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592 Hand-Rearing Birds

Table 39.2 Common medical problems of wild parrot chicks. See Hawkins et al. (2018) for drug dosing
information.

Issue Treatment(s) Notes

Roundworms Ivermectin (oral or injectable) Don’t treat severely debilitated birds until they are
(Ascaris) and stable.
ectoparasites

Capillaria Fenbendazole
Tapeworms Praziquantel Bird might exhibit neurological symptoms, especially
head incoordination when attempting to eat. Many
dewormers with praziquantel contain ivermectin, so
take care not to overdose.
Bacterial Antibiotic In young chicks, use in conjunction with nystatin
infections (GI) against secondary yeast infections.
Fungal Antifungal Usually nystatin for yeast infection, use a systemic
infections (GI) antifungal, such as fluconazole or terbinafine, if
systemic infection is suspected.
Fungal Antifungal Avoid creams or ointments as these can seriously
infections damage the feathers. Gentian violet can safely be used
(external or for mild infections (Maley and Arbiser 2013).
mouth)
Crop stasis Flush and give clay water. New intakes (diet changes, stress) may need
Analyze flush for microbial or 24–36 hours to adjust. Give oral fluids, massage crop,
parasitic issues and wait for changes. Treat with antibiotics or
antifungal if needed according to lab results.
Prokinetics can be added also in advanced cases. Re‐
start feeding with very diluted food and small amounts
but multiple meals a day, making sure the crop is
mostly empty between meals.
Splayed legs Toggle (hobble) legs with tape Caused by smooth substrate in nest or poor care.
at mid‐tarsometatarsus for Usually not reversible in adults. Can cause foot
2–3 weeks, change regularly deformities and difficulties with egg incubation.
according to growth
Broken blood Grip the base of the bleeding Make sure the whole root of the feather is removed
feather feather with hemostats and, otherwise the bleeding might restart later and can
holding the wing firmly promote infection in the affected follicle. Do under
where the feather is attached, anesthesia in nervous birds. Consider using pain
pull the feather straight out of medication after the procedure as some flight feathers
its follicle and apply pressure are anchored in the bone.
until the bleeding stops
Respiratory Antibiotics and/or antifungal Identify quickly as it can be deadly in birds.
infections Enrofloxacin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid are usually
good choices. In case of older birds with suboptimal
diet or hygiene, consider adding antifungal drugs
(terbinafine, itraconazole) and supplement in vitamin
A. Vitamin A deficiency is often an underlying cause.
Pododermatitis Depends on the severity Mild: improve perches (use natural branches of various
(bumblefoot) sizes, around 40–60% of the perch circumference
should be covered by the parrot’s feet) and supplement
with vitamin A.
Advanced: bandaging, pain medication, antibiotics,
and wound care might be needed. In very severe cases,
surgery might be needed.