Common Health Problems in Birds
A Guide to the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments of Common Bird Illnesses Birds are popular pets that may add beauty and intellect to their owners' lives. They can, however, suffer from a variety of illnesses and ailments that can negatively impact their health and well-being. Psittacosis, a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans; proventricular dilatation disease, a neurological disorder that affects the digestive system; psittacine beak and feather disease, a viral infection that causes abnormal feather growth and beak deformities; candidiasis, a fungal infection that affects the mouth, crop, and digestive tract; and respiratory tract infection, a condition that causes breathing problems, are some of the common health problems in birds; Gout, a metabolic condition in which uric acid crystals build in the joints and organs; and eye disorders such as cataracts, conjunctivitis, and glaucoma. Depending on the nature and severity of the problem, these diseases can have a...