Do you have a lovebird or are you thinking of taking one in? So, to take care of it in the best possible way, it is vital that you inform yourself as much as possible about the care it needs as well as possible he alth problems it may suffer from so that you can more easily detect when you should go to the vet as soon as possible.. This small bird from the psittacine or parrot family is increasingly popular in homes and, therefore, it is our responsibility to update all aspects of its he alth, basic needs and learn as much as possible about its species.
Thus, in this article on our site you will find everything you need about the most common agaopornis diseases but, even if you know more details about this, it is essential that before any sign of change in its appearance or behavior you take it to an exotics veterinarian.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation that occurs in the inner membrane of the eyelids and can sometimes lead to an infection. It can happen due to a small trauma, drafts, a cold, allergies, infections or the use of strong products to clean the cage. The symptoms that will tell you that you have conjunctivitis are:
- Closed eyes
- Irritation of the eyelid membrane
- Inflammation of the eyelids
- Legañas
So, if you see his swollen, red, runny or closed eyes you should go to the exotics specialist. The treatment if there is an infection is based on an antibiotic administered directly into the eyes or through food or water, which the veterinarian will prescribe and can also prescribe it as prevention in case of injury or blow. In addition, with sterile gauze you can clean his eyes with physiological serum or cold chamomile infusion. To avoid this he alth problem we must avoid currents and maintain good hygiene and a he althy life.
Respiratory acariasis
This is a condition that affects the bird's respiratory tract and is caused by mites (Stermostomade tracheacukum) that reproduce and inhabit in the mucous membranes of the throat. The symptoms that make it easier for us to detect it are the following:
- Heavy breathing
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Rough throat sound
- Irritated throat
- Constantly cupped pens
The vet will possibly prescribe a miticide, usually a spray, and may also advise an antibiotic. The best way to prevent this problem is to always maintain a impeccable hygiene of both our bird and its habitat and environment. Accumulated feces, food that has passed or has begun to rot, fallen feathers, etc., should always be removed without allowing an unhe althy environment to be created.
Cold and pneumonia
Drafts and sudden changes in temperature can cause our exotic bird to end up having colds or colds and, if not, treated in time, it can lead to aggravated respiratory problems. For example, another common respiratory condition that occurs for these same reasons and is also due to colds is pneumonia The easiest symptoms to detect so you can go as soon as possible to the specialist are as follows:
- Heavy breathing
- Mucus accumulated in the nostrils
- Cupped Feathers
- Eyelid skin peeling
- Apathy
- Lack of appetite
Some respiratory conditions are actually among the most common diseases in domestic birds. Thus, in this case, the vet will surely prescribe antibiotic, clean the nostrils with gauze and saline and vitamin complexes The best way to avoid these conditions is to help you maintain good hygiene, a he althy life, a suitable temperature and no drafts.
Diarrhea
The diarrhea in lovebirds are mainly due to the type of feeding or the state of the food, but they can be due to a malfunction of the intestine, parasitic, viral, bacterial, fungal, etc. Many times it is a symptom of a major he alth problem, so you should go to the exotics vet as soon as possible. Some of the most frequent microorganisms that cause diarrhea in these exotic birds are Coccidiosis, Colibacillosis, Enteritis, Dysentery. Symptoms that indicate this problem are:
- Much more stool than usual.
- Stools that are yellowish and greenish and much more liquid than usual.
- Dirty, wet, swollen and red cloaca.
Apart from thoroughly cleaning the cage, the vet will decide which treatment is the most appropriate depending on what he sees to be the source of the diarrhea. One thing we can do both to prevent this problem and to reinforce the treatment is to try to maintain good hygiene, avoid drafts and sudden changes in temperature and wash and dry very well the fruit and vegetables that we offer you.
Constipation
Due to an inadequate or insufficient diet, especially if it lacks the necessary amount of fruits and vegetables, the lovebird may suffer difficulty passing stoolor even retain them for too long. Thus, we should give him vitamins, enough fresh water and more fruits and vegetables if we observe the following symptoms :
- Problems passing stool
- Continuous Tail Flicks
- Widespread tremor
- Swollen belly
The only way to prevent it is to ensure correct nutrition, clean water and enough space to exercise well, thus ensuring all the necessary nutrients and optimal digestion.
Abnormal moult
Another of the diseases of lovebirds is abnormal moulting, that is, a change of main and secondary feathers outside the usual season of change, the summer. It can be caused by stress, lack of vitamins, inadequate nutrition or poor hygiene. But, if we always have our love in a space that is at a warm temperature as if it were summer, it is possible that this is the reason why it suffers from an abnormal change of plumage
Both to prevent and treat this problem we must adjust the temperature, so that the heat is not excessive, disinfect the environment and provide a complete diet with the necessary vitamins or administer a vitamin complex in the water.
Other common conditions in lovebirds
In addition to the main conditions mentioned, there are other diseases that affect the inseparable ones that we must take into account:
- Internal parasites: intestinal verminosis or intestinal worms. Parasites can be seen in feces in advanced cases, labored breathing and open beak, much lighter colored legs indicating anemia, temporary paralysis and tremors. To prevent it, it is advisable to use dewormers suitable for lovebirds under the guidance of the veterinarian.
- Egg retention: occurs when the female has great difficulty expelling the egg and it gets stuck. When this happens, the female stays in the nest for a long time, her cloaca is swollen and bulging, she also does not stop pushing repeatedly, she is exhausted and her feathers are disordered. It is best to see an exotic specialist as soon as possible.
- Psittacosis: if you wonder what diseases lovebirds transmit to peopleyou should know that psittacosis is one of them, because it is a zoonosis so there is a risk that it could pass from these animals to humans. Its origin is viral (Miyagawanella psittaci) and the main symptoms are nervous instability, great thirst, drowsiness, loss of appetite and, occasionally, diarrhoea. There is no treatment and it is difficult for a lovebird to survive.
- Salmonellosis: is other zoonosis that is caused by a bacterial infection that causes symptoms such as general weight loss but a swollen belly, labored breathing, diarrhoea, lack of appetite and extreme thirst. The vet can prescribe isolation, warm temperature and tranquility, broad-spectrum antibiotics, group B vitamins, disinfection of the cage and accessories.
