NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/rec/pets/birds/2774

Text File | 1992-11-17 | 2.5 KB | 54 lines

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From: [e-mail] (Aaron M. Moy)
Subject: RE: Bird Illness
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
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Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 08:36:32 GMT
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In response to the Susan Kennedy tiel story:

First let me express my condolences.

From the description of events, I would conclude that the cause of the illness
was unlikely a contagious disease.  Most communicable diseases cause death in
a matter of days, like Pacheco's or Psittacosis.  I tend to suspect that the
loss of blood during her maternal period is a likely cause.  Feeding baby
birds is the most stressful and exhausting part of breeding.  A four-week old
cockatiel can hold 10-15 cc of food in their crop, which is 2 to 3 times more
than an adult crop can hold.  Multiply this by 4, and you have one very
stressed out mother.

The loss of blood may have lead to the premature death.  Since Stormy was
already stressed, her body and immune system were in a weakened state.  She
may have been fighting off an infection after her blood loss.  During her
battle with the pathogens, irreversible damage may have occured to her organs.
Even though the infection was successfully fought, her internal organs may
have lost their ability to function properly.

Other possible causes include exposure to sudden climate change or egg binding.

With all due respect to your vet, is he/she an avian vet?  It seems his/her
reaction to the sick bird was "treat for Psittacosis."  Although this is a
good precaution to take, there are volumes full of other ailments which an
experienced avian vet might recognize.  Indeed, good avain vets are hard to
find, but they're invaluable to the bird owner.

In any cause of bird trauma, it is always important to provide immediate
medical attention.  For loss of blood cases, I would remove the bird from his
normal cage or flight and try to put him in a brooder, or any warm, clean
environment.  Antibiotic, either internal or external, should be applied based
on your vet's advice.  Always be aware of any changes in the birds habits or
stool condtion, as these may be early signs of illness.  Unfortunately, the
birds rarely look sick before it's too late.

Aaron Moy
[e-mail]
"The Baby's Nest" Hand-Fed Birds
Urbana, Illinois
[phone]