Bird Health:

When you own a pet, it becomes your responsibility to take care of the pet and make sure that the pet leads a healthy and comfortable life.



However, pets are as susceptible to developing health problems just like their owners, because of which it is important to be aware of the diseases that your pet may suffer from. Those who own birds should know about the specific pet bird health issues that they may face. It is important to have a knowledge of these pressing issues because this way, you can be prepared to handle bird health problems that you face along the course of your pet bird’s life. Here are some of the commonly found diseases amongst pets.

• Psittacosis: Psittacosis is also commonly known as ‘parrot fever’.
  
  
  
  This is a form of an infection by the bacteria known as Chlamydia. Birds who have a hooked bill are especially prone to this infection. The symptoms of this infection are inflammation of the eyes and constant weeping, difficulty in breathing, lethargy and malaise and watery droppings. This is a highly infectious disease and can also be transferred to humans.
  
  
  
  
  
• Candida: This is an infection that can affect any bird. The bird’s digestive system contains yeast which helps in the digestion of food. However, in certain circumstances, when the yeast begins to over grow, it can harm the digestive system. The bird may suffer a loss of appetite, vomiting and feeling of nausea. There may also be an outbreak of lesions around the throat and mouth. 
  
• Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD): This is one of the most mysterious diseases in birds. It is highly contagious and can spread from bird to bird. However, the modes of transmission have not yet been identified. There is a visible change in the droppings of the bird when the bird is suffering from this disease. There may also be weight loss and vomiting. The crop of the bird seems to get swollen up. This disease is especially prevalent in hook billed birds and therefore is also known as the Parrot or Macaw wasting syndrome.
• Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD): This is a disease which is specific to the parrot family. This disease affects the feathers, causing severe loss. There may be abnormalities in the feathers and the beak. There may also be formation of abnormal growths and lesions on the body of the bird.
  
• Polyomavirus: This is another serious disorder which causes abnormal development of the feathers used in flight. The tail feathers get affected in this disorder. This disease could lead to a loss of appetite, diarrhea, paralysis and an enlarged abdomen. Some birds do not appear symptomatic but are still carriers of the virus.