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Cockatiel and other old world parrots are especially prone to attack by Sarcocystis. There are no external signs and infections and often result in death. The more common signs of beak and feather syndrome are retention of feather sheaths and cracking of feather shafts. Other common indications are stubby, clubbed or curled feathers, bleeding in the pulp cavity and untimely shedding of new feathers. Signs of the disease affecting the bird's beak are - cracking, slow beak elongation and the formation of mouth ulcers.

The disease is caused by the Circoviridae virus, also known as the beak and feather virus. Although the disease affects the parrot family in general, Cockatiel are especially vulnerable. The disease is contagious and is transmitted through direct and indirect Beak and Feather Syndrome Health contact through the alimentary and respiratory systems. The virus attacks the cells of the immune system and the cells that make up the beak and feathers. There is no cure for this disease, which often proves fatal. For specific supportive treatment, check with your pet's vet. There are no known vaccines. The disease is best prevented through good management. Any new member to an existing collection must go through a minimum period of quarantine and vet checks. Candidiasis is a fungal infection that can be caused by any of 154 species of yeast. However, only six are known to commonly affect birds. The disease affects the crop and stomach of birds. It is also known to affect the skin, the respiratory tract, the central nervous system and other organs as well. Affected birds may keep off food, intermittently vomit and have white plaque in their mouth. Candidiasis Health Young birds, and birds on prolonged antibiotic treatment are especially vulnerable. Improper hygiene is the major cause for the spread of candidiasis. Prevention is possible through proper cage maintenance, clean water and nutritious food. Do not also subject birds to unnecessary antibiotic treatment.

The disease can be treated with Nystatin and Ketoconazole. It is best to take the bird to an avian vet if any of the signs of candidiasis is noticed. Chlamydiosis is also known as psittacosis, parrot fever and ornithosis. The disease is caused by a bacteria-like organism called Chlamydia psittaci. The disease is contagious and can spread from bird to bird through respiratory secretions during coughing and sneezing. A bird can also get infected by ingesting contaminated material. Signs of infection are lethargy, loss of appetite and weight loss. Other signs are labored breathing, discharge from the nostrils Chlamydiosis Health and eyes and swelling of the tissue around the eyes. As these are common indications that can point to any of several other diseases, consult a vet to determine if your pet is indeed infected with the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria. Treatment involves care by an avian vet as well as supportive care at home. The medicines normally administered are injectable Doxycycline, oral Doxycycline or Doxycycline medicated food and water. Supportive care must begin with disinfecting the bird's cage, food, and water bowls, and everything else the bird may have come in contact with. Objects that are porous and cannot be effectively disinfected should be destroyed. Treatment usually takes between 30 and 45 days. Its best to treat the bird under the supervision of an avian vet. As this is a highly infectious disease, isolate the bird till it is fully cured.

The powder on Cockatiel plumage is often mistaken for dandruff. Dandruff Health This powder is caused by two factors. Firstly, the feather sheathes that cover the growing pinfeathers flake off as the feather matures. Tame birds appreciate it if their humans gently preen these away in areas the bird can't reach such as the back of the head and neck. Secondly, it is the powder down that comes from special feathers. If your bird is gently sprayed with water everyday, the dust will be kept from sticking to everything in your house. The first indications that your Cockatiel is infected with this internal parasite are foul smelling droppings, diarrhea with the presence of mucous, loss of appetite, dullness, dry skin, dark oily feathers and feather plucking. In the case of young birds, the disease will hamper growth and often prove fatal. In addition to supportive care, the bird can be treated with Ipronidazole, Flagyl and Metronidozole. These drugs may be administered orally or as an injection.

The ailment is best treated by an avian vet. Giardia Health Injuries and Related Problems: Beak Trauma Broken Blood Feather Beak trauma may occur because of several reasons. The more common reasons are injury to the beak, having the beak trapped between the cage bars, or fractures or punctures to the beak. The beak is an extremely sensitive part. An injured beak will be very painful and the bird could keep off food. Beak injuries are best treated by a vet. This is a common affliction, and if one knows how, quite easy to remedy. A blood feather is nothing but a young feather that still has blood in its shaft. Once a feather is fully grown, the blood recedes and the shaft turns white. If a young feather with blood in its shaft breaks, there will be an incessant flow of blood with the shaft acting as a straw. Health The common way of dealing with this is to pluck out the feather with the help of pliers. Holding the feather firmly about an inch or two from its base, pull it our firmly. In about two weeks, a new feather will replace the broken feather. Always clip the wing feathers of a bird after they are fully grown to avoid accidentally clipping any blood feathers.

This is a condition suffered by very young parrot babies because of low humidity in the cage or in the brooder. Low humidity leads to scale like skin on the toes of the baby and also the toes begin to shrink. This shrinking cuts of blood supply to the tip of the toes. If the constriction is not removed, the affected toe tip will wither away and eventually, fall off. Clipping the constricting skin should solve the problem. But, this procedure calls for some experience and is best left to an avian surgeon. Constricted Toe Health Crop Burn Crop Punctures Crop burn is the consequence of feeding food that is so hot that it literally burns the crop. On crops that are yet to develop feathers, these burns can be seen as white patches. If the burn is so severe as to have made a hole in the crop, the crop needs to be sutured.