Ramdai Bachoo on Common Bird Ailments

Ramdai Bachoo, practicing exotic animal veterinarian, knows how much pet owners love their domesticated birds. It is for this reason that Ramdai Bachoo believes it is enormously important to ensure that everyone’s pet caged birds are kept as healthy as possible. If pet owners notice any issues such as discharge from eyes or nostrils, fluffed feathers, drooping wings, breathing open mouthed or visible lumps or masses, among others, then Ramdai Bachoo advises that the bird be brought in to see a vet as soon as absolutely possible.

One common issue that affects birds is that of parasites, says Ramdai Bachoo. These pesky problems can affect any animal, but when it comes to birds, Ramdai Bachoo recommends keeping a special eye out. For example, pet birds affected by parasites often experience issues such as scaly face mites, which cause dry lesions and can also cause problems with the bird’s plumage, says Ramdai Bachoo.

If you have a female bird and suspect that she might be producing offspring, then it is important to know all of the signs and symptoms of egg binding, says Ramdai Bachoo. This condition, which is specific to female birds of breeding age, means that these animals have trouble passing their eggs, and can cause severe problems – even death.

Birds under stress will often pluck their feathers, says Ramdai Bachoo. Stress can also be a huge cause of fearful behavior in birds that are usually fine when handled. Loss of appetite can also be a sign that your bird is under stress, though Ramdai Bachoo notes that one of the most obvious ways to figure out whether your bird is experiencing this condition is to look for stress bars on the feathers. These are small horizontal lines that run across the shafts of their feathers, and can be seen easily on molted feathers.

Finally, psittacine beak and feather disease, or PBFD, is one of the most terrifying conditions that bird owners must be aware of. According to Ramdai Bachoo, this deadly virus affects parrots, causing abnormal growths on the beak and feathers as well as lesions. This disease is enormously infectious and can spread easily. Ramdai Bachoo notes that if you suspect your bird has PBFD, it is important to quarantine the bird immediately and contact your vet right away.

For more information on avian care, Ramdai Bachoo recommends the following articles. These sources not only talk about what some common ailments are, but offer advice for general bird care and even help pet owners figure out what to look for when you suspect your pet may be feeling under the weather.

http://birds.about.com/od/birdhealth/tp/5-Bird-Health-Issues-You-Should-Know-About.htm

http://www.birdsandmore.com/healthTips.html