Birds make wonderful companion pets and many bird owners go to great lengths to ensure that their feathered friends remain healthy. Nevertheless, just as with humans, birds do become ill from time to time. Unfortunately, unlike humans, birds do not always show symptoms of illness until it is too late. Caring for a sick bird really starts with identifying the fact that the bird is sick in the first place and then taking action without delay.

It is thought that birds have a natural instinct to hide signs of illness. This instinctive behavior is understandable, as in the wild an injured or weakened bird becomes an easy target for a predator. However, this instinctive behavior often hides signs of illness from a loving owner. Getting to know your pet bird and its day to day behavior right from the beginning of your relationship, gives you a better chance of noticing when something is wrong. Pay attention to your bird’s normal eating pattern. Any deviation in this pattern could be an indication of illness, especially if it rejects favorite treats. Also a decrease in the amount of talking or singing, as well as activity, could be a sign of illness. A healthy bird tends to perch with one leg tucked under when resting, whereas a less than healthy, physically weak bird may need to perch with both feet.

If you pick up any signs that are a cause for concern, the first step in caring for a sick bird is to ensure that it is kept warm. This can be done by means of a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, or by means of a grow light, which must be positioned in such a way that the bird can move away if the heat is too intense. The additional warmth and security provided by a hospital cage (a glass aquarium is ideal) may be necessary if your bird is too ill to perch. The bottom of the hospital cage should be lined with something non-slip, such as newspapers covered in paper towels. Also provide a free-standing perch and shallow containers of food and water. Make sure that your bird’s environment is kept quiet in order for it to get plenty of rest.

Steps should be taken to ensure that your pet bird does not become dehydrated if it has stopped eating and drinking. Spoon or syringe feeding small amounts of a sports drink, which is generally well received, will provide the patient with essential electrolytes. Small amounts of formula can be mixed with some of the sports drink with the same results. Wrap your bird gently in a towel before putting a few drops at a time into its mouth. If your bird is still eating, a small spray of millet will likely provide it with a boost of energy.

If your bird is injured and bleeding, try to establish where the bleeding is coming from. Is it a broken feather – only new feathers will bleed – or a ripped nail? Styptic powder, or cornflour, should be applied to the injury without delay to stop the bleeding.

Bearing in mind that an illness is often only detected once it has become quite serious, if you are in any doubt with regard to the health of your pet bird, it is best to contact your avian vet without delay.

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Halitosis in your feathered companion can spoil an otherwise enjoyable relationship. Although bad breath in birds is uncommon, it could indicate underlying health issues and should not be ignored. The most likely cause of bad breath is a bacterial infection and an avian veterinarian would, through a series of tests, be able to determine the cause and prescribe treatment.

A lack of vitamin A in a bird’s diet could increase its chances of developing certain infections, including infections that are caused by yeast or bacteria, which in turn could cause halitosis. If the diet is well-balanced and other possible dietary causes, such as feeding rancid seed, have been ruled out as a possible cause of bad breath, more serious causes should be investigated, as birds with bad breath could suffer from some sort of abnormality in the respiratory tract, oropharynx or gastrointestinal tract.

Birds may become infected with bacteria that are normally found in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, known as coliform bacteria. This bacterium is recognized by its distinctive smell of human feces. If the bacterium has colonized in the mouth, crop or proventriculus of the bird, its breath will smell of feces. If the bacterium has invaded the lower gastrointestinal tract of the bird, then its droppings will have this offensive smell. One may wonder how a bird could become infected with bacteria found in a mammal’s gastrointestinal tract. Manure is often used as a fertilizer when growing fruits and vegetables, and this can be a very potent source of bacteria. If fruit and vegetables are not washed thoroughly before offering them to the bird, these bacteria may still be present and will be ingested. It goes without saying that everyone should wash their hands after using the bathroom, but it is also a good idea to wash hands before handling your pet bird.

Another organism which could be responsible for causing bad breath in a bird is Avian Gastric Yeast (AGY) which is found in the junction of the bird’s proventriculus and ventriculus, but may also be found in the gastrointentinal tract of a bird that has been affected. Other gastrointestinal problems that could affect birds include Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) and an organism called spirochete, which is still a subject of research with regard to disease processes in birds. Benign or malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, which can be detected by means of a combination of blood tests, x-rays and ultrasound, may also cause bad breath.

The bottom line is that if your pet bird has persistent bad breath, it needs to be checked out by an avian veterinarian. Once the cause of bad breath has been established and appropriate treatment given, your bird can enjoy a better quality of life and you will enjoy its company.

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