TheTameParrot.com - Say “BYE” To Your Parrot Problems

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Question for the readers:

Do you get an annual physical check-up? Why?

Because you need to be sure you’re healthy and don’t have any diseases or major problems developing. You may feel fine, and you don’t feel the cancer in your colon, or the tumor forming in your chest. That slight cough may be signs of something serious, but you will never know unless someone trained in detecting medical problems can examine you.

You don’t care that it’s going to cost money! If it’s a family member, that doesn’t matter either! You do what is best for them. So once a year you visit the doctor and get a physical checkup.

Why not your bird?

Birds have a very annoying habit of hiding when they are not feeling well. When you finally begin to notice something is wrong, it may already be too late. It will certainly cost you a lot more money in emergency bills, and if you have to hospitalize your pet, that can cost you hundreds of dollars!

LET’S VISIT THE VET…

The very first thing you should do when you purchase a bird is to have it examined. This should always be done within the first three days of having it. You should already have looked around to find a qualified avian vet. Remember, all vets do not work with birds. Many won’t even look at them. Where I live, there are only a few avian vets, and this is a rather large city.

Be prepared to answer questions. The vet will want a full background of your bird. That includes age and sex (if you know it), origin, what you are feeding it, what the cage is like, and how long you have had it. What is the overall condition of the bird? How has it been in action? Be sure that you have observed your bird for a few days so you can answer this.

When you observe the bird, try to stand away from the cage. Sick birds tend to hide obvious problems, and if you are standing close they will disguise their ailments. Are they standing on the perch or on the floor? Are they eating regularly? Have you noticed a change in their temperament? For example, if your bird normally sings and makes lots of noises in the morning, and is suddenly quiet, that could be a sign of something. Tell these observations to your vet.

There are a lot of diseases that your bird can catch. Many can be brought in by the owners on their clothes or hands.

THE PHYSICAL EXAM

Observation of the bird is not enough to identify many health issues. Many times it will require a hands-on exam, allowing the vet to look for internal problems. I don’t know why doctors insist in poking you and asking “Does this hurt”…but it sees to have rubbed off on veterinarians also.

Next do some close visual examinations. Observe your vet! Ask questions! This is where you begin your own education on taking care of your bird. When the vet is looking at the ears, skin, feathers, and vent, what are they looking for? Have them show you how to do these examinations yourself.

DROPPINGS

One of the best ways to identify a potential health problem is by examining the bird’s droppings. Your vet can tell by the color, composition and volume of the droppings if there is a problem. He may microscopically examine a sample. By looking at the sample under a microscope, he can determine if your bird has any internal parasites. Check to see how your vet does this.

We generally recommend taking a white sheet of paper and placing it on the bottom of the cage prior to your visit, and take the sample with you.

WEIGHT

Many times you can feel your bird and find out if it’s overweight or malnourished. If that’s the case, you need to monitor the weight on a regular basis. Your vet will take the weight as part of the exam. Ask him what the normal weight should be. If there is a problem, purchase a good quality gram scale and monitor the birds progress as you work with the diet.

TESTS

Depending on what the vet has discovered, he may recommend certain tests be done.

Psittacosis tests are used for screening “parrot fever”. This should be done on a regular basis, not only for the safety of your bird, but your own. Chlamydia Psittaci can be transmitted from birds to humans, and can be fatal.

Your vet will likely want to take a CBC Blood Test. This is a wide ranging test that will identify many different problems. I encourage this test mainly to ensure the bird’s diet is correct. A CBC will identify if your bird is missing certain vitamins or minerals by checking the biochemical functions, and also identify possible organ dysfunctions.

MICROBIOLGY AND RADIOGRAPHS

These tests are usually offered only by very experienced vets. Microbiology is the art of examining cultures from the throat, vent, crop, or other tissue/fluid samples. These tests will be performed if the vet observes any specific problems, and needs to narrow it down.

Radiographs are very useful for identifying internal problems that are impossible to see from a physical exam. If your vet is trained, he can read the X-Ray to identify not only bone fractures, but internal organs and the presence of foreign bodies.

You will probably want to have your bird vaccinated while you are there. But as a rule, it’s not always necessary. If you suspect there is a chance your bird may have been exposed to a disease, you will want it done. But due to the cost of these shots, it may push your vet visit a bit high. Discuss this with your vet and get his opinion.

GROOMING

If this is your first bird, it is highly recommended that you ask your vet to take the time and show you how to groom your bird. Watch how he does it, and get suggestions. This will include trimming the birds nails, clipping wings, and filing the beak. This is not a difficult procedure for you to do at home, and it should be done on a monthly basis. There is no reason a bird owner should have to visit the vet monthly to do this. Most vets will gladly show you how it’s done.

Remember, pet birds are totally dependent on you for their care. That includes their health and medical treatment!