Having a parrot means that like any other animal, you must take care of it. And, over weeks, months or years, it can catch a disease. It could be something minor, such as a minor cold, or something more serious that is giving your sick parrot a very difficult time.
So for a guide to help you learn more about what to do if you have a sick parrot, below we’re going to talk to you about the organs that could indicate they’re not feeling well, as well as the symptoms they can cause. About those who warn you that they are ill. Thus, you will know how to act.
How do I know I have a sick parrot
One of the problems with parrots, as well as other birds and animals, is that sometimes they don’t give a warning when they’re sick, but it’s only when the disease is too advanced that you realize it. And this happens to many.
Therefore, it is necessary to observe it often, in order to see if his behavior is normal or if there is something that he did not do. And what could it be? For example:
- That your parrot is sitting or lying on the ground all day, and does not move even if you approach the cage.
- That his eyes are closed and he is lethargic.
- Frilled plumage.
- Don’t eat or drink. This is very serious because these birds eat and drink a lot and being listless in this sense can indicate that you have a sick parrot.
Usually, when there is a slight problem, they take care of fixing themselves, because they are very strong birds and they do not have any problem with diseases. But sometimes exotics need extra help from a vet to help them defeat disease.
And how do I know he is sick? Here we give you the keys:
- How is your parrot behaving? Is this what you always do? Or do you think something is wrong with him? If you watch your parrot every day, you’ll know when he’s sick because he won’t be behaving like he always does.
- If you spend the whole day sleeping, closing your eyes, and sitting or sleeping (or inside your house), that’s not normal, and it means something is wrong.
- How does your bird breathe? Sometimes, seeing that it opens its beak to look like it is having trouble breathing is a sign that something is not right.
- Inspect the ground. Yes, land! You need to know if he pees and if he poops, and how he does it. Sometimes, some diseases can “show their face” through this means, for example, urinating blood, or defecating with it.
- Have you noticed that you tend to put food in later? In general you should know that every x days you have to put food on it. Every parrot is different, and this will depend on many factors such as the size of the food bowl. But, if you notice that they still have food when that day arrives, you may begin to suspect that something is wrong.
Parts You Can See That You Have a Sick Parakeet
Here we are going to tell you a small ‘trick’ of experts. And it is that your veterinarian knows that certain areas of parrots are “tips”, and they warn when they are sick. Do you want to know what they are?
sick parrot’s beak
When you have a sick parakeet, there are many diseases that can affect it. Some attack directly on the beak, this is a clear sign of trouble. And what do you care about? Well the following:
- That the beak is normal, that is, it does not have distortions, blisters, lumps etc.
- Look at the color of the beak, is it the same as always or has it changed?
- Has it gotten weird? Is it broken? Is it not smooth, but cracked, rough, or does it hurt?
- does it set you apart?
parrot eyes
Parrots’ eyes should be clear and bright, so when you see them swollen and red, or even watery, this may indicate that there is an eye problem and should be taken care of by the animal. It is necessary to take to the doctor.
Ear
Yes, they do have ears, although in most cases you can’t see them with the naked eye. When a sick parrot has ear problems, you’ll know because they swell and the animal turns its head to the side of the pain.
plumage of a sick parrot
When a parrot is healthy, its plumage is shiny, silky, clean and well-groomed. The problem is that if you notice that the feathers are dull, falling out or breaking, and wrinkled, this may indicate that it has a scabies infestation. If, in addition, the feather boxes are too deep, there may be diseases of the plumage, as well as a parasitic infection.
In this case, you need to see if any “critters” are working for the feathers of the animal. But they can also be inside. Just because you can’t see something with the naked eye doesn’t mean they aren’t there. So the best thing to do is take him to a vet who has the equipment to detect them.
sick parrot crop
Parrots can also have “tummy” problems. First you will see them in their crop. If it appears white or frothy in content, it means you are having trouble digesting, or processing, food or water.
This could be due to thyroid cyst, infection in the crop (especially if it is very swollen and congested), etc.
parrot’s chest
Now we turn to the thorax of the parrot. When it is diseased, the nail crest is barely palpable, but when it is not, you will notice it, it is as if you could feel a bone and it was very weak.
Sometimes it may also happen that they have a tumor or a lump in the area, and it grows rapidly and prevents them from leading a normal life.
sewer
Yes, the cloaca is where your parrot poops. And believe it or not, it should be “healthy”. However, in a sick parrot you will notice that the plumage around it is dirty, it is very swollen and red in color, etc.
In the case of a female, if she is also with the male, it may indicate that there is a pierced or laid egg, and this is a very serious matter, because if the problem is not resolved, it can mean the death of the animal. Might be possible.
legs and feet
The feet and legs are the easiest to see in parrots and yes, they can get diseases too. For example, the fact that their nails are not cut and they grow, that they have malformed fingers, that they have bumps on their feet (especially in the area closest to their fins).