Indications of Eye Worms: Poor vision, inability to feed themselves, eye inflammation and an eye discharge. Eyeworms are dwell on the surface of the cornea and the other surrounding parts of the eye, they are easily seen moving over the surface of the eye once they mature.

Effect of Eye Worms: Eyeworms feed on the bird’s tissue and blood, they are capable of causing considerable damage. Wood cockroaches are commonly infected with eyeworm larva and when consumed by a bird the parasite is transferred to the bird, which is why eye worms are prevalent in chickens.

Treatment for Eyeworms: Eyeworms that are not embedded in the birds eye, can be flushed out with normal saline solution. Eyeworms that are deeper into the surrounding tissue and ducts cannot be treated that way and can be treated with a drop of Oxy Rid.

Indications of Trichomoniasis: Loss of appetite, weight loss, anorexia, ruffled/dull appearance, difficulty standing or keeping his balance, cannot close his mouth due to the lesions, difficulty breathing as his esophagus swells. Trichomoniasis is transmitted via contaminated food or water. This occurs when an infected bird who cannot swallow drops contaminated food which is then consumed by healthy birds, or contaminates a shared water source.

Effect of Eye Trichomoniasis: Birds usually die from starvation because they cannot swallow or from suffocation because lesions in the mouth block the trachea.

Treatment for Trichomoniasis: Trichomoniasis can be treated by dissolving a Metronidizole tablet in water and treating the infected bird twice daily. Since the bird cannot swallow because the lesions are blocking the throat, supportive care is crucial to keep the bird hydrated and nutritionally supported while the Metronidizole is doing its work. This can be done through crop feeding. Products like Survive, or Kaytee Exact bird formula can be used. Consult with an experienced bird rehabber for the Metronidozone dosage.

Indications of Bacterial Infections: Symptoms that a bird has a bacterial infection will depend on the type of bacteria, the location of the infection, and the organs that it is infecting. Common symptoms include listlessness, weight loss, loss of appetite, sitting “fluffed” up, and bright green runny stool.

Effect of Bacterial Infections: Untreated or improperly treated infections can become severe and may cause life threatening complications.

How to Eliminate Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections are most often treated with antibiotics. Consult with an experienced bird rehabber for type/dosage of antibiotics to use.

Indications of Bird Mites: You can check for mites with a flashlight to see if there are any crawling on the bird's skin. Mites will crawl around looking for blood. Symptoms of a bird mite bite are similar to bites of other insects and mites. You may develop small red bumps or feel a crawling sensation on your skin. Bird mite bites also cause itching, similar to a mosquito or flea bite.

Effect of Bird Mites: Birds with mites may be restless, often more so at night. They may appear to be weak — this is from anemia caused by the mites feeding.

How to Eliminate Bird Mites: Wash the bird's cage with soap, dish soap is fine. Dry the cage and spray it with bird lice/mite spray such as Scalex Mite & Lice Spray. It is important to removed old bird nests, or bedding once the birds leave the nests. Any mites living in those nests can make their way into your home as they look for new bird hosts.

Indications Lice: Constant preening, scratching, “fluffed” appearance, feather damage and discoloration, restless behavior.

Effect of Lice on birds: When a bird is not treated for lice, an infestation can become dangerous especially in young birds, or with birds with underlying health conditions. Since some species of Lice are blood sucking, the bird can become anemic.

How to Eliminate Lice: Lice is treatable with insecticides and/or oral medications, like Scalex. Your veterinarian can guide you for treatment.

Diatomaceous Earth, you can apply using a cotton ball or a cotton swab for very small birds.

Indications of Oral yeast Infections: Lack of appetite, weight loss, regurgitation, ruffled feathers, crop stasis (slow digestion/swollen crop), no energy, diarrhea.

Effect of Oral yeast Infections: It is not the yeast infection that will kill a bird, it is the residual effect of the yeast infection that will. Example, if the bird continues to lost weight, or if secondary infections develop that cause the bird to deteriorate leading to death.

How to treat oral yeast Infections: Fluconazole, and Nystatin are frequently used to treat oral yeast infections in birds. Take partnership with your veterinarian or experienced bird rehabber.