Cockatiels:

Most bird owners never forget their first pet cockatiel. They basically start the learning process for avian medicine and pet bird health care. Cockatiels make some of the best pets of any bird species.  They are smart, affectionate, great with kids. If purchasing a cockatiel make sure that you get one that is very well socialized. When cockatiels are between 4 to 8 weeks of age they need a lot of contact with people. If they do not get this contact they are never as friendly and affectionate as a well socialized cockatiel.

I have a spot in my heart for cockatiels and I really enjoy working with them and their owners. Even though they are small birds, avian veterinarians can perform the same quality of avian medicine as we do in larger birds. For a complete blood count and a comprehensive chemistry panel, a veterinarian needs less than 1.0 milliliter of blood, which can be safely drawn from a cockatiel. If you take good care of your cockatiel, you can have a wonderful, funny pet bird for many years to come. Many cockatiels live to be 30 years of age.  To help you with that care, I’ve outlined nine areas that cockatiels diseases and conditions fall into.
 

Yearly Medical Care

Cockatiels need a complete physical exam and gram stain yearly. At that time diet and health preventative issues are discussed. It is important to monitor body wt with an inexpensive food scale at least twice weekly. The only symptom of most illnesses is wt loss.  Since 90% of diseases in cockatiel are prevented by good nutrition and proper preventative care and knowledge - this is the most economical approach to cockatiel medicine.

It is optimum to do a yearly biochemical profile, complete cell count, live blood analysis and culture for abnormal bacteria and fungus. A cockatiel can appear very normal on a physical exam even when suffering from liver, kidney, metabolic diseases and even some infections.   A thorough medical exam to detect these problems typically costs  around $400 – no different than a similar exam for a larger parrot.

Nutritional Problems

Seeds are the number one cause of death in cockatiels. A 100% seed diet is a cockatiel-death diet.  If you give a cockatiel a variety of food with the option of seed – all they will eat is seed. Just like kids with candy.    

Offer them a balanced diet of pellets, fresh vegetables, some healthy table foods and some fresh fruits. Never pay any attention to appetite or appearances of eating in cockatiels, only monitor the body weight. The number one health problem in cockatiels is   malnutrition, calcium/ Vit D deficiency,  vitamin-A deficiency and obesity – all the result of a 100% seed or commonly referred to as the cockatiel death diet.

It is best to introduce a well-balanced pellet diet to weaning birds at an early age, so that they become accustomed to eating them, in addition to other healthful foods. Do not abruptly change the diet of any bird without first ascertaining that the bird is healthy. Please check with your avian veterinarian before attempting dietary conversions.

Obese cockatiels may develop lipomas, which are benign fatty tumors. These may be found over the crop area, the chest, or most commonly, the abdomen. Xanthomas, which are yellow benign fatty tumors, can also occur. Surgery may be necessary, especially if the skin over the tumor ulcerates, but often the tumors might recur, unless changes are made in the diet and activity level.

Obese birds usually have some degree of liver problems. When fat is deposited in the liver, normal liver cells are replaced with fat, and over time, if enough normal liver tissue is destroyed, the liver may become cirrhotic. Cockatiels with fatty liver, also called hepatic lipidosis, usually suffer from some degree of liver dysfunction and may bleed excessively, because the liver is responsible for providing clotting factors in the blood. Hepatic lipidosis is very serious and can be fatal. Birds on an all-seed diet are prime candidates for hepatic lipidosis.

Thyroid dysfunction may result in obesity; however, this is rarely documented. Toxins such as aflatoxins from seeds  result in fatty changes in the liver. Steroid administration (from topical ointments) or hormone injections (with methylprogesterone, for example) can cause a bird to gain weight.

Cockatiels with liver disease may develop overgrown toenails and beaks, but there are other non-liver related causes for these problems. The best indicator for liver disease in birds is the bile acids test in plasma or serum, but to definitively diagnose liver disease, a liver biopsy is necessary.

Kidney Problems

Some cockatiels suffer from renal (kidney) disease. This primarily due to the fungal toxins found in seeds called aflatoxins or  from an imbalance in the diet of  calcium, phosphorus and Vit D3.

Kidney disease may be difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Birds may be lethargic, weak and stop eating. GI signs can be seen in adult birds with advanced or severe kidney disease. Birds may develop visceral or articular gout from any severe renal dysfunction. Lameness may be noted as the first sign of renal cancer, which is a result of direct compression of the nerves to the leg and foot.

Testing for renal disease is problematic. The plasma or serum uric acid value may support a tentative diagnosis of renal disease. However, the uric acid level only elevates when the kidney function falls below 30 percent. Urinalysis should be performed on all cockatiels suspected of having renal disease, and casts, red blood cells or white blood cells can all help in the diagnosis.

Radiographs (x-rays) to determine renal size, density and mineralization may help support a diagnosis. Endoscopic biopsy of the kidney can help determine the type of renal disease present. Polyomavirus can cause kidney problems and vitamin-A deficiency can also cause renal disease.
 
Parasitic Problems

 While we usually see scaly mites (caused by the Knemidokoptes) in budgies, it can occur in cockatiels and other species of birds. This type of mite often causes crusty lesions on the face, around the eyes and beak, feet and vent.
 
Red mites (Dermanyssus sp.) can infest many species of bird. They are very contagious between birds of different species and they suck blood. They are visible to the naked eye as a tiny speck of red or black pepper. Red mites remain off the bird during the day, and climb on the host to take a blood meal at night. For this reason, the mites can be difficult to diagnose during a daytime veterinary examination. They can bite people if birds are absent. These parasites are very  rare in pet birds.

The best way to attempt diagnosis is to cover the cage at night with a white sheet, remove it in the morning and inspect for mites. In large numbers, they can cause anemia, and they also interfere with the bird’s normal sleep pattern.

I occasionally see feather or quill mites on the primary and secondary feathers of cockatiels here in Florida. Because birds from our semi-tropical environment are shipped all around the country, there is a chance that these mites can be found on pet cockatiels just about anywhere.

Flagellated protozoa, such as Giardia and Hexamita, can occur in cockatiels. In my experience, a high percentage of cockatiels that are feather pickers are harboring flagellated protozoa. Intestinal roundworms, called ascarids, can also infest cockatiels.
 
It is not necessary for birds to be kept in walk-in aviaries (with access to the ground) or be housed in substandard conditions to harbor these parasites. Because roundworms have a direct life-cycle in psittacines, they can pass from bird to bird from worm eggs being shed in the droppings. Again, because cockatiels are often bred outdoors in Florida and shipped throughout the country, even if you are in a part of the country where intestinal parasites are not usually a problem, don’t discount the possibility of ascarids. Fecal tests are often not very helpful in diagnosing these worms, because the GI transit time is so fast that the eggs don’t have a chance to build up.
 

Infectious Diseases

Fungal infections, most commonly with Candida (yeast-like fungi), sometimes occur in young cockatiels or in adults suffering from hypovitaminosis A. Also, candidiasis can occur in birds that have been on antibiotic therapy, usually for a long period of time. Aspergillosis can occur in cockatiels, most often in the immunosuppressed individual or in a bird housed in very dirty, wet conditions where the Aspergillus spores thrive.

  Bacterial infections can occur, involving any organ system. This can happen after an injury, or if the bird is stressed or immune-compromised from another disease. Dirty water bowls can harbor potentially dangerous bacterial organisms and these bacteria can multiply exponentially by the hour. For this reason, I recommend water bottles for many pet and breeder birds.
 
Avian Gastric Yeast (AGY, formally know as mega bacteria) can be found in the proventriculus of healthy and clinically ill birds, as well. It can be difficult to diagnose in a live bird, but look for the symptoms: chronic weight loss, problems swallowing, vomiting/regurgitation, diarrhea and death. Gram’s staining of crop material, proventricular wash fluid or droppings may show the classic organism, although it is not always present on every sample.

Psittacosis, caused by Chlamydophila sp., is a problem in cockatiels, as the organism is quite well-adapted to surviving in these birds. It too can be difficult to diagnose in live birds and has the possibility of causing disease in humans, as well. It can cause respiratory signs, conjunctivitis, liver disease, GI signs and systemic disease. In many cases, the infected cockatiel may remain asymptomatic, but many still shed the organism during times of stress.
 
Another disease, called mycoplasmosis, can also cause conjunctivitis, respiratory signs, rhinitis and upper respiratory disease. This can be difficult to diagnose by tissue culture, because it is possible to get false negatives on this type of testing. A newer DNA PCR for mycoplasmosis can often help in procuring a diagnosis.

Viral diseases, such as polyomavirus and PBFD, can occur in cockatiels. Recently I have been diagnosing more cases of proventricular dilatation disease (known as PDD), in cockatiels. Classically, this has been considered a disease of macaws and other large birds, and it is disturbing that this insidious disease has now spread to include cockatiels and other smaller parrot species.
 
Reproductive Problems

Female cockatiels are indeterminate layers, meaning that a hen will continue to lay eggs to replace those taken from her clutch. So, if an owner takes away eggs as she lays them, she may lay so many eggs that she becomes depleted of her nutrients, which can be life threatening. Excessive egg-laying can be very dangerous to pet hens.

Hens may have difficulty in laying an egg. This is called egg-binding, and this condition may progress to a more dangerous stage called dystocia. These problems can occur as a result of calcium deficiency, soft-shelled egg, a damaged or small pelvis, a malformed egg, and poor muscle tone and body condition of the hen or from tumors.

Tears or twists of the oviduct can result in dystocia, as can nutritional deficiency or excesses, or concurrent stressors such as hypo- or hyperthermia. Heat and humidity may help an egg pass, but if there is any doubt, consult an avian veterinarian for advice as soon as possible.

Sometimes, a hen may end up with a hernia of the body wall during egg-laying. This usually requires surgical intervention. Occasionally, a tumor of the reproductive system may develop, and this is usually life threatening.

Infrequently, a hen may have an egg yolk end up in the body cavity (the coelom) instead of traveling down the oviduct to be turned into a complete egg. In many cases, this is harmless and the yolk material will be reabsorbed by the body, but once in a while, the yolk will get into the bloodstream, resulting in what is called “yolk stroke.” This can be fatal, but in some cases, this is successfully treated.
 
Neoplasia

Although budgies are known as being particularly prone to tumors, cockatiels can also develop tumors, and some will be malignant (cancerous). Most commonly, I have seen tumors on the wing, called fibromas and fibrosarcomas.
 
Endocrine Disorders

Diabetes mellitus can occur in older, usually overweight female cockatiels.
 
Toxins

Inquisitive cockatiels that are allowed to explore their home unsupervised can get into all sorts of trouble. They can be exposed to lead in the home, zinc, pesticides and other toxins, such as those found in cigarette butts.

The most common poison in cockatiels is from mold that grows on the seed after harvesting. These toxins are called aflatoxins and are commonly found in seeds and peanuts. Low grade exposure to aflatoxins results in liver disease, cancer, and kidney disease.
 
Trauma

Cockatiels can end up being stepped on, closed in a door or even sat upon. If in flight, danger can be found in ceiling fans, windows and mirrors. Escape through an open window or door, or from being startled while on a shoulder, or if the owner unwittingly walks outdoors with her bird, all pose threats to birds. Fractured wings or legs can usually be safely and simply treated with tape splints.