How do you tell if your bird is sick?

ButtonHow do you tell if your bird is sick?
ButtonActually this is alot harder than it sounds! Birds rarely ever get sick. It is better to protect your bird from the possibility. Prevention IS the best medicine. It is not uncommon for a bird to become sick with a cold and die before the owner even knows that the bird was sick. It is not that the cold cannot be treated, it is that the bird will hide the sickness from you! In the wild, any sick bird will be stalked and killed by other birds if they allow the sickness to be seen. So to keep from getting killed (they do not like that) they will not allow themselves to look sick! Some signs to look for are;
ButtonLoose or runny bowel movements.NOTE: It also is not uncommon for this to happen. Just beware that this condition does not last for extensive periods of time.
ButtonSleeps alot.NOTE: Birds do sleep alot, or common. They will be active for 30 minutes (more or less) then might sleep for the same amount of time unless somthing exciting happens.
ButtonDoes not seem to sleep.NOTE: It is common for a bird to sleep most all the day if no one is at home, so then the bird will become active when you get home for extended periods of time..
ButtonListlessnessUncommon listlessness, you should take the bird to the vet immediately for treatment.
ButtonNot eating.This can be serious. Take the bird to the vet immediately to be checked.
ButtonNOTE:It is common for a new pet to hide its eating habits. They are a master at making you think that things are not normal anyway! Just watch in this situation for excessive weight loss, they will eat but only when not being watched. They will become acclimated to their new surroundings and soon start to eat in front of you.
ButtonAn uncommon odor.DO NOT WAIT AN HOUR!! This can be serious. Take the bird to the vet immediately for treatment.
ButtonDizzyness, and lack of balance.DO NOT WAIT AN HOUR!! This can be serious. Take the bird to the vet immediately for treatment.

ButtonSome good preventative techniques are;
  1. Feed the birds a good balanced diet (seed, green vegitibles, and fruit). With treats to keep them happy! :)
  2. Keep their cage clean.
  3. Change their water daily, they LOVE to take baths, so the water they drink needs to be fresh.
  4. Give them fresh food.
  5. Keep them out of drafty areas, the draft will cause a bird to get sick faster than cold air alone.
  6. Keep them out of the cold. You can tell if they are cold by holding them, if their feet are cold, then they might be cold too.
  7. KEEP THEM AWAY FROM CATS!!!!
ButtonYou cannot transfer a cold or flu to a bird nor can you catch a cold or virus from your bird. It is only possible (slightly possible) in extreme conditions of filth.

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