Cockatiel Diseases – A Description Of 3 Pet Cockatiel Illnesses

Cockatiels make great pets, and are generally happy healthy birds. They are susceptible to a few diseases that you should be aware of.

Getting to know what is normal for your bird (and normal can vary from one Cockatiel to another) will help you to know when there is a problem and allow you to get help quickly. Here are 3 descriptions of diseases and their symptoms.

Pacheco’s Virus has proven to be nearly 100% fatal because of its hard to detect symptoms and aggressive attack on the bird’s system. Caused by the herpes virus, it is generally spread from one bird to another through spoiled food, water, and droppings; and birds that are stressed seem more susceptible.

Success at treating the disease has been sketchy. The vaccine often causes complications that the already weakened bird is not able to overcome. It is the larger parrots that seem to have most of the negative reactions to the vaccine.

The best defense seems to be a powerful offense on the owner’s part by staying alert for any changes in your bird’s eating patterns, elimination, energy level, or onset of discharge of any kind and then getting your bird professional help immediately.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease often abbreviated as PBFD is cause by a virus–psittacine circovirus 1 (PsCV-1), that attacks the immune system that presents with loss of feathers, deformed development of beaks, nails, and claws. Early detection is one of the best ways to help your bird survive. And remember, once you see symptoms the disease has usually progressed to a very serious stage.

This disease spreads through airborne dander, feather, dried fecal matter and secretions from the infected bird, easily infects other birds, but cannot be passed to humans. Fortunately, many younger birds are able to survive, and if they do their little bodies will be able to fend off any further bouts because of the immunity their body has developed.

Psittacosis sometimes referred to as Parrot Fever or Bird Fancier’s Lung (BFL), is a disease that all species of birds are susceptible to, and one that can be passed to humans as well. Pet birds are the most frequent transmitters of the disease especially many types of Parrots.

Because it is caused by virus-like bacteria, it can be effectively treated with antibiotics when detected early. There is a good recovery rate for birds and humans. Spread from minute particle of infected fecal matter that dries and becomes airborne, it is a menace to other birds as well.

The spread of many diseases occurs when bacteria and viruses attach to airborne particulates and are then inhaled and/or ingested by their next host. And whereas nothing can guarantee your bird’s health, an excellent way to do more to protect your Cockatiel’s health and yours is to use a HEPA air purifier to remove airborne wing dust, dander and other pollutants before they can cause disease and infection.