Yes, your bird will need a vet. And not just when he's sick! In fact, birds naturally hide all signs of illness, so if you do see a bird who appears ill, it's probably too late. In the wild, parrots who are sick would be abandoned by the flock. They can be sick, yet still be singing, eating normally, sleeping normally, etc. Veterinary visits can be expensive, especially for exotic animals such as parrots. Expect to pay roughly $50-$200 a visit with tests and cultures, per bird. And that's when your bird is healthy. An ill bird may require medication, x-rays, even surgery. A sick bird could cost you thousands of dolllars. To be sure you find a good, experienced avian vet, first look to see if there is a board-certified avian vet by searching on the website of the Association of Avian Veterinarians. Get references from local bird clubs, shops that have birds for sale, avian rescue facilities, even local breeders of birds. Interview your vet! Ask her how many years she has treated birds, if she's board-certified, where she studied, what her specialty may be. You should feel comfortable asking your vet questions and you should feel comfortable with her handling your bird. Don't allow your bird to be handled roughly or cruelly by anyone.
So how do you know when your bird is getting sick?
• Listlessness, increase in sleeping, consistently fluffed feathers, sleeping on the bottom of the cage
• Loss of voice
• Drop in weight (a 10% weight loss generally indicates some kind of illness)
• Change in dropping frequency/appearance
• Disharge from eyes, nares (the bird's nostrils), mouth, or vent
• Labored breathing
• Tail bobbing
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting (which is different than regurgitation. A bird who vomits will have vomit all over their heads and faces)
- Take your bird to the vet's regularly. Your vet can run tests that can catch viruses, bacterial infections, etc., and then prescribe medications. Your vet will also give you advice on how to keep your bird healthy.
- Weigh your bird regularly. The first sign of illness is often a slight weight loss. You should purchase a gram scale (with or without a perch) and weigh your bird every day while she is a baby, and then weekly after the bird becomes a bit older. Keep a log of your bird's weight so you know if something looks strange. Should your bird start to lose weight, call your vet immediately.
- Monitor your bird's droppings. Your bird's droppings tell a story about her health. You should use newsprint or another type of safe paper on the bottom of the cage so that you can see the droppings. Never use corncob-type bedding, as this can harbor bacteria and cause all sorts of problems. You should note the amount of droppings your bird produces a day. Should this amount change, call your vet. If the droppings begin to change color that can't be explained by a diet change (i.e. blueberries will turn the droppings blue, raspberries will turn them red, pellet eaters will usually have brown droppings, while seed eaters will usually have green droppings) call your vet.
- Feed a healthy diet. Malnutrition is the number one killer of birds. Know what to feed your bird.
- Know your bird! Know your bird's daily habits, his whistling frequency, his sleeping habits, etc. If your bird's daily habits change, call your vet. For instance, if your bird seems to be sleeping more, or if his whistling seems to quiet down, that's a warning sign. Anything out of the ordinary should concern you. You will have to train yourself to really pay attention to your bird.
Accidents
It's inevitable; accidents will happen. Your bird could get scared and thrash around his cage, injuring his wing, or he could be attacked by another bird or family pet. He could get his leg caught in one of his toys, or fly full-speed into a mirror. Be prepared by know how to take care of your bird at home if she's injured.
Here's what you can do to help prevent accidents:
- Only provide safe toys. Toys should be sized appropriately for your bird, and shouldn't contain any parts that could catch a leg, wing, or head. Don't use toys that have "jingle bells" in them or key rings, as these can be dangerous. Remove toys that have bits of string hanging off them, as this can choke your bird, or your bird could ingest it and get an impaction.
- Don't allow other family pets to have access to your bird. That means keeping the dog, cat, ferret, etc., away from the bird! Cats and ferrets are especially dangerous. Cats have a bacteria in their claws and mouths that can kill birds very quickly. Ferrets naturally hunt birds! Some dogs, such as those bred for hunting or retrieving, should not be allowed around your bird. Never allow smaller birds to be housed with larger birds, or any other birds unless you know for sure they get along. Many birds have been injured or killed by other birds kept in the same household.
- Never leave your bird out of her cage unsupervised. Birds can get into all kinds of things, including foods that can kill them, power cords they can chew, light bulbs that can burn them, toilets they can drown in, etc. Multiple birds especially need to be supervised. Anytime your bird is out of her cage, you need to be there with her.
- Bird Proof your house. Just as you would if you had a toddler in your home, you will need to bird proof any areas of your home that your bird will have access to. This means covering up loose wires or power cords, putting anything you don't want destroyed away, covering mirrors and windows, etc. Look at it from your bird's perspective; if it looks fun to chew or hide in, make it safe.
It is your responsibility to care for this glorious animal. Birds do not die for no reason, but they are excellent at hiding illnesses. Be diligent with your bird's health to ensure he reaches his full lifespan. Life in captivity is difficult enough -- the least we can do is keep them healthy!
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