What to do if your pet parrot gets sick. How to cure a parrot - useful tips for bird owners. What healthy budgies look like

The budgie is one of the most popular pets. This is an active, cheerful bird that loves communication, and when good conditions living environment and being able to speak can bring you a lot of positive emotions. Life expectancy can reach up to 15–16 years. But, whatever one may say, you will have to face such an unpleasant thing as illness and illness. Of course, first of all, the health of the bird depends on painstaking care for it and maintaining the correct diet.

You should strictly monitor the hygiene of the cage, the presence of clean water in the drinking bowl, feed high-quality food enriched with vitamins, do not keep the cage in the open sun, near heating devices, in drafts, try to protect the parrot from nervous shock and stress.

However, even if all maintenance standards are observed, the pet can get sick, despite its strong natural immunity. To stop the disease in time, you need to know how to identify it. A healthy bird can be easily distinguished from a sick one. You just need to be attentive and take a closer look at her behavior and appearance more often. A photo of a sick budgie can be viewed in the gallery.

Symptoms of disease in parrots

When a bird is healthy, it has good mood, she is sociable, has a good appetite, her plumage is bright and shiny.

What should alert the owner:

It is extremely important to notice the symptoms of the problem in its initial stage.

What diseases occur in budgies?

Three types of diseases can be distinguished:

Let's look at each type, its symptoms and treatment methods in more detail.

A bird can get sick by eating contaminated food, pecking at branches brought from the street, and can also become infected from other sick relatives. When starting treatment with medications, be sure to simultaneously treat the place where the parrot is kept: the cage itself and the interior decoration.

Infectious diseases

These diseases, caused by microbes, are the most difficult to treat. The disease can be prevented by strict adherence to hygiene standards when keeping a parrot, good nutrition with vitamin supplements in food.

psittacosis(psittacosis) is a disease caused by chlamydophila. Having contracted this disease, the bird becomes apathetic, loses its appetite, and has difficulty breathing. She has swelling of the eyes, sticking of the eyelids, severe runny nose, and discharge from the anus. Tetracycline antibiotics are used for treatment.
mycoplasmosis. This disease is characterized by wet feathers around the bird's eyes, pale beak color, loss of appetite, sneezing, and shortness of breath. In principle, half of the parrots are carriers of this infection and in normal condition it does not pose a threat. However, when the disease enters the active phase, and this usually occurs due to decreased immunity, urgent treatment is required. It is carried out using the drug Baytrill added to water or by injection.
giardiasis. Having fallen ill, the parrot stops cleaning its feathers; they quickly take on a dirty appearance. Incompletely digested grains are found in the droppings. Diarrhea appears. The bird is losing weight. In this case, veterinarians usually prescribe Emtryl.
kidney infection. Signs of this disease are weight loss, paralysis of the limbs, and a swollen belly of the parrot. Treatment can be carried out with ciprofloxacin for 10 days. A quarter of the tablet is diluted in 4 ml of water. The solution is injected into the beak 2 times a day, 2 drops (0.08 ml).
salmonellosis. It is diagnosed by swollen joints of the wings and legs and constant diarrhea. For treatment, a solution of chloramphenicol is given. Important! This disease is transmitted to humans.
tuberculosis. When infected, the bird loses weight and begins to yawn and cough frequently. Tuberculosis in budgies cannot be cured.

Diseases arising from improper keeping of a parrot

Parrots should be given more greens, fruits, sprouted grains, and branches of deciduous trees. Add 5 drops of fish oil. Staying outdoors in the sun is also recommended.

In order to avoid various types injuries, it is necessary to monitor the safety of the parrot’s residence. Try to feed him correctly in order to avoid constipation and obesity, and protect him from stress and boredom. If you provide the bird with proper maintenance and care, it will not get sick.

In conclusion, I would like to say that any change in the bird’s behavior serves as a signal for an immediate visit to the veterinary clinic, since only after laboratory tests can a specialist correctly diagnose the disease and prescribe the correct treatment for your pet.

Delay in this case is fraught with death, since diseases in parrots develop rapidly due to their fast metabolism and in critical cases lead to their death. This is why speed of response is important. You are entrusted with the life of a living being. Try to justify this trust.

Budgerigars are very beautiful birds. Therefore, they began to be kept at home in special cages. In a cage, these birds live much longer than in the wild. It is associated with care and comfort. The bird does not need to look for food for itself; the owner himself will definitely feed it, give it something to drink, give it the necessary vitamins, and clean the cage.

But there are times when parrots start to get sick. Let's find out what is the cause of the disease in these birds, what diseases of parrots exist and what needs to be done to cure them.

How to distinguish a healthy parrot from a sick one

If you properly care for your parrot, then no disease can overcome it. How can you tell if a bird is sick?

Symptoms of a healthy bird

Symptoms of a sick parrot

When a parrot starts to get sick, it develops the following symptoms:

He refuses food;
The bird is quickly losing weight;
Appearance becomes unkempt;
Breathing is heavy;
The bird is not interested in anything;
Mucus began to come out of the beak;
The bird began to drink a lot;
The tail became drooping;
Growths appeared on the beak and paws;
The parrot moves little and makes plaintive sounds.

If your parrot has at least one of the listed signs, then this indicates that he is sick. Necessary start treatment urgently so that he doesn't get worse.

Causes of the disease

Some bird diseases are very dangerous to human health. Therefore, let's understand this issue a little.

What are the causes of these diseases?

Improper and poor quality nutrition;
Poor bird care;
Cold room.

How to treat a sick parrot

What to do if your budgies get sick:

How to properly care for a sick bird.

If you have several parrots living with you and one of them gets sick, then they should not be together. A sick parrot must be placed in a separate cage. Place white paper on the bottom of the cage. This is necessary so that you can monitor the bird's droppings.

A sick parrot should be fed only millet and oats. Greens and porridge should be excluded from the diet. In addition to water, he can be given a chamomile decoction or weak tea.

sick bird need to provide warmth. Place a lamp near his cage. If treatment is started on time, your budgie will recover within three or four days.

As soon as you notice that the bird has recovered, it must be bathed and dried. Wash and disinfect the cage too.

How to identify disease by droppings

Normal bird droppings should be brown with a green tint and white spots.

If yours is wavy the parrot got an infection, then his droppings will change.

What kind of litter can there be and what disease does it mean, symptoms and treatment.

During this period, the budgie must be given vitamins containing calcium.

Now you know all the diseases of parrots, and you have also learned what needs to be done to cure them.

It's sad when disease comes to our pets. However, this happens even to the most caring owners. Therefore, it is very important that in such a situation the pet owner does not get confused, but pulls himself together and acts clearly and quickly. Since, in particular, in parrots, and in other animals, many diseases occur very quickly (for example, this is how it happens), and if you miss the moment, you may lose the chance for your pet to recover.

Well, our publication today, in which we will tell you how to treat a parrot, where to start, will definitely be useful to you...

How to find out if a parrot is sick

It is very important to notice in time that your parrot is sick. This will allow you to start treatment for your feathered pet in a timely manner, and will significantly increase its chances of recovery. Therefore, we have especially for you compiled a list of symptoms of problems that indicate that your parrot is sick. This…

Sudden changes in the behavior of the bird.
Refusal of food and water or, conversely, increased thirst.
Anxious or apathetic behavior.
Weight loss.
Lameness.
Sneezing and discharge from the nose and eyes.
Deterioration of the plumage and its condition.
Redness of the eyes.
Change in consistency of droppings.

You shouldn’t wait until your bird shows all the symptoms from the list above. This may not happen. Having noticed at least one of them, you should already pay attention to the state of health of the parrot and show the bird to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Choosing a veterinarian for a parrot

Find a good veterinarian for your bird

Ah, this is where the fun begins. As experience shows, there are not so many specialists who would treat parrots. Most of the veterinarians in our clinics are generalists, and we in no way want to demean their professionalism, however, treating cats and dogs is slightly different from treating parrots. That's why, if you are interested in the health of your bird, immediately after purchasing it you should look for a specialist who will treat it and advise you. So to speak for the future. Then, if you find yourself in an emergency situation, you will not waste time looking for a good specialist, but you will immediately know who to contact. It is very important. At the same time, it’s good if you find not just one specialist, but several - this way you will insure yourself against any unforeseen situations and force majeure. It wouldn’t hurt to look for contacts of specialists from other cities - Email, phone number, Skype number. With the power of the Internet, this is not so difficult. Each such contact extra chance for the recovery of your feathered friend.

First aid kit for a parrot

Sometimes, a bird needs first aid. And, the further fate of the feathered pet may depend on your efficiency, as well as on whether you have all the necessary means to provide such first aid at hand. Therefore, we would recommend that on the same day that you bring your parrot home - no matter which one, big bird(read more about keeping such birds) or a budgerigar, take care to collect first aid kit for parrot. All these products should be in one place and periodically you should check their expiration date.

Such a first aid kit must contain antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, tweezers, cotton wool, hydrogen peroxide, Activated carbon, elastic bandage, scissors, a small towel (for fixing the bird), a universal salt applicator or heating pad, a teaspoon... Also, the first aid kit should have a notebook with phone numbers and contacts of your veterinarians, addresses and contacts of the nearest veterinary clinics. It won’t hurt to put in your first aid kit an ordinary ballpoint pen and paper on which you can write the veterinarian’s orders if you contact him by phone.

Even in the event of an emergency, when your bird is injured (read more about) or urgently needs your help, you can quickly react and provide first aid. However, as you noticed, there are no medications in the first aid kit - this is true, since their list depends on the bird’s illness and the doctor’s prescriptions. And we would not recommend you to self-medicate your parrot.

As a rule, a parrot that feels great has an excellent appetite, it is cheerful, active and always busy with something. And if the bird does not want to eat, moves little and increasingly sits on a perch with its eyes closed, while twitching its tail, it means that something has gone wrong and the pet feels unwell. Well, the most glaring signs of an approaching malaise are loss of voice, the desire to hide the head in the plumage, diarrhea, etc.

Of course, at the first sign of discomfort, it is best to immediately contact a veterinarian. But if this is not possible, and the symptoms of illness are mild, you can try to correct the situation yourself.

Often, parrot owners are faced with the fact that their pets begin to actively pluck their feathers. Of course, this process looks extremely suspicious, but this is not a symptom of some disease - this is how the most banal boredom is expressed. Buying a second parrot or special toys will help solve the problem.

If you notice that the parrot began to behave sluggishly, it's time to think about whether you are feeding him correctly. In birds living at home, due to poor nutrition, there is often a lack of vitamins, which, of course, negatively affects general condition. Severe vitamin deficiency is indicated by the parrot's trembling, inflamed, swollen eyelids, slow growth of the bird, and even convulsions. If, having noticed such signs, you do not compensate for the lack of vitamins in your pet’s body, it may die.

Fight vitamin deficiency special vitamin preparations added to the food help, as well as a diet enriched with sprouted grains, fresh herbs, fruits, berries and vegetables suitable for parrots. Never feed your bird the wrong food!

Sunbathing will also help replenish the lack of vitamins. IN summer time expose the cage to the sun for about half an hour to an hour.

In general, light and heat within reasonable limits are very beneficial for a sick bird. If signs of illness occur, it is often recommended to install a lamp with a power of up to 40 watts over the cage. and leave it running around the clock. The parrot will choose a comfortable place under the lamp itself.

In terms of drink and food, weakly brewed tea, chamomile decoction, millet, oatmeal, etc. will be useful for a lethargic bird.

If a bird has diarrhea, activated charcoal, boiled water with the addition of rice water, and branches of fruit trees with bark will help save the situation. Remember, diarrhea in parrots is a very dangerous symptom. If it is not treated in time, the parrot will die. Therefore, if the situation does not improve after a few days, you MUST contact a veterinary clinic.

By the way, diarrhea is often caused by poor quality food and water; be careful when feeding your pet!

When the disease subsides and the parrot is healthy, be sure to rinse the cage in boiling water to disinfect it.

Never forget that preventing a disease is much easier than managing it, so take care of your pet and closely monitor its behavior!

If your pet nevertheless begins to pull out feathers and, saving him from boredom, you decide to buy a second parrot, do not forget that the new parrot will need to be placed in a separate cage (and preferably in a separate room) for at least two weeks, this is a quarantine period. which must be endured.

Good luck and health to you!

Budgerigars can often be found in houses and apartments. Many people believe that they are unpretentious birds that do not require special care. But still, their well-being and good health depend on providing the necessary living conditions. Do not forget that there are different diseases budgies, which can cause serious harm to the health of the pet, and some of them can lead to the death of the feathered pet. To avoid fatal diseases, it is worth studying their types and treatment features.

Budgerigars are strong birds that easily adapt to the conditions of a home or apartment. If you take proper care of him and provide him with everything the necessary conditions for normal living, he can live 13-16 years. His state of health can be easily determined by his appearance.

Healthy birds look clean and tidy. They have an expressive look that is full of joy and interest in everything. They normally perceive external stimuli, make ringing sounds, chirp, and do not forget to clean their feathers and wash themselves.

But it is still worth remembering about the diseases of budgies and their symptoms. They can overtake every bird. It is enough not to remove the cage on time, not to close the window or not to change the food, and after a while the condition of the feathered pet may worsen.

Every owner of budgerigars should be wary of the following manifestations:

The parrot suddenly becomes inactive and depressed;
The pet is very thirsty;
Difficulty and severe breathing;
Formation of growths on the surface of the beak and paws;
Movement coordination disorder;
Vomiting and liquid droppings;
The parrot sits at the bottom of the cage for a long time;
Deterioration of plumage;
There may be discharge from the eyes and beak.

If the parrot does not fly, is disheveled, unkempt, and does not show interest in others, then the owner should be wary. He probably has a dangerous disease that can cause serious complications.

Common diseases

If your parrot suddenly gets sick, you should be wary. Some diseases can go away on their own, but most can become severe and cause complications. Therefore, the owner must have an idea of what diseases can occur in birds and how to treat budgies.

Cold

It is important to remember that budgies have increased sensitivity to sudden changes in temperature, so even a draft can cause the development of a cold. For this reason, carefully monitor the vents and windows; they must be closed.

How can you determine that a parrot is sick? It's worth a closer look appearance, he will look unhealthy and inactive. The bird may sit in one place for a long time, and mucus may be released from its eyes and nose.

If your budgie has a cold, it will exhibit the following symptoms:

Lethargy;
Apathy;
He may sneeze;
Poor appetite;
He sleeps constantly;
The plumage becomes ruffled.

Before starting treatment, the bird must be taken to see a veterinarian. The specialist will conduct the necessary examination and determine the presence of a cold. Based on the data obtained, he will be able to select the appropriate treatment therapy.

At home, you can warm up your feathered pet using a lamp. Additionally, you can perform inhalations using tea tree oil. To improve the condition and speed up recovery, you can add chamomile decoction to the drinking bowl.

Ticks

When they appear, the bird begins to constantly itch. She experiences severe itching, which bothers her and causes discomfort. When these manifestations appear, it is worth moving the plumage apart; ticks can be found between the feathers. They can also be observed on the paws, near the eyes and beak.

It is important to remember that mites cause serious harm to the health of birds; they can cause the formation of growths on the surface of the paws or beak. Vaseline or vegetable oil works well; it will block the air and the pests will not be able to breathe, as a result they will die. For treatments, you can use aversectin or novertin ointment.

Goiter inflammation

Every owner of feathered pets should remember that many diseases of budgies can occur without any symptoms, so they can be ignored. Goiter inflammation is one of them. This pathological process cannot be detected at the initial stage, so it often develops into a complicated form.

The following factors may cause:

Various toxic substances that birds can inhale;
Consumption of low quality feed mixtures;
Deficiency of useful elements;
Using dirty water;
Various complications after infectious diseases.

It is important to first study the symptoms and treatment features of budgerigar disease. Usually, when the goiter is inflamed, the bird does not eat food, it is lethargic, and practically does not drink. Over time, she begins to vomit, which may contain mucus.

Poisoning

Poisoning is a common ailment of birds. They can occur when consuming low-quality feed mixtures and unpurified water. These diseases in budgies can occur due to improper nutrition.

How can you tell if your parrot is sick? The main symptoms of poisoning include:

The appearance of liquid droppings;
Severe lethargy;
Frequent vomiting;
Poor appetite;
Drowsiness.

In case of poisoning, the parrot should be given an absorbent. Smecta and Polysorb have a good effect. They are infused into the bird using a syringe. Dairy-free cereals are suitable for feeding. Additionally, it is worth warming your pet; a table lamp is suitable for this.

Paw injuries

Diseases of parrots can be associated with paws, namely with injuries to the limbs. They may experience dislocations, fractures, bruises, and sprains.

If a sick parrot experiences a deterioration in its condition, it is definitely worth taking it to see a veterinarian. He needs to be taken to a specialist urgently if the damaged paw is immobilized, red and swollen. In the hospital, perform the necessary examination, take an x-ray and select the appropriate treatment.

Vomiting, diarrhea and constipation

The occurrence of vomiting, diarrhea or constipation often occurs in a budgerigar with a poisonous disease. When poisoned, the bird begins to burp frequently after eating food. This may result from the following:

Many infections in budgies are accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. All this quickly leads to dehydration of the bird and subsequent death. In these cases, you should immediately contact a veterinarian; he will be able to save your feathered pet and prescribe effective treatment.

Lipoma

A lipoma is a tumor formation on the abdomen of a bird. It is located in the lower part of the abdomen, but can sometimes occur on other parts of the body. The tumor is benign. You may feel a ball moving under your skin.

If a budgie gets sick with this pathological process, then many owners may have a question - what to do in this situation? How can I help him? You can’t do anything on your own, otherwise you could harm your pet. It is important to visit a veterinarian immediately.

Treatment of this disease in budgies is accompanied by a special diet that is aimed at reducing weight. Lipoma is caused by obesity. The menu should include more cereals, vegetables and herbs. Also, periodically, the pet should be allowed out of the cage to fly.

Inflammation of the cloaca

When studying what ailments parrots have, it is worth paying attention to inflammation of the cloaca. This disease develops as a result of poor nutrition, lack of vitamins, and also when the bird eats difficult-to-digest food. Inflammation can develop due to poor quality cleaning of the feathered pet’s cage.

The following symptoms of the disease are observed in a budgerigar:

Diarrhea;
Gluing and clumping of feathers around the cloaca;
Inflammation of the skin near the cloaca, signs of swelling;
Significant weight loss;
Lack of appetite;
Decreased activity;
The appearance of blood and mucous discharge.

If symptoms occur, you should contact an ornithologist. Only a doctor can conduct a quality examination and prescribe the necessary examination.

Causes of diseases

Everyone knows that budgies are unpretentious birds that are suitable for keeping at home, but you still need to know their main diseases and methods of treatment. Many of them are dangerous and can be fatal. And in order to avoid them, it is necessary to study the main factors that provoke them:

Incorrect content;
Lack of hygiene;
Non-compliance with feeding regimen;
Improper cage cleaning;
Use of low-quality feed;
Vitamin deficiency;
Drafts and dampness;
Hypothermia, sudden changes in temperature.

Important! If you have identified the first signs of illness in a budgerigar, then you should separate it from other birds, otherwise it can infect them. You also need to contact a veterinarian or ornithologist.

How to cure a parrot

If your pet develops a disease, a specialist can tell you how to properly treat the parrot. First, he will conduct the necessary examination, and after that he will be able to select the correct and effective treatment therapy. He will tell you what to do if your parrot gets sick.

Veterinary clinics

Treatment of parrots in a clinic is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Usually he prescribes drugs and antibiotics that can suppress the development and eliminate the disease. Types of medications depend on the disease:

Many owners of feathered pets are often interested in how and how to treat a parrot at home? Treatment can be carried out at home only in cases where the disease has just begun and is not serious. But in case of complications, it is better to consult a doctor.

Measures you can take at home:

Improve nutrition;
Ensure regular cleaning of the cage;
Vitamins should be included in the diet;
Carefully monitor poultry hygiene;
From time to time, the parrot should be released from the cage so that it can fly.

If your pet has a cold, it is recommended to warm it up over a table lamp. He also needs to be given chamomile decoctions, teas with lemon and honey. Inhalations based on eucalyptus and menthol have a good effect. If the bird has wounds or ulcers, they can be treated with iodine or brilliant green. Potent drugs should be given under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Diseases dangerous to humans

When studying the issues of what budgerigars suffer from and how to treat them, it is also worth paying attention to diseases that can be dangerous to humans. You should not think that all diseases cannot be transmitted to people, this is not true. For this reason, ornithologists do not recommend keeping parrots for people who have allergic reactions or various chronic diseases.

So, you can become infected from a budgie if the bird has the following pathologies:

Salmonellosis. This is an intestinal infection that occurs as a result of poor quality and insufficient nutrition of the parrot. Accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, decreased appetite, deterioration of plumage;
Chlamydia. This is a dangerous disease that is quickly transmitted to humans from a sick bird. During it, the parrot experiences diarrhea, cough, discharge from the nose and eyes. A person experiences chills, headaches, discomfort in muscles and joints;
Encephalitis. This disease is transmitted from mosquitoes to parrots and then to humans. During it, dysentery, pain in the abdominal area, fever, vomiting, and muscle spasms develop;
Tuberculosis. Occurs in parrots with a weak immune system. In humans, it is accompanied by inflammation and enlargement of the lymph nodes.

There are different diseases in budgies, but many of them are quite dangerous. It is important to know their types and characteristics of their course; this will help to detect the pathological process in a timely manner and take the necessary measures. In any case, you should immediately consult a doctor so that he can perform an examination and choose the appropriate treatment.