One common health concern that companion bird owners need to be aware of is coccidiosis. Which is a parasitic disease that can have a serious impact on the health of your feathered friend. In this blog post, we will delve into what coccidiosis is, how it can affect companion birds, and essential steps to prevent and treat this condition safely and effectively.
What is coccidiosis?
Coccidiosis is a potentially harmful parasitic disease caused by microscopic organisms known as coccidian protozoa. These parasites can infect the intestinal tract of birds, leading to various symptoms and health complications if left untreated. It is important for bird owners to be vigilant and proactive to prevent the spread of disease. Young birds are more susceptible to disease as their immune systems are compromised.
How does coccidiosis affect companion birds?
The symptoms shown by birds infected with coccidiosis can vary depending on the severity of the infection. If coccidiosis is left untreated nutritional deficiencies and dehydration can occur. In certain cases, the lack of prompt and effective treatment can lead to fatalities in birds.
Symptoms:
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Fluffed feathers
- Loose droppings
- Blood in droppings (black in colour)
Prevention and Management of Coccidiosis:
- Maintain proper hygiene: Regularly clean and disinfect your bird’s living area, including cages, perches, and feeding dishes, to minimize the risk of coccidiosis transmission. Avicare is a safe and effective way to remove any bacteria, fungi and viruses living in your bird’s aviary.
- Monitor bird health: If you notice a change in behaviour or unexplained diarrhea or lethargy, contact your vet.
- Provide a nutritious diet: Feed a diet that contains balanced and essential nutrients to support your bird’s needs. A healthy diet can help strengthen their immune system and help to fight off parasitic infections like coccidiosis.
Discovering common causes:
- Overcrowded areas
- Warm, humid and moist aviaries
- Contaminated water, with faeces or food
- A build-up of food and faeces on every floor
How to treat your bird and remove coccidiosis from their environment
Treatment of Coccidiosis in pigeons and ornamental birds is simple with Vetafarm’s Coccivet. It kills the parasites within your bird, which allows them to begin recovery. Our Coccidiosis treatment has much better activity against parasites than Sulphur treatments. Coccivet is completely safe, very effective, and mixes easily in water. After a bird is treated, the aviary should be cleaned and disinfected before being placed back in. The infection can lie dormant in the warm, moist conditions for weeks, meaning your birds will re-contract it. Routine cleaning with Avicare can safely remove viruses and bacteria.
Safeguard your bird’s health today and see them flourish in a safe and thriving environment with Vetafarm!
