Pet parrots may need vaccinations against avian diseases, with specifics tailored to their species and environment: _Advise by an avian veterinarian_
I remember the first time I raised this question in a bird owners event thingie, one of my friends said, absolutely No, birds do not need vaccines, and his Vet also advised against it.
The proud owner went on to say it’s one of the few reasons to love parrots better than dogs and cats.
No shots and no teeth to brush and care for.
As it turns out, after some research, he was mostly right.
Pet birds do not need regular preventative shots like cats and dogs but should go to the Vet at least once a year for a check-up even if they seem fine.
I do not vaccinate mine, but I deworm him twice a year.
Excess worms in birds can cause weight loss, infertility, low breeding, and death in the long run.
Plus, I remember one contributor (Avian forum) saying his Vet gave his birdies a Vitamin booster, though I’m not sure how necessary the shot is.
Having said that, there is a lot of chatter regarding the Polymovirus vaccine, APV. Even so, it is more a concern for hand-fed chicks.
For parent-raised chicks, APV is rarely an issue because antibodies are passed from parent to child.
How Much Does It Cost to Vaccinate A Parrot, Bird
As we’ve seen in the intro above, birdies do not need vaccinating, at least not as much as other pets do. Consequently, the few necessary shots within the year (vitamin boosters, dewormers) should not set you a buck too far.
Of course, these also mean it is unlikely to get an accurate estimate since it’s not a household thing to do.
The shot will also vary widely between states and nations, depending on the need and availability of the shots.
There is also no consensus among Veterinarians on the prudence of administering vaccines to parrots, which further complicates the dynamics of coming up with a cost estimate.
So, what I would advise is talking to your Vet.
First establish what he recommends (vaccine or not), then get a quote from him. You can then seek a second opinion. It never hurts to get one.
Do Parrots Need to Go to The Vet
Now…going to the Vet to get your bird vaccinated and regular check-ups are two different scenarios. The former is not too necessary, but the latter is inevitable.
I take my parrot Pickles to the Vet twice a year even if he looks fine because birds are pretty good at hiding ailments to avoid looking weak.
Sometimes, by the time you realize your feathery friend is sick, it’s usually too late to take any effective action.
Another reason you’ll want to take your bird to the veterinarian regularly is for your average shots like dewormers and Vitamin boosters.
Some owners also take their parrots to the Vet for grooming, which is advisable if you are confident with your skills. Things a pet hospital will do for you include trimming overgrown nails and wings clipping.
Now, I should say this…
You could take your bird to a general Veterinarian since many treat all animals, but your typical cat and dog Vet does not have the training or experience managing birds. As such, it helps if you can find an avian specialist.
Do Parrots Need Worming (How Often)
Indoor parrots are rarely exposed to outdoor parasites as wild birds, but they remain susceptible to attacks, and deworming is a must.
Ideally, you should deworm your feathered clitters 2 to 3 times a year, and if you are breeding them, worming up to 4 times a year is recommended.
The reason for deworming breeding parrots up to 4 times is because they are mostly kept in outdoor group aviaries, which means they are exposed to parasites more.
I’ve heard keets are also more likely to get worms, so if you have some, perhaps do more worming or at least don’t fail to deworm them.
If you have an indoor bird that spends plenty of time outside to busk in the sun or catch some fresh air, you may also want to remain keen on your worming schedule.
Now, if you are comfy worming your birdie so many times a year, you can choose to at least send your bird’s fecal sample to your Vet every few months for a check-up.
How Often Should I Deworm My Parrot, Bird
I bet I’ve already answered this question in the paragraphs above, but for clarity, you want to worm your parrot two to three times each year.
Of course, there are some instances where you need to deworm them more frequently.
One scenario would be if your parrot lives in an outdoor aviary and is in close contact with other birds. This is more likely for owners with more than one bird for breeding or resale.
Some bird owners with large parrots like macaws and Eclectus also keep their birds outside because their cages take up large floor space, hence the need to deworm them more.
Now. note you are not limited to two or three times a year. If you think your bird needs deworming, you can still do it even if the period has not elapsed.
Only be sure not to pump your parrot with too many drugs within a short period.
Besides, you can use natural dewormers such as neem leaves, coconut, carrot, and pumpkin seeds to treat your bird instead of medicines.
How Do You Know Your Parrot Has Worms
Changes in diet, fecal matter, and behavior are clear tell-tale signs of worms or parasites in pet birds.
Eddie Waithaka
Excess worms in your parrot can cause weight loss, infertility, and low breeding, which are a pretty decent way to tell your parrot is affected.
However, if the worms may not be too many to harm your birdie, that’s why I recommend sending an occasional fecal sample to your avian Vet for analysis.
Below is a list of signs you can look for if you suspect your parrot has worms.
- Weight loss
- Infertility
- Worms in droppings (Hanging from the cloaca)
- Diarrhoea
- Sickly apperance (weakness)
- Appetite fluctuations
- Some birds may become more vocal that usual
Well, that all for this post. See you in the next one.
All the best with your bird🦜🦜.