With the start of the New Year, now is an opportune time brush up on signs of illness in your feathered pet. So this month’s blog is titled…… RECOGNIZING ILLNESS IN YOUR BIRD…………….

Unfortunately, birds are very adept at hiding illness so detection usually goes unnoticed. Things you should look for include:

- Changes in behavior,ie.,decreased activity level or decreased vocalization

- Decreased appetite….sick birds pretend they are eating but are not….don’t be fooled

- Diarrhea or persistent  abnormal droppings (discussed in Oct.2011 Blog)

- Sitting all fluffed for extended periods

-Droopy, sleepy  eyes….not bright and alert

-Sitting on the bottom of cage…not just cruising around down there but sitting for long periods
 
- Coughing, sneezing, runny eyes and or nostrils (discussed in Dec.2011 Blog)

-Abnormal breathing or ‘tail bobbing’…

-Weight loss

-Vomiting ….not normal, hormonal regurgitation…..( discussed in Dec.2011 Blog)

-Decrease or increase in water consumption

-General weakness….

If you sense something is amiss it probably is…The best line of defense is WARMTH….Keep your bird warm and calls your Vet.

****DO NOT USE OVER THE COUNTER (OTC) MEDICATIONS …  First off, they normally aren’t effective, they mask illness ….this makes it extremely hard for the Vet to make an accurate diagnosis.