Home Remedies
Bird Diseases or Bird Health Care
For general information only. Cconsult a healthcare practitioner about any health problems. Some of the information is based on research relevant to human health; however, some is bird-specific (as noted accordingly). Most of the fruits & vegetables are safe for your birds- however, some - even though safe and healthy for humans - are toxic to birds. Before giving anything to your bird that you are not sure about, I would recommend visiting this website
Also: Check out these online videos about nutrition and health
Arnica - Arnica is one of the most popular medicines in homeopathy, used by many people. Homeopathic Arnica is helpful for bruising, tissue-damage, shock, and soreness. If taken shortly after an injury occurs, both pain and swelling may be reduced, and healing can take place more quickly and effictive. It is the single most important remedy for trauma when there is marked soreness & tenderness especially to touch or pressure. It is useful for any trauma including bruises, black eyes, sore muscles, & within the first hours after a fracture. For fractures, take Arnica immediately for the pain & to help heal bruised tissues. Take Arnica for pain & swelling from sprains & strains. Arnica can be taken internally as homeopathics & used externally as ointments, salves or sprays. The topical spray is easy to use & works well for areas that are sensitive to the touch.
Aloe Vera gel or juice. Detoxifier and cleaner of the digestive tract and urinary system. There are several documented cases of complete recoveries in birds treated with an aloe concentrate and detoxifying herbs, even though the birds had been considered terminally ill. Known as the medicine plant, aloe vera is excellent for the treatment of wounds, burns, bites, cuts, abrasions and rashes. It helps to prevent infection in injured skin and it is an exceptionally effective pain killer. Many cases of feather plucking in parrots have been treated successfully with a spray of water and aloe vera gel or powder. To use aloe for skin conditions and cuts, mix two ounces of gel with calendula and vitamin E oil and rubbing it on as an external antiseptic and soothing healer. Finally, use aloe for ear problems, mixing two ounces of juice or gel with a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide (food grade) and massaging it into the ear. Make sure the brand you buy is organic and 99% (or more) pure, and preserved with citric acid or ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Don't buy a brand preserved with benzoic acid or sodium benzoate. Don't use aloe if your pet is pregnant.
*NOTE: If aloe vera is to be used on birds, test first on a small area. Even though Aloe Vera is helpful for many birds, some rare birds may have a reaction to Aloe Vera. Spray one of your fngers and touch your bird's foot. Leave for 24 hours and see if an reaction occurs.
Apple: Significantly lower or normalize cholesterol and triglycerides. Contain anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory agents ... Also please visit this website for more information.
Apple cider vinegar (Organic, Raw, Unpasteurized, Golden Variety). Boosts the immune system and fights bacteria. Aids in healingl infections of the urinary tract and kidneys. Balances electrolytes and enzymes and adds minerals. Add raw apple cider vinegar to your pet's waters - about 1/2 teaspoon per pint of water. If she won't drink it at first, add a little raw honey to sweeten the taste, and gradually phase out the honey. Don't buy distilled, light amber, or white vinegar. These are fine for cleaning, but are of no nutritional value.
Vinegar: A Natural Approach to Avian Management
Baby food. We always keep a jar of Gerber's in the cupboard because most sick pets will lick at chicken or turkey baby food. We warm a spoonful for just two or three seconds in the microwave -- don't scald it. Add some raw honey - in fact, warm baby food is the perfect base for mixing in a pinch of many healthy foods: liquid chlorophyll, yogurt, apple cider vinegar, slippery elm, aloe vera, vitamin C, vitamin E, and bran, to name a few.
Dandelion: Dandelion is packed with blood purifying substances. Parrots love the taste of this plant - and it is readily available in most people's gardens. Rather than destroying them with toxic pesticides -- you would do yourself a HUGE favor by serving them to yoru family -- both feathered and unfeathered. Including dandelion leaves helps prevent arthritic conditions.
Beans: Considered the "complete protein." It is also high in fiber, reduces cholesterol and regulates blood sugar levels. Bean consumption has been linked to lower cancer rates.
Bran . Fiber helps relieve constipation and dry stools by allowing the stools to soak up additional moisture and thus move more easily.
Brown Rice: Anti-diarrheal and contain anti-cancer protease inhibitors. Parrots will eat rice in any form, even sprouted! Breeder also value brown rice as a weaning food.
Calendula. A powerful healing herb for skin conditions and cuts. You can buy it as an ointment, mix it with aloe vera and vitamin E oil, and rub it on as an external antiseptic and soothing healer.
Chamomile: A natural alternative to tranquiliziers for stressed birds. Substitute tea for your bird's drinking water. It soothes the nerves and the digestive tract. "Night flight episodes " in cockatiels can be treated by offering a bedtime tea of chamomile.
Cherries (fresh, frozen or canned, or black cherry juice): Cures articular and visceral gout. Gout in birds is associated with the kidney's' inability to remove nitrogen waste products from the bloodstream. As a result, uric acid accumulates and begins to abnormally collect in different sites within the body. There are two distinct forms of this disease in parrots. Articular gout usually affects the joints of the lower legs. It is most common in budgies where it appears as multiple cream-colored shiny swellings bulging up through the skin. It is very painful and the bird becomes progressively crippled. Visceral gout affects the internal organs and is very difficult to diagnose. The first course of action is to correct the diet, thereby eliminating the cause. Whether the cause is excess protein or improper calcium levels in the diet remains controversial.
Elastic bandage. The soft, flexible, cloth kind that sticks to itself, for wrapping sprains and other injuries.
Fasting. Fasting gives the body a chance to break down toxins and purge them. For two or three days, stop feeding regular meals. Give only tiny amounts of chicken/turkey baby food and vegetable broth, plus liquid healing foods such as raw honey, liquid chlorophyll, apple cider vinegar, slippery elm, and aloe vera, and tummy teas. Gradually add steamed veggies, then raw minced/pulped veggies, then cooked rice, then cottage cheese and meat, and so on, until your pet is back on its regular diet of healthy foods.
Garlic. Builds the immune system and is an herbal antibiotic, virtually unbeatable at preventing and fighting infection (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites). The National Cancer Institute is currently researching it for its anti-tumor properties. It helps to eliminate lead, zinc, and other toxins from body tissues. Garlic is safe for birds in SMALL amounts. Don't bother to peel garlic when giving it to your birds. They will have fun doing that themselves. Please also visit this website for more information.
Grape Seeds / Grape Seed Extract: One of the most potent antioxidants known, with tests indicating that it is fifty times more powerful than Vitamin E. In humans, it has been used to treat varicose veins, eye problems, arthritis, allergies, heart conditions, Attention Deficit Disorder and viral diseases such as herpes. It has also shown effectiveness in treating feather plucking. I found a drop of Grape Seed Extract added to the formula of my chicks to be effective in preventing, and even resolving, sour crop in babies.
Jalapino Peppers: Many veterinarians are recommending a diet high in Jalapino peppers to help control known papilloma birds. Some breeders feed Jalapino Peppers as a precaution.
Liquid Chlorophyll. Another excellent detoxifier and antiseptic for the internal organs, especially the digestive tract and bloodstream. Use it internally for any illness, especially a digestive problem -- 1/2 tsp. three times a day. It combines very well with aloe vera (see above). Liquid chlorophyll is also used by holistic vets to balance blood sugar levels in some pets with diabetes or chronic hypoglycemia.
Medicine dropper. With markings in ml's and cc's. For giving liquids.
Mineral oil. 1/2 tsp. can help dry stools pass more easily, but it is very easy for an animal to become dependent on it, so don't use it for more than a few days.
Nutrical or Nutristat. A high-calorie, high-sugar supplement to keep blood sugar and energy levels up when your pet is ill or not eating well.
Nuts: Nuts is highly valued for its anti-cancer and heart-protective properties.They aid in insulating and storing food for the body and are necessary for the normal utilization of the fat-soluble vitamins, including A, D, E, K. Because of their high caloric content, one has to limit the intake of nuts for sedentary "cage dwellers." However, nuts are an excellent food source when it is cold outside and birds need extra energy to maintain their body temperature.
Oranges: Contain natural cancer inhibitors (carotenoids, terpenes, flavonoids) and calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, niacin, B-complex vitamins and traces of Boron. Parrots also enjoy the taste of this versatile fruit, while it keeps their fresh food items free of pathogens for many hours. Breeders often squeeze the juice of oranges or lemons over fresh food items to keep them from spoiling. Please also visit this website for more information.
Papaya: The papaya is usually eaten raw without the skin or seeds. Parrots love it for its delicious sweetness with musky undertones and its soft, butter-like consistency. The fruit, as well as the other parts of the papaya tree, contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. This enzyme is especially concentrated in the fruit when it is unripe. This fruit is also valued for its high beta carotene content which is readily convertible to useable vitamin A. Papaya also has been praised by many breeders who were able to resolve slow crop problems afflicting their chicks. Proper digestion is a requirement for their optimum health as incomplete or disordered digestion can be a major contributor to disease development.Some people do not feed papaya seeds, but parrots love the seeds for their peppery taste. Some claim that Papaya has anti-parasitic properties.
Raw Honey. Raw unpasteurized honey from the health food store (not processed or pasteurized from the supermarket) is one of the oldest and most reliable healing foods. It fights bacteria, builds the immune system, and provides energy.
Rescue Remedy. These homeopathic drops from your health food store can reduce anxiety. It is given to pets before and during stressful trips to the vet, for car or plane rides if your pet is prone to motion sickness, or before and after any stressful experience.
Slippery Elm / Slippery Elm Syrup. An excellent herb for the digestive tract.
Sweet Potatoes aka Yams: High source of the antioxidant beta carotene, which is linked to preventing heart disease, cataracts, and numerous cancers, and is considered a nutritional boost for eye health. Yams will also have a positive effect on rough or dry skin -- and parrots love the taste, color and texture of this vegetable. Please also refer to the "World's Healthiest Foods" website for more information.
Teas. Chamomile, ginger, and peppermint are outstanding herbs for an upset stomach or general "not feeling well". I buy them as dried teas, add boiling water, let steep for 5 to 10 minutes, and let cool, and provide instead of water. Please also refer to the "World's Healthiest Foods" website for more information.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an incredibly powerful builder of the immune system and joints.
Vitamin E. Another outstanding builder of the immune system. We use the powdered form because it is so easy to measure out and mix into food. We give 50 to 100 IU daily (about 1/8 tsp. of powder), and increase to 100-200 IU during illness. For skin conditions and cuts, vitamin E oil is an excellent antiseptic and soothing healer, especially when combined with aloe vera and calendula. Always make sure you buy vitamin E with d-alpha tocopherols - NOT dL-alpha or mixed tocopherols, which are not natural.
Yogurt (low-fat, Cow's milk). Yogurt is valuable because it contains "friendly" bacteria which are extremely important for digestion. We mix it into meals every couple of days. Whenever we're forced to give antibiotics for serious infection, we increase the yogurt, because antibiotics kill helpful (as well as harmful) bacteria. Please also refer to the "World's Healthiest Foods" website for more information.
| Remedy | Dose | Indication |
| Apple Cider Vinegar (non-pasteurized, non-filtered, organic - Omega Nutrition) | One tsp per pint water | Controls most gram-negative and yeast problems without medications, turn papillomas white. |
| Echinacea or Goldenseal (alcohol-free) alone or together in lactulose |
Mix 5 drops each of human dilution to 1/2 oz lactulose: 1 drop per 100 g BW PO q12h | For immune stimulation and antiviral antibacterial use; short-term use, in the case of goldenseal (5 days). |
| Dandelion Root or MilkThistle in Lactulose | Mix 5 drops in 1/2 oz lactulose: 1 drop per 100 g BW PO q12h | For detoxification and stimulation of liver; improves circulation, restores gastric balance after vomiting. |
| Oil (flax, sesame, evening primrose or borage - Omega Nutrition); Chia Seed (organic) | 1/2 tsp per 1000 g BW (3 drops / 100 g) over food; 1 tsp per 100 g BW | For birds that may show fatty acid deficiency such as failure to hold or gain weight, dull feathers, flaky skin (and have been on HBD's High Potency for less than a year) |
| Complex Carbohydrate | To reduce fat in diet. Excellent for intensive care. |
Non-nutritional 'food' items are very important. Cockatoos like to strip wood - any fruit branches are suitable provided that they have not been sprayed with garden chemicals. It is sensible to give them a good scrub with an antibacterial cleanser such as Ark-Klens (Vetark) to avoid introduction of infection from wild birds. Hide dog chews can be drilled and hung from chains etc. There are now excellent quality complete foods, however there is a strong drift away from this idea, suggesting that they are better used as seed substitutes, thus allowing the use of fresh foods and vitamin mineral supplements which certainly seem to improve breeding results. Certainly this encourages more normal behavior patterns.
This information is not presented with the intention of diagnosing or prescribing, but is offered only as information for use in maintaining and promoting health in cooperation, when necessary, with a veterinarian. We are not veterinarians and cannot assume responsibility for use of this information in lieu of a veterinarian's services. This is simply what we do or what we would do with our own pets. If your pet is ill, seek assistance from a veterinarian, preferably one who understands the holistic approach. Find a Holistic Vet in Your Area.
The World's Healthiest Food Items ... Other Resources: Article: Why is Lactobacillus so important to your bird's health?
For education only, consult a healthcare practitioner for any health problems.
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