Index of Diseases / Health Conditions ... Medicinal Foods, Herbs, Spices & Household Items
The below provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. Any treatment protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner ... Please refer to: Medical & Legal Disclaimer.
Natural Ways of Building a Strong Immune System & Fighting Disease: Increase your own and your pets' chances of fighting / overcoming disease through a combination of excellent nutrition and a low-stress environment.
Unhealthy Light?
Dr. Hildegarde Staninger, RIET-1 Industrial Toxicologist/IH and Doctor of Integrative Medicine, stated to a patient that 60 watt light bulbs provides the best frequency in which to produce disease. Therefore, she strongly recommended against the use of 60 watt lights in your environment for any reason.
Bird owners already know the benefits of full-spectrum lighting - which also offers immense health benefits for us. (Click on link for more information.)
Nutrition is the key.
Adding the following foods will be the first, but most important step, in keeping your bird healthy:
Include in your bird's daily diet: Natural Antibiotics - to make sure it stays healthy.
Cod Liver Oil: Why Fish Oil is Crucial to Your Health: An Interview with Dr. Barry Sears Did you know that fish oil can alleviate inflammatory diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's? Dr. Barry Sears, the creator of the Zone diet, explains how the Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil promote wellness in this interview with Pat Robertson. Watch Video
Lactobacillus: Article: Why is lactobacillus so important to your bird's health?
Spirulina: Tests have discovered that Spirulina supercharges the immune system for better disease resistance and increased fertility. Studies also indicated that it increases metabolic rate, promotes the beneficial types of digestive tract flora, has strong anti-cancer and anti-viral properties, reduces serum cholesterol, protects against kidney damage and has radio protective effects. The National Cancer Institute has announced that sulfolipids in spirulina are remarkably active against HIV. I am also supplementing with Spirulina. You can buy it in pill form or as a powder. I found it easy to mix the powder in with my birds' wet food. I mix it in with my daily yogurt.
Wheat Grass: It packs natural enzymes, vitamins A, B, C, E and K, calcium, 
chlorophyll, iron, lecithin, magnesium, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, potassium, amino acids, trace elements and protein. It cleanses the blood by improving the supply of oxygen to the circulatory system; detoxifies and regenerates the liver; and protects us from carcinogens in our food or our environment. Wheatgrass has shown to expand the blood vessels and improve circulation; thus improving oxygenation of blood and the ability to rid the blood of toxins. Wheatgrass juice has been successfully used to treat anemia in humans and repair the liver, which should be an important consideration for the bird owner as the overreliance on seed-based diets has been identified as the major cause of liver disease in companion birds.
Alfalfa (Organic): lkalizes and detoxifies the body, especially the liver, and it contains an anti-fungal agent. It is an excellent appetite stimulant and overall tonic and an excellent source of chlorophyll and vitamins. Sprinkle it over your birds' soft food a couple of times a week.
Aloe / Herbal Anti-Inflammatories - Aloe Mister - great for plucking birds!
Cayenne: An overall digestive aid containing liberal amounts of Vitamins A, C, B-complex, calcium, phosphorous and iron. It is anti-inflammatory and helps arthritic conditions. Parrots love the aste of cayenne and will try new and unfamiliar foods, such as sprouts, when you sprinkle on this healthful herb.
Chamomile: A natural alternative to tranquiliziers for stressed birds. Substitute for your bird's drinking water. It soothes the nerves and the digestive tract. "Night flight episodes " in cockatiels can be treated by offering a bedtime tea of chamomile.
Dandelion: Dandelion is packed with blood purifying substances. Parrots love the taste of this plant - and it is readily available in most people's gardens. Rather than destroying them with toxic pesticides -- you would do yourself a HUGE favor by serving them to your family -- both feathered and unfeathered. Including dandelion leaves helps prevent arthritic conditions.
Toxic / Contaminated Produce:
The Avian Medicine: Principles & Application publication by Ritchie, Harrison and Harrison states that exposure to high concentrations of pesticides can lead to nonspecific signs of poisoning, including gastro- intestinal
problems, tremors, weakness, dyspnea, seizures or sudden death. Birds are especially susceptible to environmental toxins.
The following foods have the highest levels of toxins: Strawberries, Bell Peppers, Spinach, Cherries, Peaches, Cantaloupe, Celery, Apples, Apricots, Green Beans, Grapes, Cucumbers
Either buy organic produce, use your own crop, or substitute with the least contaminated crop: Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, bananas, Broccoli, Plums, Watermelon, Brussel Sprouts
- Click here for information on organic foods -- a listing of the most and the least contaminated food items, as well as handling tips.
An article in the Journal of Applied Nutrition stated that organic foods have higher nutrient levels than non-organically grown food and lower levels of heavy metals.
Garlic (safe for birds in SMALL amounts)
Non-toxic ways to control pests in the house or garden
Disease Prevention: Home Remedies
Relevant Information: Nutrition as a Primary Cause of Digestive Disorders and other Diseases? Joan, kindly forwarded information she found on a Pet Info Brochure to the Avian Health mailing list, that I feel is relevant for any bird owner.
Here it is: "Most digestive problems can be traced to the quality of food we serve. In the wild, animals eat raw food that is abundant with the digestive enzymes. Not only is the most commercial pet food heavily processed, which eliminates most of the natural enzymes, but many brands also contain artificial colors, preservatives and other chemicals. These ingredients have a negative effect on the bacteria in our animals' digestive tracts. Like us, our pets intestines contain "friendly" and "unfriendly" bacteria. Ideally, the friendly bacteria should out number the unfriendly by a healthy margin, but typically, the bad guys have taken over. This over abundance of bad bacteria leads to digestive disorders or organ failure. Consider switching your brand of pet food to one that is all-natural, with no added sugar or preservatives. Raw vegetables are a wise choice. Carrots and other veggies are chock full of natural enzymes and can really aid digestion. Additionally, try topping off your pets food with a teaspoon of plain yogurt. Yogurt contains friendly bacteria like acidophilus, which can help keep the ratio of good and bad bacteria in check. Be sure to read the label to make sure it contains live cultures and is low-fat."
Natural Remedies:
If you OR your pet are having health problems, researching all the below websites for quite valuable information would be "time well spent". My pets and myself have been disease free for years ever since I have taken an active interest in this topic (and followed it too!): Home Remedies ... Holistic Bird Website & Discussion Group ... Christopher Hobb's (Info on Berbs, Remedies and Herb Identification) ... Herbal Reference Library ... Herbal Remedies / Drug Interactions ... MedHerb ... The Kitchen Physician Citricidal Cure and Disinfectant
My experience: Adding GSE to my babies' formula basically eliminated yeast problems. In systemic cases of yeast infections, however, stronger meds have to be administered -- and even then chance of recovery is slim. I found "prevention" a better option than "treatment" and have been using with great success GSE with my babies. 
I also add a drop of GSE to my other birds' water -- not daily though, just intermittent, if they are under stress, or if I am not sure about the quality of water (high temperature weather, which allows bacteria to grow- the GSE keeps bacteria count down) ... As an additional benefit, GSE also has good anti-parasitic properties.
Liver Disease: The following product will help with detoxifying your birds:
- Aloe Detox One recommended brand is "Lily of the Desert Aloe Detoxifying Formula." It is available over the following websites: http://www.vitacost.com; http://www.amazon.com; http://www.internatural.com/ingr/ingr199340.cfm. It is also available at better health food stores, such as Whole Foods.
- Herbs that are conducive to maintaining liver health and even reversing existing liver problems are: Aloe, Milk Thistle, Psillium Husk Powder, Dandelions and others.
IMPORTANT: Your sick bird needs supportive care, such as warmth and fluids. When caring for a sick bird I replace the water with Pedialyte, which will counteract any dehydration*. You need to watch the bird carefully because if it stops eating and drinking then you have to forcefeed him or her. Follow any treatment program your vet recommends. Below is some information that may be of interest to you. Don't hesitate to print anything out and take it to your vet to consult with him.
*Check for dehydration: Birds suffering from dehydration may have crinkly skin around theirs eyes. Another way to diagnose dehydration is to pinch their skin for a second. Dehydrated skin will remain tented for several seconds, rather than bouncing right back.
- To remedy dehydration, mix one pint of water, one pint of Gatorade, 1 teaspoon of honey or Karo syrup, 1 level teaspoon of baking soda, 1 level teaspoon table salt. Caution: Measure with care; inaccurate measurements can cause severe diarrhea. Orange or cherry juice helps in hydrating your bird.
HEATING OPTIONS (for both Baby Birds and Convalescent Adult Birds):
DANGER: Non-Stick Surface Heating Lamps!!! ... Salamander Ceramic, Quartz, Metal and Flat Faced Panel Electric Infrared Heating Elements Accessories
Emergency Heat! How to survive during power outages and severe weather conditions.
VETERINARY
I feel strongly that any bird should be provided with veterinary care when sick and suffering. There are quite a few avian vets out there specializing in holistic care (combining it with traditional medicine). For breeders or multi-bird households it is even more crucial to act upon a sick bird, to find out the cause of the sickness and if it is something that is infectious. The responsibility breeders carry is enormous, not only over the lives and wellbeing of the many birds that we own, but also for the babies that we sell.
Saying this, I am also aware of the RISKS associated with a vet visit. Like a breeder friend of mine said: "What better way to pick up a disease!" I totally agree with that.
However, there ARE ways to minimize risks of 'catching a disease' at the vet's:
1. Express your concern of your bird getting in contact with an airborne (or otherwise) disease pathogen at the veterinary office, and ask to make an appointment very early in the morning before many (if any) sick birds have been on the premises, or -- if this is not possible -- at any other time when traffic in the office is slow. Of course, if it's an emergency and the bird is very sick, we can't be all that picky about the appointment time, but still, there are measures you can take to minimize exposure to any airborne or otherwise pathogens.
2. Keep your bird in a COVERED carrier at any times other than the actual examination by the vet. (A clean, oversized towel or a blanket serves this purpose well.)
3. Stay away from any other patients and their owners -- consider them potentially contagious. Do not allow anyone to touch your bird with the exception of the health care staff for the purpose of examining your bird.
Herbal References / Herbal Remedies: Home Remedies ... Herbal Remedies / Drug Interactions
For people who suffer from allergies, or those who want to keep the air clean for their own and their birds' benefit:
- Please check out the various available Air Filtration Systems, some of which even kill bacteria and viruses!
- Safe, non-toxic products that will help you protect youself, your family and pets from allergens, including biting mites, mold and fungi
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