Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Cockatiel Illnesses--3 Diseases To Be Aware As A Cockatiel Owner

Cockatiels are generally hardy birds which helps
make them one of the most popular pet birds.
However, there are illnesses that are specific to
the species.

Getting to know what is normal for your bird (and
normal can vary from one Cockatiel to another)
will help you to know when there is a problem and
allow you to get help quickly. Here are 3
descriptions of diseases and their symptoms.

Pacheco's Virus has proven to be nearly 100%
fatal because of its hard to detect symptoms and
aggressive attack on the bird's system. Caused by
the herpes virus, it is generally spread from one
bird to another through spoiled food, water, and
droppings; and birds that are stressed seem more
susceptible.

There has been some success in treatment with the
use of a vaccine, but it causes side effects that
are almost as problematic as the disease itself,
mainly tumors at the injection site, paralysis,
and death. It is the larger parrots that seem to
have most of the negative reactions to the
vaccine.

The best defense seems to be a powerful offense
on the owner's part by staying alert for any
changes in your bird's eating patterns,
elimination, energy level, or onset of discharge
of any kind and then getting your bird
professional help immediately.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease often
abbreviated as PBFD is cause by a
virus--psittacine circovirus 1 (PsCV-1), that
attacks the immune system that presents with loss
of feathers, deformed development of beaks,
nails, and claws. Birds showing any of these
symptoms should be immediately tested for the
disease as early detection increases the chance
of survival exponentially.

This disease spreads through airborne dander,
feather, dried fecal matter and secretions from
the infected bird, easily infects other birds,
but cannot be passed to humans. Fortunately, many
younger birds are able to survive, and if they do
their little bodies will be able to fend off any
further bouts because of the immunity their body
has developed.

Psittacosis sometimes referred to as Parrot Fever
or Bird Fancier's Lung (BFL), is a disease that
all species of birds are susceptible to, and one
that can be passed to humans as well. Pet birds
are the most frequent transmitters of the disease
especially many types of Parrots.

Luckily, it can be treated with antibiotics with
great success if it is caught early. There is a
good recovery rate for birds and humans. Spread
from minute particle of infected fecal matter
that dries and becomes airborne, it is a menace
to other birds as well.

Many diseases that affect Cockatiels spread from
inhalation of airborne contaminants. And whereas
nothing can guarantee your bird's health, an
excellent way to do more to protect your
Cockatiel's health and yours is to use a HEPA air
purifier to remove airborne wing dust, dander and
other pollutants before they can cause disease
and infection.

----------------------------------------------------
Clear the air for you and your Cockatiel with a
HEPA air purifier that removes their dust,
dander, and other airborne pollutants. See the
air purifier that can provide the best quality of
life possible at
http://purerair.com/bird_dust_air_purifier.html

EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=87645

>