PARROT live longer, healthier and happier!
(at the bottom are useful links)
Some of us look after senior parrots and realize their
bodies and organs eventually wear out, just like ours.
Symptoms of aging are similar across most species,
and we want to accomplish 2 things:
to prevent early aging and slow down aging in parrots.
Environmental Factors
Parrot lifespan is largely determined by diet and environment.
Owners who learn to care for their pet bird early on will be
providing the basis for a long and healthy life.
Stressors can reduce a pet's lifespan significantly. These include
poor diet, untreated disease and suboptimal environment.
Quaratantine for a new pet to prevent spread of a possible
disease to animals in the household is one effective strategy in
preventing disease transfer.
Finding out what foods are healthy for your parrots, and how
to vary their diets, is a good part of ensuring a happier and
healthier pet. Information is a key to disease prevention.
Health
Disease and pain are linked, but many parrots are on the
'be eaten' side of the food chain, so they hide or mask symptoms
of physical pain. Beacuse of this, owners must watch for subtle
clues to detect changes, including age-related changes.
An example is arthritis. Arthritis may become evident in a
shifting of body weight to one side or a reluctance to move.
In a situation of chronic pain, a parrot's spirit and immune
system become taxed and lifespan is usually shortened.
A well cared for parrot is most at ease in its own environment,
and developes routines and typical behaviors. When age-
related problems or difficulties happen as your parrots mature,
some small adjustments in your pet's environment can improve
their comfort.
Lifespans of Parrots
Parrot lifespans can range from about 8 years to over 80 years.
Some owners may need to worry about aging before their parrot!
A healthy, varied diet significantly improves lifespan and
helps prevent certain diseases from occuring such as diseases of
liver, kidneys and heart. Some diseases, like arteriosclerosis
can occur, just like in humans.
Second-hand cigarette smoke promotes respiratory diseases
in birds. Other signs of diseases and aging include cataracts,
arthritis and foot problems.
Prevention and a good diet are the main keys to prolonging a
bird's lifespan. This may include a wingclip to prevent your
parrot from flying into windows, mirrors or walls and the
associated trauma, or to prevent escape through a door.
Prevention also involves protection from mosquitos due to
WNV (West Nile Virus), vaccines where needed and
available, quarantine when first bringing your parrot home,
and preventing contact with dangerous substance in your
home such as ammonia fumes, fumes from heated teflon pans,
ingestion of toxic plants, etc.
Healthy Aging of Your Parrot
Your attention to physical and behavioral changes in your
parrot is important. Out of character behaviors or sudden
physical changes can indicate health or aging issues and
may indicate cognitive dysfunction (CD).
Changes to watch for include
- reduced mobility; difficulty walking, climbing, jumping
- less energy and playing less
- changes in sleep patterns; like sleeping more
- significant weight gain or loss; appetite changes
- increased irritability or change in behavior to owner
- abnormal vocalizations or longer periods of quietness
- confusion and loss of learned behaviors
neurological exam. Blood tests, analysis of poop, X-rays
and other tests may be needed to determine causes.
Many birds will remain healthy and live full, happy lives,
experiencing only minor signs of aging. They will be very aware
of their surroundings and owners over their lifespans, and
will experience fewer symptoms of losing mobility,
reduced immune system function, loss of muscle and bone mass,
slower metabolism, and loss of hearing, sight and smell.
Good LINKS for Parrot Owners
Parrot Message Boards where your questions are answered:
- Budgie Cafe ... http://members3.boardhost.com/seesthru/index.html?1106930491
- Parrot Perch ...http://members5.boardhost.com/ParrotPerch/
- Birds n Ways ...http://www.birdsnways.com/index.htm
- Parrot House ...http://www.parrothouse.com/
- Lexicon of Parrots ... http://www.arndt-verlag.com/
- Pet Education: Birds ...http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1835&aid=2844
- Parrot posters ...http://www.allposters.com/-st/Parrot-Art-Posters_c56638_.htm
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment