ASK THE VET (Keeping Your Bird Healthy)

Since this is my first column after what I hope was an enjoyable summer for all of you and your birds, I though I'd start with a general column on keeping your birds healthy. Preventative medicine is the key! All new birds should be examined by an avian veterinarian. Birds are very good at hiding signs of illness, so it is advisable to have blood tests and cultures taken at this time. I always recommend a complete blood count, blood chemistry, psittacosis test, fecal and fecal culture. A Psitticine Beak and Feather blood test should be considered as well. It never fails to amaze me that some owners will spend a great deal of money on toys and cages, yet, scrimp on a physical examination and diagnostic work up to ensure the health of their pet.

The new bird should be housed away from other birds for at least 30 days to be sure it is not incubating any illness.

Yearly health examinations are very important to diagnose any abnormalities that may not be obvious to an owner.

Nail trimming and wing clipping can be done during the examination. I always recommend that owners not take a bird into a store where other birds are, since the bird is put at risk of contracting any viruses or bacterial that may be present.

A balanced diet is very important to maintain your bird's health. A sunflower seed and peanut diet is not a balanced diet. It is too high in phosphorus and too low in calcium, as well as lacking many essential vitamins and minerals. Pelleted diets, supplemented with daily fruits and vegetables are far superior to seed diets.

Exercise is very important as is lots of attention from the bird's owners.

The above are just a few things that can help your bird be healthy and enjoy a long life.