Obesity in parrots
Other names: Fat
Symptoms
- Weight ~20% above ideal
- Fat covering the keel bone (grade 4/5)
- Limping (foot swelling/arthritis)
- Shortness of breath
How it spreads
Not contagious.
Diagnosis
Weekly weight and keel bone assessment.
Treatment
Limited pellets, flying/exercise, multiple spaced-out food dishes.
Prevention
Weigh weekly; any loss of >10% of body weight calls for the vet (Merck).
Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.
Other diseases
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Calcium deficiency in African greys
- Goiter (iodine deficiency)
- Fatty liver
- Atherosclerosis