This week on “Ask the Vet” we move away form the regular animals (cats and dogs) that we feature on the page and instead move on to smaller and feathery pets.

Many of us our proud owners of various bird species such as Parrots, Mynahs and Budgerigars. It is quite difficult to justify when your lovable feathered friends are feeling rather blue. So this week Dr. V.A. Ching speaks about how to identify when your pet bird is sick and needs medical attention

The main illnesses that are found in birds come in the form of:

Respiratory track diseases

Diarrhea

Nutritional deficiencies

Symptoms of Respiratory disease:

Ruffled feathers

Sleeping with head down

Less movement

Shriveled up

Quiet

Discharge from the nose

Labored breathing

Symptoms of Diarrhea:

Watery stools

Symptoms of Nutritional deficiencies:

The Birds feathers will be less shiny

Nutritional deceases are caused mainly because of a lack of vitamins. If you suspect the bird has a nutritional disease then attempt to feed the recommended grains to it if not take it immediately to the vet.