many times finches and canaries. The gapeworm is also common in birds housed outdoors; it is rarely found in caged birds.[Read More]
Gastric Yeast Infection in Birds
Birds suffer from various digestive disorders and diseases, including yeast infections. One such yeast infection which can affect your bird is avian gastric yeast (or Macrorhabdus).Macrorhabdus commonly infects birds with low immunity. It also occurs in birds already suffering from another disease, or those that have a diet lacking nutrients.Birds infected with avian gastric yeast (Macrorhabdus) have the following signs and symptoms:Continuousloss of weightRegurgitationof foodExcessivefood [Read More]
Gastrointestinal Parasites in Birds
Gastrointestinal parasites can cause many problems in a bird's stomach and intestines, but also affects the normal functions of other organs. One such gastrointestinal parasitic infection is trichomoniasis.Trichomoniasis, also called canker or frounce, is an infection caused by Trichomonas gallinae, a protozoa (or single-celled microbes). It generally affects wild birds, and is occasionally seen in pet birds, mainly budgerigars.The usual signs of trichomoniasis include pale yellow or whitis[Read More]
Gastrointestinal Parasites (Tapeworms) in Birds
Gastrointestinal parasites can cause many problems in a bird's stomach and intestines, but also affects the normal functions of other organs. Tapeworms, is a type of parasite which affects the bird's digestive tract.Birds commonly affected by tapeworms are cockatoos, African Grey parrots, and finches.Tapeworms found in the stomach and intestines of an infected bird do not show any obvious symptoms. However, tapeworms can be found in the infected bird's droppings, if they are carefully inspe[Read More]
Gout in Birds
Gout is a musculoskeletal disorder affecting the muscles and bones around the joints of the bird.There are two types of gout. Which type the bird suffers from depends on the body parts affected:Visceral gout – this occurs in the tissues of the internal organs.Articular gout – this chronic form of the disease which occurs when uric acid and urates are deposited in the ligaments and tendons, but more commonly in the legs or wing joints. The joints become swollen, red, tender swell, and warm t[Read More]
Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders in Birds
Many avian diseases affect not only the bird’s whole body, but also cause heart and blood vessel disorders in birds of any age, including young birds. These bird disorders are usually due to infections or old age. Just like humans in old age, some birds commonly suffer from heart and blood vessel disorders.If the heart and blood vessel disorders are due to old age, symptoms may include, difficulty walking and flying (or other movements), difficulty breathing, and a shortness of breath.If th[Read More]
Herpesvirus Infection in Birds
Herpesvirus is not only a human virus; it can just as easily infect the birds, too. In birds, herpesvirus infections can cause a variety of diseases, including those can be fatal to the animal.[Read More]
Hormonal Disorder in Birds
Hormonal disorders can occur in birds and cause a disturbance in the blood levels of different hormones.Diseases of the glands can either increase or decrease the hormone secretion ability of the gland. One such glandular disease in birds is Diabetes Mellitus. The usual symptoms of diabetes mellitus are:Increased amount of urine (polyuria)Increased thirstIncreased levels of blood glucose or glucose in urine
Hormonal disorders in birds can be due to many detected or undetected reasons, inclu[Read More]
Intestinal Parasite in Birds
Gastrointestinal parasites can cause many problems in a bird's stomach and intestines, but also affects the normal functions of other organs. One such parasite is Giardia, which is a singled-celled microbes (protozoa) found in the intestines.Giardiasis generally affects cockatiels, budgerigars, lovebirds, and other birds of the parrot family, like macaws, parrots, and cockatoos.Symptoms of the Giardiasis infection include:MalnutritionDiarrheaFaulty absorption of nutrientsWeight lossItchingF[Read More]
Iodine Deficiency in Birds
If pet birds are not given a proper diet, they can suffer from nutritional disorders. One such nutritional disorder is iodine deficiency, which is common in budgerigars.Iodine deficiency affects a bird's thyroid gland -- enlarging it from its usual size of three millimeters, to about about one centimeter, or more. (The swelling of thyroid gland, due to iodine deficiency, is called Goiter.) For birds, the thyroid gland is located in the neck and is one of the glands that maintain proper func[Read More]
Iron Storage Disease in Birds
As in humans, a balanced nutrition is important for your bird. Any nutritional imbalance can result in a host of disorders and diseases in your pet. If there is excessive iron in the blood, it accumulates in the bird's main organs, and is generally referred to as Iron Storage Disease.Iron is needed by the body to manufacture hemoglobin for the blood to carry oxygen. But it important to have a balance. Too little iron in the diet and the bird could suffer from anemia, too much and it can dev[Read More]
Kidney And Urinary Tract Disorders in Birds
Even birds can suffer from kidney and urinary tract disorders like humans and other animals.[Read More]
Low Blood Calcium Levels in Birds
In order to ensure a healthy bird, you must give it a well-balanced diet. This will help prevent any nutritional disorder in your animal. However, if there is a calcium, vitamin D3 and phosphorus imbalance in your bird’s body, it can lead to Acute Hypocalcemia (or a presence of low serum calcium levels in the blood).The bird with acute hypocalcemia will show one or all of the following symptoms:WeaknessTremors(looks like shivering)Seizures
Parathyroid gland abnormalities can lower the calci[Read More]
Macaw Asthma in Birds
Macaw Respiratory Hypersensitivity (or Macaw Asthma) is a lung and airway disease which causes an allergic reaction in the bird. Blue and gold macaws are especially prone to this condition.Birds with Macaw Asthma will display similar symptoms to other respiratory illnesses. Some include: nasal discharge and difficulty breathing, which may lead to permanent lung damage. Allergic birds are also more prone to have a Macaw Asthma relapse.Macaw Asthma can be due to many reasons. One common cause[Read More]
Macaw Wasting Disease in Birds
Digestive disorders in birds are due to various reasons, including infection, low immunity and injury. One such digestive disorder in birds is the macaw wasting disease, or proventricular dilatation disease, which is due to a viral infection and can be fatal.Despite its name, any pet bird can be infected with this disorder. Other birds who are susceptible to macaw wasting disease are cockatoos, conures, and African, Asian and Eclectus parrots.Proventricular dilatation disease affects the ne[Read More]
Newcastle Viral Infection in Birds
Newcastle disease is a viral infection that is usually seen in poultry, but it can also affect pet birds. Newcastle disease, which causes various lung and airway disorders in birds, unfortunately has no cure or treatment for it. Birds affected with this disease can also quickly spread the infection to healthy birds.Symptoms for Newcastle disease include:Appetite lossWeight lossSneezingNasal dischargeEye dischargeBreathing problemsDiarrhea (usually bright yellow or green in color)Loss of coo[Read More]
Pacheco's Disease in Birds
Pacheco's disease is a highly infectious and deadly bird illness. It is caused by the rapidly spreading Herpesvirus and especially affects birds in the parrot family. Once infected, the animal may or may not develop symptoms, but usually dies within a few days of contracting the disease.[Read More]
Parasitic Feather Mites in Birds
Feather Mites are a skin problem outside aviaries birds suffer from. And although this parasitic infestation seldom occurs in the pet birds staying inside, if left untreated, it can lead to the bird's death and be contagious to other birds.When a bird is infested with feather mites, it will be restless throughout the day -- even more so at night. Due to the blood loss, the bird will also suffer from anemia. And young birds infected with feather mites have a high fatality rate.It is caused b[Read More]