Bird Diarrhea Treatment %100

What Causes Diarrhea in Birds, How Is It Treated ?

                                       

What Causes Diarrhea in Birds, How is it Treated ?

In this publication, What Causes Diarrhea in Birds? What Are the Symptoms of Diarrhea in Birds? How is Diarrhea Treated in Birds? you can find answers to your questions such as:

What Is Diarrhea in Birds?

Diarrhea in birds is defined as increased, slimy to watery stools. The color of normal bird droppings is usually dark green to dark brown, while the color of diarrhea is yellowish-green, reddish or sometimes gray. Consistency, color and odor are often changed.

Diarrhea in birds is not a stand-alone disease, but a symptom of an existing underlying disease such as a viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection. Diarrhea in birds is often the result of stress or malnutrition.

What are the Causes of Diarrhea in Birds?

• The causes of diarrhea in birds can be varied. The most common causes are:
• Viral infections such as paramyxovirus
• Bacterial infections such as Mycobacteria, Escherichia coli, salmonella, pseudomonas, Pasteurella, listeria, as well as Enterococci, Streptococci and staphylococci
• Chlamydia infection (also known as psittacosis or parrot disease): If the bird is showing signs of respiratory illness such as shortness of breath in addition to diarrhea, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.
• Fungal infections, eg Candida albicans, Macrorhabdus ornithogaster
• Parasites such as protozoa (trichomonas, giardia) and worms
• Feed change or malnutrition
• Diseases of the liver, pancreas, kidney, cloaca or intestines
• Metabolic disorders (eg diabetes mellitus or impaired lipid metabolism)
• Kidney or colon tumors
• Poisoning from plants or heavy metals such as avocados
• Hormonal disorders
• Stress

What are the Symptoms of Diarrhea in Birds?

In birds, diarrhea is manifested by an increase in slimy to watery stools, which may also contain undigested food and blood. The color of diarrhea depends on the cause. However, stools often appear greenish yellow, reddish or gray. The cloaca is also mostly smeared and sticky. Diarrhea in birds is often accompanied by loss of appetite, fluffing of feathers and increased thirst. If the bird's diarrhea lasts longer, the animal usually loses weight significantly.

Because the bird excretes excrement and urine together, in some cases it is not possible to clearly distinguish between "true" diarrhea and increased urine output. True diarrhea in birds is mainly expressed by a varying, highly liquefied consistency. However, diarrhea can usually be ruled out if stool is clearly forming and the bird is only excreting more urine (polyuria).

                                           

What Causes Diarrhea in Birds, How Is It Treated ?

How Is Diarrhea Diagnosed in Birds?

The veterinarian first diagnoses diarrhea in the bird using a stool sample, which he examines under a microscope. In this way, it can pinpoint the pathogen causing diarrhea, for example certain bacteria. If there is reason to suspect that the bird is suffering from a fungal infection or parasite infestation, the vet will also perform a crop rinse. To do this, he carefully rinses the bird's crop and examines a sample of the rinsed solution under a microscope.

To detect a viral infection, the vet will take a blood sample. If a kidney or intestinal tumor is suspected, imaging methods such as X-ray examination with contrast material or ultrasound examination (sonography) are also used.

If the bird with diarrhea lives with several animals in the cage, as a precaution other animals should be examined and treated if necessary.

How to Treat Diarrhea in Birds?

Since diarrhea in birds is always a symptom of an underlying disease or acute disorder, treatment is based on the cause. Bacterial infections can be well treated with antibiotics. When choosing the antibiotic, the pre-detection of the pathogen under the microscope plays a decisive role. This examination allows the veterinarian to prescribe a specific antibiotic that acts specifically against the pathogen in question.

Antifungal agents called antimycotics help against fungal infections as a cause of diarrhea in birds. During the treatment, it is recommended not to give the bird any fruit for food, as fructose promotes the growth of the fungus. It is important to pay attention to sustainable hygiene to prevent its recurrence, especially if the bird has a fungal infection.

For most viral infections, there is no treatment that specifically fights the virus. Here the veterinarian usually prescribes drugs that relieve diarrhea in the bird. Severe herpes infections ("Pacheco" disease) can also be treated with acyclovir. It is an antiviral that inhibits the reproduction of the herpes virus.

Antiparasitics are used when the bird is infected with parasites, eg trichomonads (protozoa) and infested with ronidazole. At the same time, strict hygiene measures are applied to the cage or aviary, as with a fungal infection.

If the cause of diarrhea in the bird is organic disorders, treatment depends on the exact cause. Whether drug therapy is an option and whether it is promising depends on how severe the disorder is. Liver and kidney tumors in birds are generally incurable.

Poisoning can also cause diarrhea in the bird. In these cases, the veterinarian usually administers special drugs (adsorbents) to the bird that bind toxins and remove them from the body, such as barium sulfate in case of heavy metal poisoning.

Birds are sensitive animals that often respond to food changes and stress with diarrhea. If organic disorders, poisoning and infectious diseases can be excluded as the cause of the symptoms, it is recommended to closely monitor the animal's dietary habits and environment. The veterinarian can provide helpful tips on proper bird feeding and where best to place the cage. For example, because stress occurs within a group of birds as a result of territorial wars, separation of the group may be an alternative to reduce stress on animals.

Diarrhea in birds can sometimes cause life-threatening dehydration. For this reason, the fluid balance of the bird must also be balanced. Deficiency symptoms can also be the result of diarrhea. There are special preparations from the veterinarian containing electrolytes, minerals, vitamins and trace elements. In addition, it makes sense to regularly check the cloaca area and clean it with a damp cotton swab. This prevents the cloacas from sticking together, which can cause cloacal obstruction under certain conditions.