written by: Jennifer Prince, DVM
Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.
In the ideal world, you would start with a healthy bird and then maintain its environment and diet in such a way as to keep it healthy. In the real world, it does not always work that way. By familiarizing oneself with what is normal, one can determine what is abnormal. The owner is in the best position to determine that the bird is not right. You may not know what is wrong (that is what your veterinarian spent years at school learning), but you know something is wrong. Some basic information will give you a starting point for determining when your pet bird needs to see the veterinarian. If you have any doubt about your bird's health, consult with your veterinarian who can help diagnose and treat the problem.
Birds can hide illness for a long time. In the wild, they would become someone's lunch if they showed signs of weakness or illness. In our homes, birds still hide their illness. One of the easiest ways to monitor the bird's health is to weigh the bird on a monthly basis. If the bird is losing weight and you do not have it on a diet, it is probably ill. Some of the most common injuries or illnesses are listed below with at-home care instructions, which buy time to get the bird to the veterinarian.
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