Alpine Animal Doctors, your local Alpine Shire Vet vet for Bright, Porepunkah, Myrtleford, Beechworth, Mt. Beauty and beyond

Your other family doctor, listening to the needs of animals, large & small, across the Alpine region

7047 Great Alpine Rd, Porepunkah

ADVICE FOR BIRD & POULTRY OWNERS

ANIMAL HEALTH CARE ADVICE FOR BIRD & POULTRY OWNERS

DISEASES OF BIRDS

Symptoms, health effects and treatment options

Avian Heart Disease

Just like humans, pet birds, particularly the long-lived species, can suffer from heart disease (atherosclerosis), falling victim to hardening of the arteries, high cholesterol and heart attacks. Heart disease is fairly common in caged birds, affecting many species. Birds known to be prone to developing atherosclerosis include waterfowl, pigeons and doves, chickens, turkeys, and related birds), and Psittaciformes

Behavioural enrichment

Bringing a bird into your home should be a happy and rewarding experience. With many of our native parrots enjoying long lives — some can live for 80 to 100 years — a well cared for bird can be a companion and keep you entertained for a lifetime. But having a bird as part of your family is

Bumblefoot

Bumblefoot is the common term used for a bacterial infection — ulcerative pododermatitis — causing inflammatory or degenerative reaction on the weight-bearing surface of the feet of birds (and rodents). The infection is common and occurs in all species of birds, but is primarily a problem of cage birds. Obese and inactive birds are particularly prone to developing

Cannibalism in backyard poultry flocks

Your backyard chooks won’t truss up an unpopular flock member and pop them in the pot, but they may exhibit cannibalistic behaviour by pecking and tearing at their unfortunate flock mates. Outbreaks of cannibalism happen mostly in larger flocks but it can occur in small groups and in even the best of housing systems, including cages, floor pens,

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is an infection of the intestinal epithelium caused by microscopic protozoan parasites. It is characterised by an invasion of the intestinal wall by the Coccidia parasite (Coccidia isospora and C. elmeria) which then goes through various stages of growth and multiplication, during which damage occurs to the mucosal and submucosal tissues of the intestine. Depending on the

Coccidiosis in poultry

Coccidiosis is an infection of the intestinal epithelium caused by microscopic protozoan parasites. It is characterised by an invasion of the intestinal wall by the Coccidia parasite (Coccidia isospora and C. elmeria) which then goes through various stages of growth and multiplication, during which damage occurs to the mucosal and submucosal tissues of the intestine. Depending on the

Egg bind in poultry

A hen is said to be ‘egg bound’ (or to suffer from ‘egg bind’) when a particularly large egg becomes lodged in the oviduct and the bird cannot complete the process of laying. Egg bind is a fairly common condition that can affect hens of any age but is most often seen in young birds laying their first

Feeding backyard poultry

A well fed chook is a happy chook. And a happy chook is a healthy chook. Healthy, happy chooks lay more eggs. Understanding the role of good nutrition and ensuring your little backyard flock is fed a balanced diet is the single most important thing you can do to keep your hens healthy. A good diet, together with

Polyomavirus (PVD)

Polyomavirus (PVD), sometimes also referred to as Budgerigar Fledgling Disease, is one of the most serious threats to cage birds. A member of the papovavirus family, this highly infectious disease can affect most if not all parrot species as well as other avian species. The virus seems to be most problematic among young birds between the ages 14-56

Poultry: Moulting

The moult is a natural process where hens shed and renew their feathers. During the moulting period the reproductive physiology of the bird has a complete rest while the bird builds up its body reserves of nutrients, leading to a seasonal decline in egg production. The provision of new feathers or a coat (a feature inherent in most

Scaly Mite

Scaly Leg and Scaly Face are both relatively common conditions in domesticated birds and poultry. An infectious disease that can quickly spread to other birds, both conditions are caused by the Cnemidocoptes mutans mite, commonly known as either the Scaly Face Mite or the Scaly Leg Mite. In canaries the same mite causes a condition called ‘Tassle Foot.’

NEED ADVICE FOR OTHER SPECIES?

ADVICE FOR DOG OWNERS

ADVICE FOR CAT OWNERS

ADVICE FOR HORSE OWNERS

ADVICE FOR FERRET OWNERS