All Creatures Veterinarian Hospital

Ask The Vet - Q&A

Q: I have a parakeet who is nine years old. Lately, she has been puffed up and the feathers around her head are ruffled. She does not chirp as much as usual but is still eating her normal amount of food. I have treated her with mite spray and was wondering if there could something else wrong with her. Thanks for your advice.
	A: Many birds will "puff up" routinely if they have an illness going on. Birds are generally very good at hiding illnesses, so when we have direct visual evidence of something wrong, it is usually a good idea to get them in for a check up. Mites are something we will see from time to time in birds. Other potential problems that could manifest as a bird is "puffing up" are infections, dietary imbalances, toxicities, or other stressors. My reccommendation would be that you get your bird into the vet so that the vet can determine what else needs to be done. This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your veterinarian for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your pet’s specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Village Vet Animal Clinic (918-258-0040) or All Creatures Veterinary Hospital (918-481-0440)