Cockatiel
Illnesses
Cockatiels are one of the most
lovable pets in the world. They are a valuable
treasure to the owner. Cockatiels, just like humans,
need a lot of attention and care. Parrots as pets
are delightful but they can become extremely moody
and temperamental. This may also depend on its
health and diet.
Good cockatiel care involves
not only regulation of diet but also of hygiene
and cleanliness. Cockatiels, like most of its
cousins in the parrot kingdom, are prone to some
typical illnesses. Unfortunately, many are fatal
and result in death even before the malady is
diagnosed. As a result, cockatiels should always
be kept under close supervision.
|
Get
Some Amazing New
Cockatiel Secrets Sent
To Your Email Inbox
Every Week...
Free
|
| |
|
A wise owner of cockatiels is
one who is aware of common cockatiel illnesses
so that he/she can at least try and help. Many
maladies are airborne and they set in even before
you realize. It is advisable to seek professional
advice whenever you suspect a crisis.
Some
of the common illnesses are:
-
Pacheco’s
Virus - It is easy to diagnose your
cockatiel if Pacheco’s Virus infects
it. The bird needs to be administered a strong
oral dose of Zovirax medication. Vaccines
are easily available for this disease, but
they can bring about tumors and carriers.
Evidence shows that parrots are likely to
die shortly after inoculation.
-
Polyomavirus
- Polyomavirus largely attacks the young ones.
This virus is again air-borne and complicated
to control. Look for clinical warning signs
like depression, delayed crop emptying, anorexia,
diarrhea, regurgitation and weight loss in
parrots.
-
Beak and Feather
Syndrome - Spread by feather dust
and dried feces, parrots infected with PBFDS
show abnormal growth of new feathers. The
new-fanged shafts look as if swollen and gnarled.
Another type of PBFDS symptom that is quite
prevalent is growth abnormality of the beak.
There is currently no known cure for this
disease.
-
Wasting Disease
- A highly contagious disease Wasting Disease
is not as fast in opening out as Pacheco’s.
Wasting Diseases are hard to reckon since
they lie dormant for years, until hosts are
on a move. Studies on parrot show Wasting
Diseases have a severe effect on nervous systems
extended to all of the major organs, triggering
seizures, paralysis, and tremors, and also
heart attacks. There is no known medication
available for Wasting Disease, but changing
the food patterns of the parrots by including
easily digestible diet supplements may prolong
the life of a victim.
-
Papilloma
- Appearing primarily in the throat or vent
areas, papilloma is caused by a virus infection
similar to warts. It grows large enough to
block the vent, making it difficult or even
impossible for the host to defecate. Parrots
diagnosed of Papilloma can be cured after
successful laser surgery.
-
Psittacosis
- Psittacosis is another most dreaded bacterial
infection that commonly occurs in the cockatiels
and is transmitted via feather dust and dried
feces.
-
E-coli
- This bacterium is not so lethal if it is
acknowledged and treated at initial stages.
In fact, when cockatiels are diagnosed of
having Ecoli their droppings usually have
the appearance of diarrhea, giving out strong
odor.
-
Gout -
Calcification of the kidneys among the parrots
is common especially among the babies who
are aged 4-8 weeks. In such cases, victims
rarely survive. Initially they show regurgitating
and slight dehydration after feedings. In
addition, babies who appear slightly smaller
than their regular sizes, with protruding
neck bone have the largest possibility of
incurring Gout.
-
Runny Nose or Nasal
Discharge - The most common of all
nasal discharge is laxity of Vitamin-A in
cockatiels. This deficiency can be corrected
by increasing the food quantities that are
rich in vitamins and mineral contents especially.
Author
: Medha Roy
Date Posted : 08 - Feb - 2005
Website : https://www.pet-parrots.com
|
|
