Cockatiels first molt when they are 6 months old, when they are a year old and after that once every year. Molting lasts between 4 and 6 weeks. Molting can be affected due to climatic and environmental anomalies. If kept in regions where the climate is warm all through the year, they may drop only a few feathers at a time, but this will last all through the year. Molting is more noticeable in temperate regions. If your bird doesn't molt or you notice abnormal molting, you should have a vet check it out. As your Galah grows older, the risk of obesity increases. Stick to a low fat diet and make sure you give them a lot of exercise from a young age to prevent obesity when they are older. Molting Obesity All About Health Obesity makes them prone to many diseases, like idiopathic liver cirrhosis and the formation of lipomas. Lipomas are fatty tumors usually found on the lower part of the abdomen, close to the vent. If you notice such a tumor, take your pet to the vet immediately. If left unattended, they can become very big. A low fat diet and plenty of exercise prevent the growth of the tumor. This disease is also known as parrot herpes virus. Herpes virus causes acute viral hepatitis. The disease is almost unique to Pssitacines. The parrots of the Americas are said to be more susceptible than the parrots of Australia and Africa. The disease is frequently fatal. Infection takes a week or two to manifest itself. Indications are diarrhea, vommitting, yellow-green urates and shivering. The disease is infectious and is transmitted more frequently because of contaminated food and water. Airborne transmission is less frequent. This disease is a classic example where prevention is far better Pacheco's Disease All About Health than cure for the simple reason that it is normally considered untreatable. The onset is so sudden and deterioration so rapid that, the affected bird dies even before treatment is thought of. Although there is a vaccine available, cases of paralysis at the injection site have been reported. Studies have shown that Cockatoos are especially susceptible to this reaction. The only option, therefore, seems prevention. Proper husbandry procedures with special attention to hygiene ought to help. This disease manifests itself as wart-like lesions that occur on the surface of the cloacal vent or along the gastrointestinal region. It is thought that the disease is caused by a virus. The disease is infectious. Papillomas may be removed surgically or through cauterization where possible. The first part of treatment involves the isolation of the infected birds and the birds that have been in contact with infected birds. As the ailment takes time to progress, it is advisable to isolate Papillomatosis All About Health birds that could be infected through contact. Some vets suggest that no treatment be given unless the papillomas are debilitating or causing the bird specific problems. However a combination of home and veterinary care is the practical thing to do. In case wart-like lesions are noticed, it is best to approach a vet for care instructions. |