Anorexia (loss of appetite) and lethargy (listlessness) are common signs of illness in pet birds. They are not diseases in themselves but they do indicate a severely ill bird that requires urgent medical attention.

Underlying medical problems that can cause the signs of anorexia and lethargy in pet birds include liver, heart or kidney disease, cancer, viral or bacterial infections, fungal or yeast infections, parasites, and hormonal disorders.

What should I do if my bird is not eating or appears listless?

Unlike dogs and cats, birds are still 'wild' pets. This means that, in order to survive, they tend to hide their signs of illness to avoid becoming a target for predators. This is also known as the preservation response. A sick wild animal will thus not appear ill until it is very sick indeed, often several weeks after it initially became ill, and literally dying. Birds rarely get sick overnight. Therefore, a bird with anorexia and lethargy is extremely ill and requires urgent medical attention. Waiting to see if your bird will get better is not going to be of any help to your bird; you may actually wait and watch as your bird dies.

How is an illness diagnosed?

Because anorexia and lethargy can be caused by many different diseases, several diagnostic tests may need to be run. These can include blood tests, gram stains and cultures, faecal tests for parasites, yeast, and bacteria, radiographs (X-rays), and a psittacosis (chlamydiosis) test among others. Unfortunately, there is no one test to diagnose the various causes of anorexia and lethargy.

What is the treatment?

Treatment obviously varies with the cause of the anorexia and lethargy. In general, many of these birds are extremely ill. Hospitalisation may be required for critical care that cannot be given at home, such as placement in an incubator, fluid therapy, force feeding, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. If the specific cause of the illness is determined, then medications used to treat the specific cause will be given as well.

Can I prevent my bird becoming ill?

Yes! Firstly, ensure that you feed your bird properly. An all-seed diet is not a balanced diet for birds and predisposes them to many of the causes of anorexia and lethargy.

Secondly, all birds need a routine yearly veterinary check-up. Early discovery of any abnormality is crucial and treatment is usually easy and inexpensive. With regular check-ups, your veterinarian can detect small changes in your bird's health and prevent more serious problems developing. By spending just a little money each year, you can detect diseases early and prolong your bird's life.