Is Your Bird Sick?
In the wild, birds are often viewed as prey by other animals. Because of this, it's very important for them to do everything that they can to ward off predators. If they get sick or injured, they have evolved to be very good at hiding the symptoms of their weakness -- and while that's a good thing for birds in the wild, it actually works to the detriment of captive pet birds. For this reason, it's important to learn how to recognize the telltale "red flags" that your bird might not be feeling well. The earlier you can identify illness and get a bird treatment, the better, because they can be quite fragile and their condition can deteriorate quickly. Read on to learn how you can gauge whether or not your bird is sick, and decide if a trip to the vet will be necessary.
The phrase "eating like a bird" is normally spoken to those who aren't eating much -- but the term couldn't be further from the truth. Birds actually eat quite a bit of food every day, because they have naturally high metabolisms and use a lot of energy to fly around, forage, and avoid predators. If you notice that your bird isn't eating as much as usual, then odds are that there could be a medical issue in play. Keeping a close eye on your bird's appetite each day will allow you to formulate a good idea of what is normal for your feathered friend.
Examining your bird's poop may not seem like much fun (and it's not!) However, it is something that bird owners need to do from time to time, just to make sure that things are going okay for their feathered friends. Get a good idea of what normal droppings look like for your bird by taking a look at them every day, and if you do notice something out of the ordinary (strange color, a scent, or a different consistency) give your bird's vet a call for a professional opinion. A change in droppings can be a sign of health problems, some of which could be quite serious.
Birds are normally fairly active creatures, but each individual bird will have a unique activity level that should be pretty easy to gauge if you interact with your bird regularly. If you notice that your bird doesn't seem to want to play or exercise much, and just wants to sit on his or her perch, it could be an indication that your feathered friend isn't feeling well. If this sort of behavior lasts longer than a day, it would be a good idea to get in touch with your bird's vet.
Take your bird out of his or her cage and notice how it looks when he or she breathes. Normal, healthy birds should have a steady, even breathing pattern, and you should not be able to hear it when your bird takes a breath. Birds have complex respiratory systems, and any respiratory distress such as labored breathing, a raspy or rattling noise, or even tail-bobbing can be a sign that your pet is very ill. Contact a vet immediately if you suspect that your bird is having a breathing issue.
Birds that aren't molting normally look pretty dapper, with clean, well groomed plumage, bright eyes, and shiny beaks. Birds who look disheveled or out of order might be experiencing health problems, so it may be a good idea to call your avian vet if you notice that your feathered friend isn't looking so good.
•Check your pet's appetite.
The phrase "eating like a bird" is normally spoken to those who aren't eating much -- but the term couldn't be further from the truth. Birds actually eat quite a bit of food every day, because they have naturally high metabolisms and use a lot of energy to fly around, forage, and avoid predators. If you notice that your bird isn't eating as much as usual, then odds are that there could be a medical issue in play. Keeping a close eye on your bird's appetite each day will allow you to formulate a good idea of what is normal for your feathered friend.
•Does the bird have normal droppings?
Examining your bird's poop may not seem like much fun (and it's not!) However, it is something that bird owners need to do from time to time, just to make sure that things are going okay for their feathered friends. Get a good idea of what normal droppings look like for your bird by taking a look at them every day, and if you do notice something out of the ordinary (strange color, a scent, or a different consistency) give your bird's vet a call for a professional opinion. A change in droppings can be a sign of health problems, some of which could be quite serious.
•Look for a normal activity level.
Birds are normally fairly active creatures, but each individual bird will have a unique activity level that should be pretty easy to gauge if you interact with your bird regularly. If you notice that your bird doesn't seem to want to play or exercise much, and just wants to sit on his or her perch, it could be an indication that your feathered friend isn't feeling well. If this sort of behavior lasts longer than a day, it would be a good idea to get in touch with your bird's vet.
•How is the bird's respiratory function?
Take your bird out of his or her cage and notice how it looks when he or she breathes. Normal, healthy birds should have a steady, even breathing pattern, and you should not be able to hear it when your bird takes a breath. Birds have complex respiratory systems, and any respiratory distress such as labored breathing, a raspy or rattling noise, or even tail-bobbing can be a sign that your pet is very ill. Contact a vet immediately if you suspect that your bird is having a breathing issue.
•Check the bird's general appearance.
Birds that aren't molting normally look pretty dapper, with clean, well groomed plumage, bright eyes, and shiny beaks. Birds who look disheveled or out of order might be experiencing health problems, so it may be a good idea to call your avian vet if you notice that your feathered friend isn't looking so good.
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