As a pet bird owner, it's very important that you learn all you can about pet bird health, and continue to seek out information on how to provide the best care throughout your pet's lifetime. One way to do that is to periodically test your knowledge on commonly reported bird health issues, their signs and symptoms, and what you should do if you suspect a health concern in your pet. Use the questions and answers listed below to see where you stand as far as your current knowledge of bird health issues, while learning some vital facts at the same time. No matter how much you think you know about your pet, there is always more to be explored and discovered in terms of keeping your bird's health in check.
What is a parasite?
Parasites are organisms that depend on a host organism for their survival. All animals, including birds and humans, can contract parasites of one type or another. Common parasites found in pet birds include roundworms and mites.
Name 3 tools that should be included inn a pet bird first aid kit.
A basic pet bird first aid kit should at the very least contain gloves, bandages, a pair of scissors, some tweezers, antibiotic ointment, and a copy of your veterinarian's contact information. There are many other components that are also helpful to have on hand in the event of an emergency -- for a more comprehensive list, see this article on how to
make your own pet bird first aid kit.
What part of a bird's body holds food before it is passed on to the gizzard?
A bird's
crop is an organ that stores food that the bird has eaten until it can be properly digested. The crop is composed of several layers of muscle and works to soften the bird's food while it waits to be passed on to the gizzard for further processing.
What is the most common first sign of illness in pet birds?
The most commonly reported early
symptom of illness in pet birds is abnormal droppings. Often illness or injury will affect a bird's appetite before anything else, and the droppings will normally tell the tale. This is one reason why it is important to follow a diligent cage cleaning routine and become familiar with what your bird's droppings normally look like.
What does PBFD stand for?
PBFD stands for
psittacine beak and feather disease, a devastating virus that can affect all parrots. PBFD usually causes extreme amounts of feather loss and abnormal growth of the beak. There is currently no cure for PBFD, and it is feared among bird owners as it is both highly contagious and fatal to other birds.
What is Egg Binding?
Egg Binding is a problem that can occur in female birds of breeding age, and happens when the bird is unable to pass an egg that she is trying to lay. Cases of egg binding require prompt veterinary attention, because if the bird is unable to get the egg to pass, it can be fatal.
Name 3 foods that are known to be toxic to birds.
There are many
foods that are poisonous to birds, but acceptable answers would include chocolate, onions, alcohol, salt, and mushrooms.
What does PDD stand for?
Another dreaded disease among bird lovers, PDD stands for Proventricular Dilatation Disease, a highly contagious and fatal disorder than can affect any parrot species. It is not known how PDD is transmitted, and veterinarians have yet to develop a way to successfully treat it. Symptoms of PDD can include vomiting, abnormal droppings, weight loss, and a swollen crop.How do you fix a broken blood feather?
The only way to
fix a broken blood feather is to extract it from the bird's skin. Blood feathers are directly connected to a bird's circulatory system, so if they get broken and the tip remains embedded in the body of the bird, he or she can potentially bleed to death without treatment.
What is the scientific name for avian flu or "bird flu?"
Most doctors and scientists refer to the avian flu as
H5N1.
