How To Treat Sick Love Birds?

How To Treat Sick Love Birds
Questions & Answers – Question: Why is my lovebird’s poop black in colour? Should I be worried? Answer: If it’s occasional, it must be due to some kinds of food. If it’s on a daily basis, please take the bird to a vet. It’s always better to get the problem looked into.

Question: I have a male lovebird and a female lovebird also. My female lovebird is not flying and she falls down. She is not pregnant, but her tummy is fat. She is healthy too. Is she fine? Answer: I think she’s pregnant. Have your birds mated recently? Question: My lovebird is sleeping a lot and doesn’t balance herself while sleeping.

What should I do for her? Answer: Please give your lovebird multivitamins. If this has been going on for a while, maybe it would be wise to consult your vet. Question: My baby lovebird is weak and is bobbing her head. What should I do? Answer: Give her healthy food like corn, apple bits, banana and spinach leaves.

  • Give her multivitamins.
  • Question: My baby Love Bird is making a clicking sound, should I be worried? Answer: No, clicking sounds just mean he’s rolling the tongue (it’s a sign of contentment and a process birds do before they fall asleep).
  • Nothing to worry about.
  • Question: My female lovebird is not flying properly and falling down and her stomach seems larger than usual.

What is the problem? Answer: I think she might be pregnant. Do you have a male lovebird? Question: My lovebirds are losing their feathers. Why so? Answer: They must be molting. Please give them warm baths. Question: How to find out if my female lovebird is pregnant or not? Answer: She will have a bulge near her abdomen or bottom, she may be tired, moody and aggressive and you will see her laying an egg after a week of mating.

Question: My female lovebird is sick. She is sleeping a lot, has a slight breathing problem and loss of appetite. She is not in the egg bound stage. What should I do? I can’t see a vet for 2 weeks. Answer: Please cover the bird well to give warmth. Warmth will help the bird because sickness makes them weak and cold.

If she doesn’t eat on her own, please handfeed her. Has she swallowed seeds/fruits without chewing them? Has she eaten something hazardous? Check her droppings. Is the color okay? It shouldn’t be red. Do you see any nasal discharge? Does she make any sounds through her nose while breathing? Do you have a male lovebird and does he feed the female? If not, please get her one.

Question: My bird is looking smaller than usual. Is this bad? Answer: Has he/she losing feathers? Do you see any weakness, nasal discharge, sneezing or tail bobbing? Any sign of sickness? Sometimes, birds look small when they’re asleep. Question: My lovebird (I don’t know its gender) seems to be ill, what food can I feed it to help it recover? Answer: Please give lots of warmth by covering the cage.

Give soft foods like mashed banana or corn and make fresh water available. Question: My baby budgie is two months old. She has a fever. What should I feed her? Answer: Please give her nutritious food like fresh fruits (without seeds), boiled green leaves like spinach and crushed egg shells.

Keep her warm and make sure food and water are easily accessible. Question: My lovebird is itching her feathers. Is she sick? She bleeds as well. Answer: Please take her to a vet as soon as possible. Itching is common in birds, but bleeding is not. Question: My lovebird makes a clicking noise for up to two minutes, should I be worried? Answer: Just check the beak.

Is it properly formed? Is there something inside his beak? Question: My lovebird is regurgitating white bundles from its mouth. What should I do? Answer: There’s nothing to worry about. That’s only him regurgitating. Please buy a female lovebird for him.

  • Question: I have a male love bird, how long does it take for a female lovebird to lay eggs?
  • Answer: Eggs are laid a week after mating.
  • Question: How can you find out whether a lovebird is a female or male?

Answer: 1. Females lay eggs and display nesting behavior while males don’t.2. Females are perched with a wider stance than males.3. Males regurgitate food to the females and are generally chirpy and playful compared to the female. Question: My lovebird has been plucking her feathers uncontrollably, to the point where she bleeds and can’t even fly.

What can I do to stop the feather plucking? Answer: Please take her to the vet. They will be able to administer a collar properly. Please give her multivitamins. I hope she recovers soon. © 2018 Sakina Nasir Sakina Nasir (author) from Kuwait on July 25, 2020: @Sadid Please give warmth and feed a syringe full of glucose available for lovebirds.

Do you see any nasal discharge or breathing difficulty?

  1. Sadid on July 25, 2020:
  2. One of my lovebird is behaving weird they stop chirping doesn’t take foods and keeps her eyes closed what should I do
  3. Sakina Nasir (author) from Kuwait on July 02, 2020:

I’m sorry Raj, I think he/she must have died then.

  • raj rane on July 01, 2020:
  • my lovebird is not moving
  • Sakina Nasir (author) from Kuwait on December 26, 2019:
  • @Aditya Around 25 dollars a month.
  • ADITYA from New delhi on December 26, 2019:
  • How much do you earn
  • Sakina Nasir (author) from Kuwait on December 24, 2018:

@Eman, I’m sorry for your loss and I understand. I have lost many pets too, I know the feeling.

  1. Eman Abdallah Kamel from Egypt on December 24, 2018:
  2. I owned a pair of birds but they died and I did not repeat the experience again, but my brother and my uncle have birds as pets.
  3. Sakina Nasir (author) from Kuwait on December 23, 2018:

@Eman Hi! Thank you. 🙂 Do you have lovebirds as pets?

  • Eman Abdallah Kamel from Egypt on December 23, 2018:
  • Thank you for this useful article.
  • Sakina Nasir (author) from Kuwait on December 22, 2018:

@Louise Powels Hi! 🙂 Thank you so much! Lulu has been in a good health since months, alhamdolillah (it means thank God in Arabic). Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on December 22, 2018: Aww, Lulu is so cute. This is a very useful article to read about how to care for your sick bird. I hope Lulu will be back to 100% health very soon! : How to Care for Sick Lovebirds: Signs and Symptoms

Contents

What are the symptoms of a sick lovebird?

Problems – Signs of illness to be aware of are if a bird seems withdrawn, feathers are ruffled and the plumage is dull, sits with its eyes closed for long periods of time, eyes are watery or dull, runny nose, sleeps a lot, loses interest in its environment and stays at its feed dish.

  1. The droppings may change color and be loose (if healthy they are grayish white and not too thin).
  2. Also a lot of tail bobbing, dropping off its perch, odd breathing, sneezing, and excessive scratching.
  3. Some of the common illnesses your lovebirds could contract are injuries from fighting, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, Polyoma Virus Infection, yeast infections (Candidiasis), Avian Pox Virus Infection, bacterial infections, internal parasites, mites, ticks, egg binding, intestinal influenza, coccidiosis, respiratory ailments, and diarrhea.

An ailing bird should be taken to an avian veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment immediately! Sources Jack Hanna’s Ultimate Guide to Pets, 1996 www.Animal-World.com : Bird Care Guide: Lovebirds

Why do love birds get sick?

Improper diet is the most common cause of ill health in pet birds.

How do you bring birds back to health?

Injured bird rescue – Any songbird you find on the ground who is an adult, rather than a fledgling, and who does not immediately fly away from you is in need of help. The bird is either sick or injured and must be taken right away to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

  1. How to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator Important: For the bird to have the best chance of recovery and release, you must contact a rehabilitator right away and transport the songbird there immediately.
  2. Don’t ever try to care for the bird yourself.
  3. In most cases, the chances of the bird surviving and being released back to the wild are almost non-existent.

Only a licensed wildlife rehabilitator has the special equipment and skills to provide the injured bird with proper care. If you have determined that an adult bird needs rescuing, follow the instructions below for catching and transporting the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator.

How can I help my bird recover?

Injured Birds – Adult songbirds can become injured and sick for a multitude of reasons. The most common reasons include getting attacked by house cats, being hit by cars, window strikes, bacterial and viral illnesses contracted at bird feeders, and many more. Characteristics of adult songbird in need:

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On the ground not moving Does not fly away when approached Easily picked up Extremely fluffed up feathers Eyes closed, squinted, crusty, weepy, swollen, bleeding Evidence of blood or wounds Obvious injured limb (dangling leg, drooping/hanging wing, wings not symmetrical) Tries to fly but can’t

If you find an injured bird, carefully put it in a cardboard box with a lid or a towel over the top, and place in a cool, safe place. Birds go into shock very easily when injured, and often die from the shock. If a bird has hit a window and is still alive, it may just need a little time to regain its senses, then may be able to fly away.

How do birds act when they are sick?

Disclaimer: these are just some of the signs of a sick bird. Not all birds who display these are sick, and not all birds who are sick display these. Always, always consult your vet! And darn it, read real avian publications for more information and more things to look out for.

Puffed-up feathers. Birds fluff up their feathers to keep warm, and also when they relax for sleep, and also when sick. A bird who sits puffed up much of the day is likely in trouble. Tail-bobbing when breathing. Birds who sit there puffed up, bobbing their tails, may be sick. Not eating their favorite food. Maybe the bird’s full – but they need to eat often, so if after a day the favorite food is untouched, something’s likely wrong. Half-closed or closed eye(s) for much of the time. Alert and healthy birds usually have both eyes wide open while awake. If the eyes start closing, and it’s not because you’re scratching a birdie head and inducing pure birdie joy, the bird might be sick. Oh, and be careful: birds often close one eye but not the other. You may not notice a bird is keeping its farther eye closed sometimes. Sleeping excessively. Like people, birds who sleep a lot more than usual may be in trouble. Bad posture when at rest. Healthy small parrots usually sit somewhat vertically, not fully horizontally, though it depends on the type. Bad posture from sickness is usually combined with puffed up feathers. Discharge/wetness around the nose. It may be hard to see the nose, but it’s usually at the top of the widest part of the bill, right near or under the feather line. Watch for moisture/discharge there. An occasional sneeze is OK, but if it stays moist. Throwing up/getting undigested or half-digested food stuck to the cage in weird places. Can be mistaken for harmless courtship-related regurgitation. New owners should play it safe and check with a vet. You can eventually learn to tell if it’s nausea vs. lovey-dovey behavior, but watch very carefully. Poop sticking to the vent feathers. This is apparently a common sign of possible sickness, especially if it keeps happening. Discolored, undigested, or runny poop. Watch for changes in the shape/color of the poop. Runny poop can happen if you’ve just given your bird a bath or if it just drank lots of water, but those effects only last for about an hour with small birds. Color changes can mean a change in diet (seed diets usually produce greenish poop, pellets usually produce brown), but off-colors or unusual colors are a warning sign (black is usually a bad sign). The poop should also look well-digested – no lumps in it that can be identified as what they used to be. If your bird eats seeds, there should NOT be whole, undigested seeds in the poop – that’s a sign of dreaded PDD, Ragged, poorly preened feathers. A sign the bird isn’t feeling up to caring for its feathers, which is a bad sign, since feathers are vital to a bird’s survival in the wild. Sneezing. Especially if it’s frequent. Lack of energy. If a normally playful bird doesn’t play very much any more, it may well be sick. Sudden temperament change. A normally mellow bird may get grouchy and nippy, or a rambunctious bird might just get very quiet and mellow. It might be just hormones or a bad feather day, or it could be something else. Weight loss. Dangerous especially to small birds, who don’t have much in the way of bodily reserves. Most casual bird owners don’t weigh their birds very often, so it’s important to work with a vet to check a bird’s weight. Sometimes you can tell by feeling the keel bone, the bone that runs down the center of the bird’s chest – if it sticks out like a razor, the bird is starving! In a healthy bird, there’s so much flesh on the chest you can hardly feel the bone. Crooked beak/crooked toenails. Either can be a sign of long-term illness, and should be checked out by your vet as soon as possible. In budgies, crusted-over nose (cere) and/or feet. A possible sign of mites. Talk to your vet about the options. Dull feathers/feathers with unnatural banding. Many possible sicknesses here! With cockatoos and cockatiels, also watch for a lack of “powder” (though young birds don’t seem to have as much of it). If the bird’s appearance is gradually getting worse, see a vet! Plucked feathers. I’ve heard this is often due to parasites or other problems, not just boredom. Get a full battery of tests. This site has more information. Any sign of blood! Bad sign. If your birdie is bleeding, you need to stop it immediately. Call your vet if you’re not sure how. If it’s a broken pin feather that’s bleeding, apparently it needs to be pulled out with pliers! For other cases, you need Quik-stop or other styptic (bleeding-stopping) powder (cornstarch can work too) – GET SOME just in case. Example of using cornstarch: One time one budgie of ours had a toenail clipped too short at a vet exam, and it started bleeding heavily at home. It’s alarming to see big drops of blood falling from a tiny bird!! (Note: wounds are not always conveniently visible.) Styptic stick didn’t work. We grabbed the budgie (carefully, in a small towel) and inserted the bleeding toenail into a small glass container of cornstarch, packed the cornstarch against the wound, and held it there for 20 minutes (of course making sure the bird could breathe freely while we held it). That finally got the toe to stop bleeding, but we watched carefully for some time to be sure.

If you see one or more of these, or anything else odd or weird, don’t waste time getting opinions from amateurs like me. Call up your trusted avian vet ASAP! Finally, sometimes the worst happens, despite the best care and the best vets. Birds can and do die.

Why is my bird weak?

There are many causes of anorexia and lethargy in pet birds including cancer, viral or bacterial infections, fungal or yeast infections, parasites, endocrine or hormonal diseases, and organ-specific problems such as liver, heart, or kidney failure.

Should you force feed a sick bird?

– The ill bird has low blood and energy levels that must be restored rapidly. Force-feeding is necessary when the energy levels drop so low that the bird does not eat or drink and is in danger of dying. A bird with cold feet needs this type of heating.

What antibiotics are safe for birds?

Doxycycline is the treatment of choice and is given orally or by injection for 45 days.

Why is my lovebird weak?

The most common health problems in lovebirds – These are the most common diseases that occur in lovebirds:

Malnutrition: Vitamin A and calcium deficiencies are the most common health difficulties seen in these cute little birds. Since seeds are higher in fat than many other foods, many of these seed addicts are also often overweight. Vitamin A promotes appetite, digestion, and also increases resistance to infections from some parasites. Overweight birds are more susceptible to: arthritis and fatty liver disease. Other very common diseases are: conjunctivitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, constipation

Many others can develop from these health problems, so it is worth paying attention to the symptoms of disease that we present in the next section.

What can cause a love birds death?

Answer: – “> Hi Sharra, I’m very sorry to hear about your loss of Snuggles. At 16 Snuggles was very old for a lovebird. While they can live into their early 20’s, most lovebirds only live 10-12 years. Most likely his heart just gave out. I’ve known many elderly birds who died suddenly like Snuggles. Birds have a very high metabolism, so if the bird is really old, sudden organ failure can cause nearly instant death. Airborne toxins can also cause this, but generally the bird will show signs of respiratory distress first, and then have trouble breathing before it dies. From what you said, I really think it was just little Snuggles time, and while it was shocking for you, know that at least he didn’t suffer at all. Take care, Brenda

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How do you know if a bird is in pain?

Confirm It Is Truly Sick or Injured The bird is quiet, dull, the eyes may be closed, and it has fluffed feathers (the bird looks ‘puffed up’). It may have an obvious wound, breathing problems, a drooping wing, or show lameness or an inability to stand. It does not fly away when approached.

How do I boost my bird’s immune system?

Chicken’s Immune System Booster 2: Herbs – How To Treat Sick Love Birds Many herbs are recommended to aid in chickens’ health and digestion, In fact, some commercial chicken concerns have started adding oregano and cinnamon oil to their birds’ diet.

Oregano – is the clear favorite for a healthful boost. It boosts the immune system and helps guard against certain infections such as salmonella, infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, and E. coli. Cinnamon – is a great all-rounder. It has antibacterial properties, reduces inflammation, and is an antioxidant, Turmeric – has great antibiotic and anti-infective benefits. Ginger – is another anti-infective, anti-viral herb that boosts the immune system. Parsley – rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K plus numerous trace elements, it is said to stimulate egg-laying.

The list can be extensive, but the herbs above are the most popular. Although chickens don’t have a great sense of smell, they do possess one. So sprinkling fresh herbs such as lavender in the coop and especially the nest boxes might put them in a calm and happy frame of mind.

Can birds heal themselves?

Can a bird’s broken wing heal on its own? – Just as we’re designed to heal after a break, the average bird can recover from a minor wound without any intervention. Often it will be starvation or a predator, rather than the injury itself, that ends her life. However, a major break will need human help, including surgery, to get it back to normal and prevent infection along the way. How To Treat Sick Love Birds

How do you give an injured bird water?

FLYING INTO WINDOWS: – Birds see the reflection of the trees on windows and will fly into them. Usually they are stunned and should be picked up and put into a box until they get their senses back. OPEN THE BOX OUTSIDE WHEN YOU WANT TO CHECK ON THE BIRD, OTHERWISE YOU MAY HAVE A LOOSE BIRD IN YOUR HOUSE.

Several techniques have been suggested to try and prevent bird from flying into windows. One method is to put a large bird silhouette on the glass. They may think its a predator and stay away. You can make one from black construction paper or buy one at a local wildbird supply store. A send way is to hang brightly colored and/or metallic streamers across the middle of the window. The motion and color may help to keep the birds away.

How long does it take for a bird to heal?

When you break a bone, you might get a cast or a set of crutches from your doctor. But what do we do for birds with broken wings? Every year dozens of birds are brought to the Wildlife Medical Clinic with wing fractures, unable to fly. There are many steps we take to fix the wing and get them back to flying! When a bird is brought to the Clinic, it is given a full medical exam. Before we can work to fix a fracture, we must first take radiographs, or x-rays! As you can imagine, wild birds aren’t the most cooperative patients when it comes to staying still for x-rays. So, for their safety and our own, birds are often sedated to ensure the process is as pain and stress free as possible.

Radiographs show us which bones are broken, where in the bone the break is located, and how significant the break is. This information is key to planning surgical correction of the fracture. When a wing is involved, often bandaging won’t sufficiently allow the wing to heal. Instead, the most common way we fix fractures is by surgically inserting an “intramedullary” (or IM) pin into the broken bone.

This metal pin is drilled into the middle of the bone so that each piece of the broken bone is now lined up. Several “K-wires” (or Kirschner wires) are then placed perpendicular to the IM pin, with the ends sticking out of the skin. K-wires are the narrowest metal pins used in orthopedic surgery. After surgery, an acrylic bar is attached to the ends of the K-wires. Think of it like a piece of clay that’s rolled out in a cylinder, placed over the ends of the K-wires. The acrylic hardens, securing the wires in place. The whole set-up is referred to as an “external fixator”. Birds get physical therapy after surgery just like people do! To make sure the bird will be able to fly, we gently extend the joints of the wing and hold them in that position for one minute, stretching out the muscles of the affected wing. We do this every few days while the bird is recovering, and every physical therapy session we measure how far the joints are able to extend with a protractor-like device called a goniometer.

The angle we measure is called the passive range of motion, or PROM, and logging changes in the angle helps us see how well the bone is healing. We can also use a cold laser as part of the bird’s physical therapy plan, stimulating healing processes and reducing pain! Birds bones heal much faster than mammals, and the bones may be sufficiently healed after just 3-4 weeks of care.

Once the fracture site is stable, we remove all of the pins. The bird is then ready for flight conditioning before it can be released. For this, we typically partner with licensed wildlife rehabilitators who have the facilities to best support these birds during the final stages of their recovery. It can be a long process to fix a bird’s fractured wing, but it is incredibly rewarding to watch them improve from start to finish! This article was written by Katie Havighorst, Class of 2022.

How long does it take for a bird to recover?

When Window Collisions Happen – While there are many ways to prevent bird window collisions, even the most vigilant birder will occasionally have a bird strike a window. When that happens:

  1. Find the bird, If the collision was minor, the bird might fly off right away, or it may move somewhat away from the window. If it were stunned, however, it would likely be underneath the window or very close by and may not be alert or moving.
  2. Observe the bird closely, Before handling the bird, watch closely to see how it reacts. Many stunned birds will sit quietly as they recover, perhaps with their wings slightly drooped, and if they are in a safe area, they do not need to be moved. If the bird is unconscious or thrashing about, however, it may need additional care.
  3. Check for injuries, If the bird is unconscious, gently pick it up or carefully check for visible injuries, including signs of broken bones or cuts. Other indications may be missing feathers or a discharge from the bill. If the bird is severely hurt, contact a bird rescue organization to ensure the bird gets immediate, appropriate medical care. While handling the bird, it is always wise to wear gloves.
  4. Keep the bird safe, If the bird appears just to be stunned, put it in a safe, sheltered place. If possible, leave the bird in the area where the collision occurred, but if the area is not safe from predators or other hazards, put the bird in a small box or paper bag. The box or bag should be large enough that the bird can spread its wings, and it may be lined with newspapers or a clean rag. Loosely close the box while still ensuring the bird has plenty of air circulation, and keep the box in a quiet, warm spot as the bird recovers.
  5. Give the bird recovery time, Depending on the severity of the impact, it may take just a few minutes or up to 2-3 hours for a bird to recover, and during that time it should be stimulated as little as possible. Do not open the box or bag to check the birds’ condition, and do not poke or prod the bird to try and get a response. Instead, listen for it to begin moving around, which will be the best sign of its recovery. If the bird is showing no signs of recovery after 2-3 hours, it should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator even if there are no other injuries visible.
  6. Release the bird, Once the bird begins to move and show more activity, it should be returned to its environment. Take the box outdoors and gently open it in the same area where the collision occurred so the bird can easily get its bearings. The bird should fly out fairly quickly, but it may not fly far as it adjusts to the surroundings. If it is not safe to release the bird in the same area, take it to the closest similar habitat where it will find good food, fresh water, and safe shelter.
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A sick bird may allow you to approach more closely than normal. Mark Tighe / Flickr / CC by 2.0 Not all birds will recover from window collisions. Internal bleeding or injuries may not be obvious but can be fatal, and if the bird dies, it should be disposed of properly,

How can I help my bird drink?

Providing Water for Birds Birds need fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing. Most birds drink water every day. They also seem to enjoy bathing to clean their plumage and remove parasites. Providing water improves habitat for birds and other animals, and increases your chances of observing their fun behaviors up close! You can attract more birds to your balcony, roof patio, or yard by including a birdbath, and few things are more attractive to them than a clean, well-maintained one. How To Treat Sick Love Birds (Photo © ) Good birdbaths are similar to shallow puddles, the natural birdbaths in the wild for birds. Choose a shallow container that is easy to clean, such as an old frying pan, shallow baking pan, or plastic lids of large containers. If you have a yard, you could dig a shallow hole and line it with plastic or some other waterproof material.

  1. Although birds prefer water basins that are on the ground, consider if cats are a danger.
  2. If you think that a birdbath on the ground might be too tempting to cats, put the birdbath three or four feet off the ground.
  3. Place some sand in the bottom of the bath and arrange a few branches or stones in the container, so birds can stand on them and drink without getting wet.

This is especially important in the winter when keeping body heat is essential for survival in the cold. How To Treat Sick Love Birds (Photo © Mary Marin, WI) You can try an immersion heater for keeping the water from freezing in a birdbath. These heaters are safe and cost pennies a day to operate or you could try putting a light bulb in a plant pot and place the water basin on top. How To Treat Sick Love Birds (Photo © ) Learn more about providing water for birds from the Great Backyard Bird Count (). : Providing Water for Birds

How do you rehydrate a sick bird?

Provide fluids: Birds not eating or drinking need to be hydrated immediately after a period of warming. Use a spoon or small syringe to try to get the bird to drink on his/her own (Pedialyte or 100% fruit juice such as apple, pear, or grape).

What can I give my lovebird for pain?

Pain management in avian patients (Proceedings) When one speaks of pain management in dogs they are discussing one species with research to back up their statements. Did you realize there are over 8000 species of birds? Even if we limit our discussion to the order Psittaciformes (parrots), that includes 353 different species and subspecies that are as diverse as a parakeet at 30 grams and a blue and gold macaw at 1000 grams.

  1. Not only are they different in size, but some parrots are from the rain forest and some are from the desert, some are New World species (from South America for example) and others are Old World species (from Australia or Africa for example).
  2. In addition, it is known that different species of psittacine birds metabolize several drugs differently than other psittacine birds.

For example, macaws often regurgitate on “regular” avian doses of trimethoprim-sulfa, and African grey parrots often become profoundly depressed on “regular” avian doses of itraconazole. Another example is Old World Gyps Vultures developing visceral gout, renal necrosis and death a few days after exposure to small doses of diclofenac, an NSAID, (median lethal dose in this species is 0.1 – 0.2 mg/kg; low enough to be exposed to lethal doses by ingesting tissues of cattle given the drug), whereas turkey vultures receiving doses of up to 25 mg/kg had no ill effects recognized either clinically or histologically.

This has led to the recent ban by the Indian, Nepali, and Pakistan governments on the use of diclofenac in cattle. Recent pharmacokinetic studies in several species of Gyps vultures showed meloxicam, another NSAID, to be safe for use. There are probably many unknowns in regards to the metablolism or action of pain relieving drugs in the many species of psittacine birds, or just even in the 10 most commonly kept psittacine species in captivity.

Therefore, when assessing an avian patient for signs of pain, or deciding on which pain reliever to use, or what dose and how often to administer, it must be taken into account that there is NO GENERIC PARROT, and one must be familiar with the very limited scientific research that has been conducted regarding pain management in psittacine birds.

Also, each patient must be evaluated and re-evaluated individually and constantly. What research has been done in psittacine birds and what is known? Most recent studies in psittacine birds have been performed by Dr. Joanne Paul-Murphy and her colleagues at the University of Wisconsin. They have shown the following: 1994 – butorphanol at 1.0 mg/kg IM had an isoflurane-sparing effect in cockatoos (11 of 3 different species of cockatoo) 1999 – developed a model for assessing analgesic effects in birds using a perch that was half electrified and half thermal; 31 African grey parrots (2 sub-species) lifted a foot or flinched their wings in response to a stimulus; the response to the thermal stimulus was variable, but the response to the electrified perch was predictable 1999 – using the above electrified perch model, 29 African grey parrots (2 sub-species) had a significantly increased threshold value after administration of butorphanol at 1.0 mg/kg IM, but not with buprenorphine at 0.1 mg/kg IM 2004 – pharmacokinetic (PK) study of buprenorphine at 0.1 mg/kg IM given once achieved plasma concentrations that would be analgesic in humans (0.5-1.0 ng/ml) for 2 hours, but the authors recommended that further PK and analgesic studies be performed with higher doses before using this dose 2006 – PK and analgesic study using the above model in 11 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots showed that liposomal encapsulated butorphanol tartarate (LEBT) (15 mg/kg SQ) had plasma levels and analgesic effects lasting 3-5 days compared to standard butorphanol tartarate (STDBT) (5 mg/kg IM) lasting less than 24 hours; unfortunately LEBT is not yet available commercially Future work may involve evaluating the percentage of types of opiate receptors in birds.

It is thought that birds possess more kappa than mu opiate receptors. Formulary doses and references (from Carpenter’s formulary): In my experience, tramadol (an opiate) at 4 mg/kg orally once or twice daily worked well long term in a parrotlet with debilitating gout (since there were renal issues, an NSAID was not the best choice).

  1. Since that first bird, we have used tramadol in several other species and studies are currently being conducted.
  2. How do you assess pain in birds and when do you give analgesics? It is very difficult to assess pain in birds and there are no standard methods or assessments available to assess the level of pain in birds.

Therefore, you are left with past experience, observation and anthropomorphism (if I had a fractured bone I would want an opiate). Birds are very stoic and do not cry out in pain despite the fact that they can be very loud when they want to be. Birds have a flock mentality; meaning they are a prey species and if they make their illness conspicuous to the rest of the flock they risk being ostracized by the rest of the flock (so as not to attract the attentions of a predator).

  1. So, try to observe your patient before they are aware of you are observing them.
  2. When they realize you are there, you will probably observe them straightening up, opening their eyelids more and they may even turn to partially to face you in an attempt to look alert.
  3. Birds do not seem to become profoundly depressed on analgesics, therefore I tend to give analgesics at any hint of pain in a bird.

In most cases I tend to give both an opiate (butorphanol) and an anti-inflammatory (meloxicam) the first 6 – 48 hours and then use only the anti-inflammatory for about 3 – 5 days. If renal disease is suspected, I will use tramadol instead of an NSAID.