What Health Issues Can My Bird Have?

Do you have a Budgerigar (Budgie)?

Do you have a Cockatiel?

Do you have a Canary?

Do you have a Finch?

Do you have a Conure?

Do you have a Lovebird?

Do you have an African Gray Parrot?

Do you have an Amazon Parrot?

Do you have a Macaw?

Budgies commonly develop cancerous tumors in their kidneys and reproductive organs. Hypothyroidism also can occur in budgies, especially when they are on all-seed diets. All-seed, high-fat diets also cause obesity and fatty liver disease in these birds. Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) often results in death. Another commonly seen condition, especially when they are in close contact with other budgies in pet stores, is psittacosis. Reproductive problems like egg binding are very common in pet budgerigars.

Cockatiels are commonly afflicted with respiratory disease psittacosis, caused by the bacteria - Chlamydophila psittaci. Another organism that commonly affects cockatiels is the internal parasite - Giardia. Gastrointestinal yeast infection with Candida organisms is also commonly seen in cockatiels. Birds on all-seed diets often become obese and develop the fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) which can lead to death. Reproductive problems that include egg binding, soft-shelled to shell-less eggs, oviduct prolapse, and reproductive tumors are often seen in these birds.

Feather cysts frequently occur in canaries. Cataracts also are not uncommon. An unusual form of knemidokoptic mange called tassel-foot occurs frequently in these birds. Air sac mites that infect the trachea (windpipe) and air sacs commonly contribute to respiratory disease in canaries. Poxvirus causes crusty lesions on the unfeathered skin in canaries. As with other small birds, reproductive problems, such as egg binding, are seen.

Finches often have air sac mites, leading to severe respiratory disease. When stressed from overcrowding, finches will often pick feathers off each other, especially around their heads and faces. These small birds will often develop egg binding, which can rapidly result in death if not treated early.

A strange bleeding syndrome of unknown cause has been reported to occur in conures. When they are injured or when they have blood drawn, they bleed excessively. Feather-picking is seen with some frequency in pet conures when they are stressed or overcrowded. Nanday and Patagonian conures may carry a herpes virus without showing any clinical signs. This herpes virus causes an illness called Pacheco’s disease in other bird species.

Lovebirds may be affected with psittacosis that typically causes respiratory signs, weakness, liver problems, and death. Lovebirds also commonly develop gastrointestinal tract yeast infections (candidiasis) caused by the yeast Candida. Various infectious causes of feather loss. Epilepsy is occasionally seen in lovebirds. Reproductive problems, like egg binding, are seen frequently in lovebirds.

African Gray Parrots frequently develop psychologically-based causes of feather-picking as a result of boredom or loneliness. A potentially fatal syndrome occurs in African grays on all-seed diets in which they develop low blood calcium levels resulting in seizures. Aspergillosis, a potentially fatal fungal infection, is often seen. Cancer is seen with some frequency in this species, as they are long-lived. Beak and feather disease virus may occur in young African grays.

Amazons are commonly afflicted with upper respiratory diseases. Older parrots may be affected by cloacal papillomas (warts). Amazons may feather-pick, especially their wings and legs, as a result of psychological stress and sexual frustration. A syndrome of unknown cause, called Amazon foot necrosis syndrome, occurs occasionally. Some Amazon parrots develop epilepsy. Like most birds on high-fat, all-seed diets, Amazons commonly develop obesity, fatty liver disease, cholesterol deposits in arteries, stroke, and heart disease.

Macaws were the first species to develop an ultimately fatal disease, proventricular dilatation syndrome. Psittacosis (infection with the bacteria, Chlamydia psittaci) also occurs in macaws, causing respiratory signs and liver disease. Oral and cloacal papillomatosis (warts) also occurs more frequently in older macaws. Psychologically-based feather-picking often occurs in birds that are tightly bonded to their owners.

Cockatoos, like other large birds, often develop psychologically-based feather-picking. However, other problems, like infection of the skin with bacteria and yeast, may also cause feather loss. Cloacal prolapse, seen most often in sexually mature males, occurs frequently in cockatoos. Lipomas (benign fatty tumors) are commonly seen in rose-breasted cockato