Special Diseases of Pet Birds

By Jim A. Stunkard and Edward T. Mallinson.

The main characteristics and basic prevention and control strategies for many of the disorders and diseases that will be discussed here have been covered in a previous chapter on Infectious Diseases. The chapter you now are reading provides additional features that will apply first to all types of pet birds, and then to selected diseases found mainly in only one or two types.

All Bird Types

Noninfectious and miscellaneous disorders have been listed first because they generally are the types of problems most people face keeping pet birds.

Beak Deformities.

Abnormally overgrown upper beaks may occur. Parakeets frequently need the upper beak trimmed, filed or ground back until it overlaps the lower beak only slightly. This often applies to large parrot types and raptors as well. In some cases, beak deformity is the result of mites, inherited defects, poor nutrition, injury or tumors.

Bumblefoot.

Predisposing causes in pet birds, besides those discussed under general diseases, include vitamin A deficiency and confinement to hard potentially abrasive cement floors. Padding of perches, vitamin A injections and surgical treatment may be required to correct this condition in raptors and other valuable birds.

Claw Deformities.

Small perching birds, especially canaries and other finches, may be prone to fractured bones if claw deformities are not corrected. This usually requires trimming away claw overgrowth and the control of any concurrent leg mite infestations.

Egg Binding.

This life-threatening condition is the result of a bird's inability to complete laying an egg. Found in nearly all pet bird types, it is most often seen in parakeets, cockatiels, finches, and canaries.

Lack of exercise, allowing poorly conditioned hens to breed, infections of the oviduct, and obesity have all been implicated in predisposing birds to this problem. Low calcium intake when seeds or grains are overfed also may play a role.

A generally helpful home remedy has been to place the affected bird in a steaming bathroom (85 to 90 F and 70 percent humidity) for 1 or 2 hours. Consult your veterinarian when additional treatment is required.

Excessive Egg Laying

Birds in high egg production risk egg binding and general exhaustion if their diet is not complete in all essential vitamins and minerals and formulated to supply an increased supply of protein, calcium and energy (calories).

Feathering Ills.

Abnormal molting or feather loss can occur in all avian species. Such problems may be related closely to malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, parasites, tumors, obesity, and boredom. A veterinarian should be consulted to fully evaluate the situation. The stress of fright or overheating also may be involved.

Light daily misting of birds with water from an atomizer stimulates many birds to preen their feathers more actively, with significant improvement in the appearance of their plumage.

Hernias.

Weakened abdominal muscles in any type of bird and especially in parakeets leads to abdominal ruptures that can be mistaken for tumors. Treatment may not be required. Surgical correction sometimes is indicated.

Injuries.

Many veterinarians are skillful and innovative in treating avian injuries. Broken beaks, wings and legs, punctured crops and severe lacerations (cuts or tears) are frequently treated successfully by prompt surgical attention.

Lameness.

Refer to earlier chapter on Miscellaneous Diseases for a brief discussion.

Dieting Can Help

Malnutrition. Deficiencies are prevalent in all pet birds causing beak, skeletal, nervous, muscular, feathering and reproductive problems. In parakeets, lipidosis, a serious problem taxing vital internal organs, is treated by gradually increasing a bird's exercise routine while decreasing feed consumption, especially seeds. Veterinarians can prescribe a reducing diet.

Poisoning.

Homes often contain many items toxic to pet birds. The list includes several house plants, aerosol can propellants, natural gas when a pilot light fails, rodenticides, mothballs, cigarette butts, and denture cleaners.

Overheated non-stick frying pans or fumes of burned meat or fat have been reported to cause sudden widespread avian deaths in some home aviaries. Lead poisoning can result from pecking and eating curtain weights, lead shot and some paints and wine bottle foils.

Tumors. Pet birds, especially parakeets, appear susceptible to a wide range of benign and malignant tumors. Fatty skin tumors often may be treated by dietary changes. Skin or superficial tumors frequently can be removed surgically, but large internal tumors usually are inoperable.

Protozoan Diseases

Coccidiosis. Various Eimeria and Isospora species of coccidia have been found in various types of birds. Although the number of recognized infections is rather low, the disease does produce loss of appetite and watery stools.

Accurate diagnosis is made by examining fecal specimens microscopically to demonstrate the causative coccidial oocysts.

Giardiasis.

This disease is caused by a protozoan that moves about in intestinal secretions by whip-like action of its tail (flagella). Giardiasis can result in very persistent diarrhea, depressed appetite and weight loss.

cockatiels, cockatoos, and parakeets are the most susceptible, especially the young fledglings. Microscopic examination of fecal specimens leads to accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Malaria of Birds.

Several different forms of avian malaria affect pet birds of all types. All are transmitted by bloodsucking flies and mosquitoes. Very briefly, the major forms are blood infections with Hemaproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Plasmodium species.

Hemaproteus, while producing mild and often unnoticed infections in raptors, canaries, and other finch types, has been found to produce fatal illness in pigeons, doves, and cockatoos.

Leucocytozoan infections can be a serious problem in young parakeets, canaries, pigeons and raptors. Anemia and droopiness, soon followed by death, may be seen. Older birds may exhibit few, if any, signs of illness. Internally, the major changes are swelling of the liver and spleen and damage to the heart (myocarditis).

Infection with Plasmodium species occurs less frequently than the other avian malarias. It usually is found in canaries, finches, pigeons, and doves. Symptoms can include ruffled feathers, swollen eyelids, pale watery blood, general weakness, and in severe cases, death. Livers and spleens of affected birds often are darkened and enlarged.

Trichomoniasis.

This protozoan infection, which also is caused by a flagellated motile (swimming) protozoan, is a problem principally in canaries, finches, pigeons, doves and raptors. The mouth is the chief site of involvement.

Advanced infections result in severe accumulations of yellow cheesy debris on the tongue and in the back of the mouth (pharynx). Infections should be professionally confirmed and treated with appropriate drugs.

Bacterial Diseases

Chlamydiosis (psittacosis or ornithosis). As already discussed, the disease is not limited to pet birds. It also is found in turkeys and waterfowl.

This can be an especially serious problem not only in imported parrots and related psittacines, but also in long-established domestic aviaries where prolonged, high death losses can occur. The disease has been called parrot fever.

Imported birds are treated routinely with chlamydiostatic antibiotics to control this infection. Sometimes, however, poor consumption of antibiotic-treated feed means that a portion of imported birds may continue to remain infected. Such birds may become fatally sick soon after purchase.

Chlamydiosis occurs mostly in imported birds, but also can make gradual inroads into a domestic breeding operation when an undetected carrier sheds infection throughout an aviary. Periodic cycles of antibiotic medication are being recommended to avert this problem.

Research supported by the pet industry, private sources, and various agencies is being aimed at developing better methods to detect carriers and consistently get rid of infections. Your veterinarian can keep you informed on this progress.

Outside aviaries or pet bird collections are at risk of Chlamydiosis from infected wild free-flying birds.