COMMON COCKATIEL WEANING DISEASES IN 2000

Several diseases were commonly seen this year (2000) in newly weaned birds post sale

1. Megabacteria

  • Weight loss with often increased appetite;

  • "Fluffed up";

  • Unusual droppings (mucousy sticky droppings and/or whole seeds passed in droppings);

  • Occasional vomiting and/or swollen abdomen.

Birds can be treated with amphotericin-B (Fungillin) by crop needle or, in aviary circumstances, by an in water medication (Megabac-S). The treatment period is 10 days. Post treatment the droppings should be re-examined for megabacteria.Not all birds recover despite treatment.

2. Chlamydia/Psittacosis

  • "Fluffed up" and lethargic;

  • Conjunctivitis and sinusitis;

  • Yellowish to greenish droppings; Difficulty breathing;

  • Weight loss and dehydration; Death.

Doxycycline is the preferred treatment for Chlamydiosis. The treatment is for 45 days.

The medication is available as an in water medication or preferably by weekly injections.

3. Intestinal Motile Protozoa (giardia and cochlosoma)

  • Loose malodorous stools and mucoid diarrhoea

  • Weight loss, depression and anorexia

  • Dry skin and feather picking on the flank and axilla are the most common signs in older cockatiels

  • Poor growth and/or death in young cockatiels

Birds can be treated with Ronidazole (Ronnivet-S) in water for 7 days. Metronidazole (Flagyl) has also been used in the past, orally for 2-10 days.

4. Roundworm

  • "Fluffed up"

  • Severe Weight loss

  • Swollen abdomen

  • Death

Round worm treatments including Moxidectin and Panacur or other standard wormers

Treat or test all adult birds PRIOR to breeding

Bird & Exotics Vet