Zoonotic Diseases: Allergic Alveolitus, Campylobacteriosis, New Castles

Zoonotic diseases are diseases that are transmissable from animals to humans. Young children, elderly adults and individuals with poorly functioning immune systems are at the greatest risk of being infected by a zoonotic disease. While there are a number of diseases which can be transmitted by companion birds, many are more likely to be transmitted … Read more

Don’t Play Doctor With Antibiotics

Many of us have seen a variety of over-the-counter medications at pet stores. If your bird becomes ill, buying one of these medications and giving it to him may seem like a plausible thing to do. However, nothing can be further from the truth. If your bird appears to be “under the weather”, I would … Read more

Your Baby Grey Is Coming Home

Your baby will be coming home soon! It is important to be patient, gentle and considerate of your new Grey. He doesn’t know you. He is in a strange place with strangers. He will undergo a brief grieving period. He has lost all that was familiar and loved – the other babies he played with … Read more

The Kitchen Physician VI – Holistic Treatments For Parrots

Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal and flower remedies frequently are chosen over traditional Western medicine. Today, Americans make an estimated 425 million annual visits to providers of alternative medical therapy versus 338 million visits to U.S. primary-care physicians. This change in attitude is prevalent in the care of pets too, including parrots. People … Read more

Avian Emergencies Part I

In this month’s column, I would like to discuss some emergencies that may arise with your bird. Some emergencies such as landing on a hot stove or eating lead solder from a planter can be prevented. Many, however, occur at the worst possible time. In many cases, a veterinarian needs to evaluate and care for … Read more

Introduction To Sun Conures

Considered by many to be the most beautiful of the commonly available conures, the sun conure has enjoyed an elevated popularity status in the world of companion birds for many years — and with good reason. Their multi-faceted personalities will delight even the most experienced of bird lovers, and their breath-taking coloring will attract the … Read more