Bird First Aid
by NCS Member - Teresa Linton
from NCS Magazine - 1996
Signs of Illness
inactivity
eyes closed most of the time
feathers fluffed all of the time
"droopy" wings
low, almost horizontal, posture on the perch
talking and vocalization stops
eating stops
noisy breathing
freequent sneezing
discharge from nose
tail bobbing with each breath
perching with neck extended and beak grasping wire of cage (bird does this to keep breathing passages straight to make breathing more effortless)
vomiting
soiled or pasted vent
feathers lost and not replaced
bleeding
weight loss
swelling
changes in water consumption
changes in routine and habits
change in droppings
change in activity level
decrease in preening activity
frequent flicking of the head
remaining at bottom of cage
self mutilation
regression
dehydration (weakness, sunken eyes, feet cool, ridging of skin over sides of toes)
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