About Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.
I have been a small animal practitioner since I graduated from Purdue University Veterinary School in 1975. I am the…
Ask An Expert: Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.
Browse by category: Parrot Care, Behaviour and Training, Conservation, Ethics and Welfare, Housing and Environmental Enrichment, General, Health and Nutrition
Hi! I need an advisec, My husband gave a Australian King Parrot about a year ago and he apperes to be fine, but this morning i found him dead, What are the possibilities of death by temperature changes, he was inside the house and the room temperature was 72F, my husband said that he needed to be in a higher temperature setting.
Thank you
Nancy
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
352-795-8901
Thank you
Nancy
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
352-795-8901
Answered by Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.:
Hi Nancy,I am sorry for the loss of your parrot. Unfortunately, due to birds' phenomenal ability to disguise symptoms of illness, we see far too many sudden, unexplained deaths in our companion parrots. Often, birds can have advanced disease and still be eating, active and appear perfectly normal. The only way to diagnose the possible cause of death in your bird is for a qualified avian veterinarian to perform a necropsy (the animal equivalent of an autopsy).
A normal, healthy parrot can live in far cooler temperatures because their down feathers provide excellent insulation. In fact, birds can better tolerate lower rather than higher environmental temperatures. I keep my birds in 60-65F temperature and this is what I recommend to my clients. If a bird is sick, they do need to be kept warmer. I would guess that being too cold was NOT the cause of your bird's death.
I recommend to my clients that they weigh their parrots weekly: a 5% drop in weight is enough to be cause for concern. I also stress the importance of an annual physical examination as a way to prevent or diagnose disease before it becomes too serious.
filed under: Health and Nutrition
How easy is it for our pet birds to get the h1n1 virus? If so what are the signs?
My thanks, Chris Karpo
My thanks, Chris Karpo
Answered by Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.:
Hi Chris- Thanks for this excellent and timely question! I just received this notice from the American Veterinary Medical Association regarding the H1N1 virus:"A cat in Iowa has tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, state officials confirmed this morning, marking the first time a cat has been diagnosed with this strain of influenza.
The cat, which has recovered, is believed to have caught the virus from someone in the household who was sick with H1N1. There are no indications that the cat passed the virus on to any other animals or people. Prior to this diagnosis, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus had been found in humans, pigs, birds and ferrets. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) are reminding pet owners that some viruses can pass between people and animals, so this was not an altogether unexpected event. Pet owners should monitor their pets' health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness.
The AVMA is actively tracking all instances of H1N1 in animals and posting updates on our Web site at http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus.
For more information, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA media relations assistant, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The AVMA and its more than 78,000 member veterinarians are engaged in wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at http://www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care."
filed under: Health and Nutrition
Hi, I am a new member, v glad to have found your site. Altho not a parrot
owner at present I have long been a fan of these wonderful creatures. In
the past I worked for many years with wild bird rescue and care in S
Africa. Recently I was minding an African Grey, and was surprised to notice
a pigeon fly [Hippoboscid Fly] on his back, which scurried underneath his
plumage before I could catch it. I know these flies well from the many wild
pigeons and doves that came my way in SA, and understood that the birds were
not bothered by the flies, but I was surprised to see this on a pet bird,
here in England! I believe this parrot came originally from Belgium, and is
not a wild-bred bird. He grooms/chews his feathers quite a lot, and has
quite rough, chewed feathers generally, tho no bald patches.
Can you explain or advise on this subject?
Many thanks
ros baillie-sparkes
owner at present I have long been a fan of these wonderful creatures. In
the past I worked for many years with wild bird rescue and care in S
Africa. Recently I was minding an African Grey, and was surprised to notice
a pigeon fly [Hippoboscid Fly] on his back, which scurried underneath his
plumage before I could catch it. I know these flies well from the many wild
pigeons and doves that came my way in SA, and understood that the birds were
not bothered by the flies, but I was surprised to see this on a pet bird,
here in England! I believe this parrot came originally from Belgium, and is
not a wild-bred bird. He grooms/chews his feathers quite a lot, and has
quite rough, chewed feathers generally, tho no bald patches.
Can you explain or advise on this subject?
Many thanks
ros baillie-sparkes
Answered by Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.:
Thanks for this interesting question, ros!The Hippoboscid fly (also called a flatfly or lousefly), is actually a louse with wings. The fly is flat so that it may slide between a bird's feathers. All lice suck blood and are very species-specific in their choice of animals to parasitize. This means that a parrot lousefly would not bother a pigeon or a crow or a person (we get our own species of lice).
Louseflies are found in birds all over the world, although, as you noted, they are rarely found on parrots kept in captivity. Of course, the biting of the lousefly can be very irritating and may be causing the bird to chew his feathers. I would also be concerned about other diseases: birds with lice often have underlying diseases which make the bird more likely to be parasitized.
I would definitely be taking this grey to your avian veterinarian for examination, diagnostic tests to determine other problems and treatment for the lice. Good luck!
filed under: Health and Nutrition
Hello. I'm reading Luescher's, "Manual of Parrot Behavior," and I have a question. On page 204 of chapter 17 you find this statement in reference toPBFD:
"Diagnosis is made through histopathology of an affected feather in combination with a PCR probe to help confirm the disease."
Can you tell me what a PCR probe is? Thank you.
Cindi Eppers
"Diagnosis is made through histopathology of an affected feather in combination with a PCR probe to help confirm the disease."
Can you tell me what a PCR probe is? Thank you.
Cindi Eppers
Answered by Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.:
Hi Cindi, A PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) probe is a DNA test done on a blood sample to determine the presence of DNA segments of specific viruses or other organisms (Chlamydia, Mycoplasma) in the bird's blood. This does not always mean the presence of disease. Laboratory tests must be interpreted in the light of a complete history and physical examination by a qualified avian veterinarian.Thanks for the great question!
Dr. Cook
filed under: Health and Nutrition
Hello, I just bought 3 Argenus air sterilizers by Hunter. They belong to model #: 30580. This is the data they give me regarding ozone output on these units:
"As a byproduct of the high voltage sterilization field, Argenus produces trace amounts of ozone - about 7 parts per billion, which is well below the FDA allowable limit of 50 parts per billion."
The level is low, but since a bird's respiratory system is so very sensitive, can you give me your take on this?
Do you think it's safe to run one in my birdroom? I have 18 parrots, all rescues except for one. The "birdroom" is about 14 by 14 feet square with a high ceiling and I have my conures in it. The other room is the main room of the house and is very large with a high ceiling. I have 6 birds in there, an amazon, a timneh grey, a conure and 3 tiels. The other room is my bedroom and I have a Patagonian Conure in there who has had a lifetime of sinus infections so he's kept away from the other birds since he's sick a lot. He was previously in the conure room but is being treated now and we aren't sure if he has a sinus or fungal infection. Since the conure room tends to be wetter and more humid than the other part of the house, mold is an issue. This is also a large room with an 8 foot ceiling. Each one of
these rooms has an air sterilizer in it of the same model.
I honestly don't know just how much 7 parts per billion is, relative to a bird's sensitivity. Any info would be helpful.
Cynthia (Cindi) Eppers
"As a byproduct of the high voltage sterilization field, Argenus produces trace amounts of ozone - about 7 parts per billion, which is well below the FDA allowable limit of 50 parts per billion."
The level is low, but since a bird's respiratory system is so very sensitive, can you give me your take on this?
Do you think it's safe to run one in my birdroom? I have 18 parrots, all rescues except for one. The "birdroom" is about 14 by 14 feet square with a high ceiling and I have my conures in it. The other room is the main room of the house and is very large with a high ceiling. I have 6 birds in there, an amazon, a timneh grey, a conure and 3 tiels. The other room is my bedroom and I have a Patagonian Conure in there who has had a lifetime of sinus infections so he's kept away from the other birds since he's sick a lot. He was previously in the conure room but is being treated now and we aren't sure if he has a sinus or fungal infection. Since the conure room tends to be wetter and more humid than the other part of the house, mold is an issue. This is also a large room with an 8 foot ceiling. Each one of
these rooms has an air sterilizer in it of the same model.
I honestly don't know just how much 7 parts per billion is, relative to a bird's sensitivity. Any info would be helpful.
Cynthia (Cindi) Eppers
Answered by Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.:
Hi Cindi,This is an excellent question and, unfortunately, one which causes much controversy. Some experts say there is no problem with ozone generators, others say the constant exposure of very low levels (0.12 parts per million) causes scarring in human lungs which can lead to respiratory disease.
You put it very well: "... a bird's respiratory system is so very sensitive". I would be concerned that repeated, frequent ozone generation, even at this very low concentration, would be detrimental to my bird's health.
My safest recommendation for the birdroom is to go with HEPA filters only, not air purifiers/sterilizers that produce any amount of ozone.
Thanks for asking!
Ellen K. Cook, DVM
filed under: Health and Nutrition
In a few months,our African Grey has gone from a healthy, talking parrot to a bird that is plucking all its feathers, weak voice, lost balance, difficulty perching,, no talking, shaking and stressed to the point where we feel we are losing her. Took her to vet, got Vitamin a shot. No luck.
She's too stressed now to travel for a blood test. We're at our wits end. Please help. What can be done?
Jerry
She's too stressed now to travel for a blood test. We're at our wits end. Please help. What can be done?
Jerry
Answered by Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.:
Hi Jerry- I am quite concerned about your Grey. Her symptoms suggest a serious health condition that needs the attention of a qualified avian veterinarian immediately. Some veterinarians do make house calls; you might check the Association of Avian Veterinarians AAV to locate the avian veterinarians in your area. If you cannot find a veterinarian who does house calls, you must then take your bird to a qualified avian veterinarian.Sometimes we have no choice but to do stressful things to save our birds' lives. If we don't, we will lose them for sure!
Good luck,
Dr.Cook
filed under: Health and Nutrition
I have a 19 year old cockatiel and have noticed that he sometimes opens his beak and it looks like he has hick-ups. I can hear air come up from his crop. He seems in good health and is eating well. Do you think this is a sign of illness? Hope to have a reply soon, thanks.
Answered by Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.:
There are several problems (infections, obstructions, etc.) that can cause a cockatiel to exhibit the symptoms that yours has. Birds are skilled at masking signs of illness, so I am most concerned about any unusual behavior I observe in a bird. I would recommend that you have your 'tiel examined by a qualified avian veterinarian as soon as possible.Dr.Cook
filed under: Health and Nutrition
My 6 year old African Grey seems to have a problem with growing her flight feathers on one wing. When I rehomed her 2 years ago she had all her primaries on the left wing and none on the right. Her first owner informed me that she played so hard that she frequently knocked out the primaries on this wing. At her first vet visit (a few days after rehoming) my vet advised to clip the left wing to keep her balanced while the right wing grew in. Since then all her primaries are back on the left wing and the primaries on the right wing have attempted to grow in 4-5 times, only to be knocked out when playing with her toys and wiping out or spooking and flapping to the ground. I have noticed that the primaries (especially the first two) on the right wing appear ragged when growing in compared to how the left ones come in. Marnie eats a balanced diet considered excellent by my vet which includes Harrisons pellets, fruits, veggies, nuts, grains, a cage mix free of sunflower and peanuts (avian naturals) and sprouts. All of these are a combination of dried, cooked and fresh. 95% of what she eats is Organic and that which is not is pesticide, preservative etc free. She is offered a herb mix (twin beaks aviaries) free fed and a supplement of OptOmega recommended by my vet. She get everything except her cooked foods via foraging toys which she loves using. She averages 4-12 hours out of the cage on a large playscape every day. Her cage is 28"X42"X66" with a variety of toys and perches. Could you please offer any advice as to how to help her grow in her right primaries without breaking them and have them grow in healthy so that she may finally regain the flight that she so desperately wants?
Answered by Ellen K. Cook, D.V.M.:
Hi-First, I must commend you for rehoming Marnie; I know that rehomed parrots take lots of effort, but they repay that many times over! It appears that you are giving Marnie a great diet and a wonderful environment.
Unfortunately, Marnie's situation with breaking blood feathers is not an unusual one in clipped birds when the primaries (the first ten wing feathers) grow out. Normally, primaries usually molt and regrow one at a time; as the new feather regrows, it is supported and protected by the older, mature primary feathers on either side.
There are a couple of things I would recommend to help Marnie:
1. Keep her left wing trimmed while her right wing feathers grow in to keep her more balanced. This may take a year or more, as feathers normally molt every two years.
2. Keep her perches low in her cage and playstand, pad the floor with towels or blankets and put her toys downm low, so that if she does fall, she won;'t go far.
It takes time to resolve this kind of problem, but our parrots will be with us for many, many years, so a year is not that long in the scheme of things. Keep up the good work you have already begun, persistence will pay off!
filed under: Parrot Care
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