Summary of Diseases and Illnesses Frequently Seen in Geriatric Birds
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MAR 19, 2022
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- Atherosclerosis, mostly seen in African Greys and Blue-fronted Amazons, usually diagnosed on post-mortem.
- Strokes and heart attacks
- Skin diseases or conditions
- Fungal infections, such as aspergillosis, which may occur in older birds, especially those housed in poor conditions
- Chronic diseases of the liver, heart, or kidneys
- Neoplasia, most frequently seen with budgies
- Nutritional deficiencies, usually hypovitaminosis A. Dietary correction should not be undertaken until the bird has been examined, tested and treated for any illnesses. Stressing a bird by changing its diet can create an acute illness from sub-clinical disease.
- Swollen choana and blunted or absent choanal papillae. Sheets of sloughed epithelial cells may be seen on a Gram's stain
- Chronic sinusitis, often complicated by secondary bacterial or fungal infections
- Obesity, occurring when the weight exceeds the optimum by 15% or greater. Birds become more sedentary as they age, and the lower activity level may result in weight gain. The older bird has a slower metabolic rate and may not require as many calories. Although hypothyroidism is not well-documented in psittacines, it may also play a role in weight gain in some older birds.44,63,64
- Weight loss. A loss of more than 10% of a bird’s body weight can mean illness. The bird should be seen immediately.
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How to reference this publication (Harvard system)?
(2022) “Summary of Diseases and Illnesses Frequently Seen in Geriatric Birds”, Avian Health and Disease. Available at: https://www.ivis.org/library/avian-health-and-disease/summary-of-diseases-and-illnesses-frequently-seen-geriatric-birds (Accessed: 22 September 2023).
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