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BIRDS A wide variety of cage birds are kept as domestic pets including budgerigars, cockatiels, lovebirds, parrots, cockatoos, macaws, parakeets, mynahs, canaries and finches. Most are fruit and /or seed eaters, a few are insectivorous. Diet is important since malnutrition accounts for a high proportion of the clinical disease occurring in cage birds. Poor nutritional status and mineral deficiencies can compromise the birds immune system and predispose it to infectious disease. Please seek advice on the most suitable dietary content and variety. Cuttlefish or oystershell are an important source of calcium. Vitamin A is essential for proper functioning of the immune system and is plentiful in such foods as green vegetables, carrot and sweetcorn. All diets based purely on seeds are deficient in vitamin A. Obesity is a frequent cause of illness in cage birds, especially those kept singly with little exercise. Sunflower, safflower seeds and peanuts can be addictive to some parrots and dietary change can be difficult but is essential since these are high in fats and oils. Diets based purely on these foods result in fat deposition in the liver and blood vessels causing fatty liver disease and arteriosclerosis. Encourage birds to eat a wide variety of foods and good proprietary supplements can also be provided if required. A stimulating environment is important to prevent boredom which can result in feather plucking. This can be a serious problem especially in birds kept singly. Sick birds generally all present with similar symptoms, dull, lethargic, and 'fluffed up'. They are good at hiding signs of illness to prevent bullying from other birds in a flock, it means that they are generally seriously ill by the time they are presented at the vets surgery. Prompt attention is important. Below are topics which we are frequently asked about, I have listed briefly the common causes of illness. Always have your bird examined by a vet.
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