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Lovebird Diseases

Bird Health Care

Relevant Web Resources:

• Lovebird General Info
• Lovebirds as Pets
• Breeding Lovebirds / Lovebird Chicks (photos of handfeeding lovebird chicks)
• Lovebird Species
• Lovebird Diseases (Diseases & Health Problems Lovebirds are Susceptible to) - scroll down
• Lovebird Photo Gallery
• Lovebird Library

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Lovebirds, like all birds, are very adapt at concealing their illness. This is a self-preservation mechanism, as the sick and the weak are the ones predators will focus on. By the time your lovebird looks ill, you can assume that your pet is seriously sick and is likely to deterioriate quickly unless appropriate treatment is provided.

By observing your lovebird daily you will learn its normal behavior and you will be able to notice anything out of the ordinary. Below is a list of things to look out for as possible indicators of disease / illness; and a vet may need to be consulted.

Signs of illness to watch out for:

Critical / Serious - bird needs to be taken to vet: respiratory problems / abnormal breathing tail constantly moving up and down discharge from the beak, eyes or nostrils face and head feathers coated with mucus and semi-digested seed- abnormal droppings abnormal feathers, feather growth or molt bleeding drooping head, tail or wings dull or swollen eyes falling off the perch hunched over posture lumps or swellings on the body sitting on the bottom of the cage vomiting weight loss

Could be serious - consult with vet: loss of appetite fluffed up and/or untidy appearance abnormal droppings excessive feather picking or plucking abnormal sleep pattern (continuous, both feet on the perch when normally one foot is tucked up, head tucked under the wing, head turned towards the wing with eyes only partly closed) any change in normal activities ( talking or whistling, playing with toys, preening, interaction with other birds or humans, energy levels, different perching area) disorientation drinking a lot more water than usual soiled vent drooping head, tail or wings

Diseases / Health Problems Lovebirds Commonly Come Down With

• Malnutrition:
  
  
  • Vitamin A and calcium deficiency are the most common deficiencies seen in seed junkies. Since seeds are higher in fat than many other foods, many seed eaters are often obese as well.

• Overweight birds are more susceptible to arthritis and fatty liver disease.

What you can do:

Introducing healthy foods - such as green leafy vegetables; red or orange fruits and veggies (which contain beta-carotene) - is a natural way to provide this nutrient safely. Calcium blocks should be provided also, to prevent calcium deficiency.

For seed addicted birds offer sprouted seeds instead. Sprouted seeds are healthier and lower in fat, as the process of sprouting reduces the fat content in the seeds, and sprouted seeds are usually more easily accepted by "seed addicts" than fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Respiratory Signs, Chronic Depression, Weightloss: Aspergillosis (fungal disease), bacterial infections / pneumonia, nutritional deficiencies (Hypovitaminosis A), Parrot Fever / Psittacosis / Chlamydia; inhaled toxins

• Behavioral Plucking (sexual mature birds mainly). NOTE: Plucking can also be a sign of a Giardia infection.



• Bad Feather / Beak Condition; Missing and Misshapen Feathers: Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD). A deadly, highly contagious (air-borne disease). Only supportive treatment available. No cure. (Click on link for more info.) ...
  • NOTE: beak deformities / problems and poor feather condition may also be an indicator of Fatty Liver Disease.

• Lovebirds are Highly susceptible to: Polyoma ... Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, PBFD, Beak & Feather ... Chronic Egg-laying ... Feather Plucking / Mutilation ... Sarcocystosis

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Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.

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