Sign of Illness in African Grey Parrots
Sign of Illness in Gray Parrots
There are early warning signs that your Gray Parrot might be becoming ill. Below are some possible / potential illness signs in an African Gray. These helpful tips are information only and are indications of a potential or possible illness. If there is any doubt in your mind, contact your avian veterinarian immediately. They are there to assist you in the care and health of your bird.
- Activity. Sudden listlessness; sleeping when it normally does not; being quiet when it normally isn’t; decreased or not eating and/or drinking.
- Droppings (“poop”). Any observable change in urates (white part) or feces lasting more than a day or two.
- Diarrhea. Shows up as undigested food, droppings that don’t have the three distinct parts (green/brown, white and liquid urine), and weight loss. If you think your grey has diarrhea, contact your vet immediately.
- Weight Loss. Your bird feels “light” when you pick it up, keel bone becomes more prominent.
- Feathers. Abnormal looking feathers including things such as a prolonged molt or continuous presence of pinfeathers; unusual or dull color; broken, bent, picked or chewed feathers; fluffed up feathers all the time.
- Sneezing. Our bird makes the noise of a “sneeze” and imitates the different sneeze from each person in the house – what you’re looking for is “their” sneeze with a possible discharge. Look for stained feathers over the nares or around the face or vent and / or crusty material in or around the nostrils.
- Regurgitating / Vomiting. Grays and all birds regurgitate as a sign of “affection” – you’re looking for long periods of time which could indicate a crop infection.
- Respiration. Signs of respiratory distress can include tail bobbing up and down with each breath and a change in breathing sounds, wheezing or clicking noise when it inhales.
- Balance. Falling off its perch and huddling at the bottom of cage.
- Eyes. Appear dull and / or squinting; redness, swelling or loss of feathers around the eyes.
- Feet. Scaly, flakiness, baldness or sores on the bottom of the feet.
- Head. Excessive head bobbing and shaking.
Source / Credits. http://www.african-grey-parrot.com/African-Grey-Illness-Signs.aspx
