Common Illnesses.
| Common illnesses |
| Mites Mites should be treated by your avian veterinarian. Left untreated, the beak may distort. Death from starvation is possible. French Molt Birds that never seem to grow flight or tail feathers, might have "French Moult", which can infect many other species of birds. If French moult is suspected, isolate the effected bird(s) and consult a veterinarian Egg binding If you suspect the hen is trying to lay an egg and you see her on the bottom of the cage in obvious distress or exhaustion, she probably has egg binding. The bird may die within a few hours without help. The best course of action is to see a vet. Egg binding can be caused by a lack of calcium, so ensure that a mineral grit and cuttlebone is available at all times. Vitamins are needed for calcium to be utilised by the bird's system, so be sure that all aspects of nutrition are correct. Bleeding feathers Developing feathers are called "blood feathers" because of the rich blood supply within the shaft. When one of these feathers is broken, it may continue to bleed until it is removed.If the bird is bleeding then your first priority is stopping the bleeding.For removal, parting the surrounding feathers identifies the base of the damaged feather. Grasp the base firmly with tweezers, and pull the feather from its follicle by gently applying pressure on the structure around the feather base. If bleeding continues apply pressure to the area. Wash any blood away with hydrogen peroxide, apply cornstarch or flour to the bleeding area and place the bird in a dark area until it can be seen by a vet. Fatty liver disease The major problem with obesity is Fatty Liver Disease. The high levels of fat in the diet cause fat deposition in the liver, eventually replacing most of the normal liver tissue. Initially, this is seen as an overgrown beak and nails, poor feathering, poor reproductive performance and reduced exercise tolerance. As the condition progresses, the liver begins to fail and the bird becomes ill. It starts to lose weight (a very bad sign), and bleeds easily (the liver produces the chemicals that allow blood to clot). How do you prevent or treat obesity? The answer is simple - increase exercise and reduce fat in the diet. |
bravenet.com