Do you own a pet bird? It’s important to recognize the signs of a bird who isn’t feeling their best. This way, you can get your bird the veterinary attention they need as quickly as possible. Here, your Fox Lake, IL vet tells you about five common signs of an ill bird.
Cere Issues
Your bird’s cere is essentially their nose; it’s the area above your bird’s beak where the nostrils are located. If you see discharge or pus coming from this area, or noticeable redness and inflammation, let your veterinarian know right away. These sorts of issues could indicate an infection or other internal problems, so prompt veterinary attention is of the utmost importance.
Ruffled Feathers
Ruffled feathers don’t necessarily mean your bird is ill, as birds often ruffle their feathers as part of their normal behavior. However, a bird who keeps the feathers ruffled for a long time may be feeling sick. As a general rule, a bird who has kept the feathers ruffled for longer than 24 hours should be seen by a veterinarian.
Clouded Eyes
A bird in good health will have clear, clean eyes. If you think your bird’s eyes look clouded or you see visible discharge or crusts around them, let your veterinarian know right away. Eye trouble could be a sign of infection or other internal health issues.
Changes in Waste
Your bird’s droppings can provide a good insight into your feathered friend’s overall health. Try to keep track of the color and consistency of your bird’s droppings—if you notice your bird’s droppings suddenly becoming extra runny or firm, or if you see abnormal colors, it’s time to notify your vet. While a bird’s dropping color can change somewhat depending on what they eat, colors that seem out of the ordinary are cause for concern.
Loss of Appetite
Always keep the bottom of your bird’s cage clean so you can keep track of food consumption; every bird will drop some food onto the bottom of the cage while eating, so if you notice an absence of food there, something might be wrong. Birds must keep eating regularly to maintain good health, so loss of appetite requires a veterinarian’s attention. Various problems, including infection, intestinal blockage, or systemic disease, could be to blame.
If you think something is amiss regarding your bird’s health or well-being, don’t hesitate to contact your Fox Lake, IL veterinarian’s office.