How to Spot Signs of Illness in Quaker Parrots

There are a variety of things you can do to keep a Quaker parrot healthy and happy. One key thing you can do is to keep an eye out for signs of illness in your bird. This will allow you to get illnesses treated before they become serious or life threatening. In order to do this, you will need to know the signs to look for and you will need to look for them on a regular basis. With some care and effort, you will be able to spot any signs of illness so that your bird can get proper veterinary care and treatment as soon as possible.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Identifying Signs of Illness

1
Look for signs of fatty liver disease. In order to spot an illness before it becomes serious, you should be on the lookout for the symptoms of illnesses that are common to Quakers. One of the most common illnesses for Quakers is fatty liver disease. The symptoms for this condition include:^{[1]XResearch source}
- Obesity. Obesity due to excessive seed eating can lead to fatty liver disease. Weigh your bird on a regular basis to assess whether it has gained weight.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Diarrhea. This occurs in connection to fatty liver disease because the digestive system is not working properly. Look for liquid droppings in your bird's cage to identify diarrhea. Keep in mind that diarrhea could be a sign of something else and it doesn't mean your bird has fatty liver disease.
- Abnormal beak growth. The beak will grow quickly and irregularly if your bird has fatty liver disease. Look at its beak regularly to spot any abnormal growth.
- Bruising on the beak or toenails. This appears as black spots on the beak and toenails, so can typically be spotted when you are handling your bird.
2
Look for patches of missing feathers. It is fairly common for Quakers to get a physical and mental condition that causes them to pluck their own feathers out excessively. While it is common for birds to preen their feathers and pull out ones that are broken or damaged, excessive feather plucking is a sign of an obsessive-compulsive illness, parasites, or another health issue.
- Watch your bird to see if it is pulling out numerous feathers. You may also notice bald areas on your bird or an excessive amount of feathers on the bottom of your bird's cage.
3
Look for other physical signs of illness. There are also a variety of physical symptoms that can signal some sort of illness. These are general signs of illness that should prompt you to take your bird to be seen by a veterinarian so that the cause can be determined. Some symptoms of illness that should be taken seriously include:^{[3]XResearch source}
- Drainage from the eyes or nostrils. This can signal problems with the bird's sinus or respiratory system. Look for damp areas below your bird's eyes and nostrils.
- Difficulty breathing. This can be a symptom of respiratory problems. Listen to your bird's breathing on a regular basis so you can identify when it has changed.
- Ruffled feathers. This suggests that the bird is lethargic and unable to care for itself properly. Look at your bird's feathers regularly and watch your bird to make sure it is grooming itself.
- Trembling. This can occur because the bird has a fever or is in shock due to illness. Trembling is usually very evident, as the bird will be shaking uncontrollably.
- Abnormal eye color. This can signal disease in the eye. Have it looked at by a vet for signs of cataracts or an eye infection.
- Falling off perches. Problems with your bird's sinus' or other body systems can cause it to become off balance.
- Digestive problems. Look for changes to the bird's droppings and appetite. Digestive problems can indicate a wide variety of diseases.
4
Pay attention to changes in behavior. In addition to physical symptoms of illness, your bird may show signs of illness through changes in its behavior. Spotting these symptoms requires that you spend time with your bird on a regular basis so that you can gauge when its personality changes. Some changes that may signal illness include:^{[4]XResearch source}
- Inactivity. If your bird is hesitant to move, it may mean it is in pain or out of energy.
- Aggression. This can result from pain or discomfort.
- Change in response to food or toys. Your bird may change many of its behaviors if it is feeling ill or it is in pain.
- Change in daily activities. Movement and motivations can be altered when your bird is sick.
- Increase or decrease in food or water consumption. Problems with the bird's digestion and organs can change its food and water consumption.
5
Assess your Quaker's health regularly. When you know what to look for as far as illness goes, you need to look for symptoms on a regular basis. Assess the health of your bird daily by spending time with it to gauge its mood and look at its physical condition. Take a close look at its feathers, wings, eyes, beak, and feet.
- Looking over your bird's body regularly will help you to spot when their health changes, as you will have a baseline to start from.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Illness

1
Have your bird assessed by a veterinarian. If you spot any signs of illness in your bird, you should have it looked at by a vet. As soon as you notice an issue, call your vet and make an appointment to take your bird in right away.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you are unsure whether to bring your bird in to see a veterinarian, call the vet's office. Describe your bird's symptoms to the office staff, and they will suggest what action you should take.
- If your normal veterinary clinic is not open when you decide your bird needs care, then take it to the emergency veterinary clinic that is closest to you.
2
Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment. Depending on your bird's illness, treatment will vary dramatically. Be sure to complete all courses of prescribed medications. Also pay close attention to the vet’s instructions for feeding, housing, quarantine, and any other directions for care.^{[6]XResearch source}
- In the case of fatty liver disease, a common ailment in Quaker parrots, your veterinarian is likely to suggest changing your bird's diet to decrease the amount of fat they are eating and increasing the amount of water they consume until hydration levels normalize.
- While your Quaker is at the veterinary office, your veterinarian may give it IV fluids and medication.
3
Provide ongoing care for an ill bird. If you want your bird to recover from its illness, you will need to give ongoing care that promotes healing. This can include keeping it in a low-stress environment, keeping its cage clean, and making sure the bird is kept warm and comfortable. Proper care such as this can help ensure that the condition clears up and that it does not occur again.
- When caring for a recovering Quaker, you also need to ensure that it is eating well. Proper nutrition can go a long way towards helping your bird heal itself.
- Keep an eye on your bird's health, make sure it is recovering, and contact the veterinarian if symptoms return, increase, or continue without change.
In some cases of illness, such as feather plucking, there are a variety of lifestyle changes that can help your bird's condition. Increasing the amount of humidity around the bird, eliminating boredom, and changing its diet can all make a huge difference for birds that have been diagnosed with a mental disorder.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Illness

1
Clean your bird's cage regularly. One of the best ways to keep your bird healthy is to keep its home clean. You should do basic cleaning every day and a thorough cleaning at least once a month. Cleaning a bird's cage regularly and thoroughly will eliminate bacteria and viruses that could harm your bird's health.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Basic cleaning should be done every day. This includes cleaning out your Quaker's water dish, food dishes, and the bottom liner of the bird's cage.
- Your Quaker's cage should be thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom at minimum monthly but ideally weekly. When cleaning a bird's cage, you can simply use hot water and soap. This will eliminate bacteria and viruses living on the cage.
- Make sure the cage is located in a warm spot that's out of direct sunlight and not near any drafts.
2
Get your bird regular check-ups. To make sure that your Quaker stays healthy, you should have it looked at by a veterinarian regularly. Annual checkups are a great way to catch developing illnesses and to get them treated before they become serious or life threatening.
- Discuss a schedule for check-ups with your veterinarian. If your bird has a history of illness, your vet may want to see it more often than every year.
3
Provide your Quaker with interaction and entertainment. In addition to providing for your bird's veterinary health, you also need to care for its mental health. Be sure to interact with it every day and stimulate its mind with a variety of games and toys. Giving your bird something to do will increase its overall health in the long term.
- Quaker parrots should be kept in an area where they feel like part of the family. They love to see the activity of the house and to interact with passers by. Place your parrot's cage in your family room or dining room instead of a lonely spare bedroom where they don't get a lot of stimulation.
4
Quarantine new birds before introducing them into your home. In order to keep your existing bird healthy, you should keep new birds separated from it for several weeks so you can assess their health. Look for signs that your new bird is sick and don't put it in the same room as your existing bird until all illnesses are eliminated.
- During quarantine, you should keep all toys, tools, and supplies separate between your old bird and your new bird. Don't create cross contamination by using the same water dish or toy in both cages without sanitizing them in between uses.
Advertisement