pet care & health
The air they breathe
Aerosolised toxins – the enemy of bird respiratory health and the key to a very costly vet bill. But what is this toxic, disease-causing( even deadly) enemy?
By Isabella Colatruglio & Dr Karli du Preez of Exotic Vet Century City
Aerosolised toxins are toxic particles in the air that are very dangerous to exotic animals, including birds. They are essentially anything you, as the human, can smell: perfume, burning Teflon( non-stick) pans, gas, smoke, mould, deodorant, essential oils, cleaning products, paint and even strong-smelling foods – the list goes on and on.
These toxic particles are likely to lead to respiratory disease – a pretty serious diagnosis.
Spot the signs
Respiratory disease is an infection inside the lungs also caused by bacteria picked up in the environment as well as cold conditions( this is in addition to aerosolised toxins – don’ t forget about those.)
You may notice sneezing, nasal discharge, discharge from the eyes, and crackling or wheezing sounds when your bird breathes. These are all signs that you should get your bird to an exotic savvy vet as soon as you can.
Another hidden threat: Aspergillosis
Birds are sensitive creatures and aerosolised toxins are not the only enemy lurking, even in your own home.
Aspergillosis, another serious diagnosis, is caused by a fungus found in unsanitary environments, contaminated water, decaying organic matter, aerosolised toxins( again!) as well as in sunflower seeds and peanuts. Birds that eat sunflower seeds and peanuts are at risk of this serious fungal infection.
Diet plays a crucial role, even when it comes to respiratory health, and having your bird on the right diet can save them( and you) major trouble in the future.
Warning signs you shouldn’ t ignore
Weight loss( often a cause for concern on its own), wheezing noises when breathing, openmouth / beak breathing, a lot of yawning and even feather plucking can be signs that your bird needs urgent medical treatment from an exotic savvy veterinarian.
Prevention is the best medicine
All that said, and all frights given, there are plenty of ways to maintain your bird’ s respiratory health and prevent these conditions from happening.
It is vital that you avoid aerosolised toxins – they just cause problems. Avoid having your bird in the same room as strong smells, mould, or when you are cooking. In cases where no room is safe from the scent( such as when you have your house fumigated), make alternative arrangements for where they can stay in the meantime.
Keep your bird’ s diet entirely free from peanuts and sunflower seeds. Always. You can speak to an exotic savvy veterinarian about healthy diets and diet changes. Also, make sure that your feathered friend’ s environment is clean and kept warm during the colder months.
Remember that to keep your bird healthy and prevent your parental instincts from working in overdrive the moment they give a little sneeze, it is recommended that you visit an exotic savvy veterinarian every four to six months. www. petpals. co. za 23