Common Conditions Of Cockatoos

Some common conditions that occur in pet cockatoos include:

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease is caused by a virus that damages the actively dividing cells that produce feathers, beaks and claws. The acute form most often results in moulting of actively growing feathers. Sometimes the birds will die. In the chronic form feathers are progressively replaced by deformed ones, and beak or claw deformities may occur.

Feather Plucking

Self-mutilation or feather plucking is common in cockatoos. It may have a physical cause such as worms or lice, but often there is no apparent physical cause, and psychological factors are thought to be involved, particularly boredom and frustration. The cockatoo may have inadequate space in which to exercise and fly, or needs companionship and entertainment.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms can cause death from ill-thrift, diarrhoea and infections following damage to the intestine. Control of tapeworm infection is directed against the intermediate hosts (insects, ants, snails, slugs) and having a dry environment to prevent tapeworm eggs developing. Roundworms can affect cockatoos.

Lipomas

Cockatoos can become obese if overfed, and develop fatty tumours or lipomas. Diet and exercise can reduce the size of these fatty tumours, but they may require surgical removal if they are interfering with mobility and comfort of the bird.

Cloacal prolapse

Straining associated with diarrhoea or constipation can cause some birds to prolapse the end of the bowel through the vent, a condition called cloacal prolapse. Warts on the cloaca can resemble a prolapse.

- Last updated 16 November 2012