Birds and Diseases

User Question
I've had three keets die in the past three years, and after reading about the life expectancy many times am very discouraged and confused.

My first keet (Blue) had gout by age 4 and had to be put to sleep by the time the vet figured out the diagnosis. The second one (Bud) died at age 5 of an undiagnosed ailment - I took her to two vets (one a bird specialist) and neither could figure it out. After her death I determined she had many symptoms of something called "sour crop," though even long-time bird owners I've talked to are unfamiliar with this condition.

And last week my baby Poncho died at 3 years of age after an approximately 8-month decline as a result of what his vet described as "vertigo/Stargazers." I have always fed my birds Zieglers pellets with broccoli and sweet potato and apple, etc., as well as given them each one treat each evening, spring water only, and a warm, cozy environment with no toxic fumes and lots of fun toys. Is it possible I'm missing something?

Could the Zieglers be the cause, or perhaps too much inbreeding by the various breeders (though I'm going to the best bird stores in San Francisco), or am I just terribly unlucky?! I know your response can only be speculation, but any thoughts you might have would help. My vet/bird specialist has told me I'm giving them the proper food, etc., but something seems to be very wrong and I can't take another heartbreak - at least not in the next 5 years or so!

Thanks for any feedback you may have about longevity and bad luck.

Lisa's Answer
I'm really sorry to hear about your parakeet issues! Sour crop actually just means an upset tummy, and is a general term for *anything* bugging a bird's belly. So that really couldn't kill a bird - it is more likely a symptom of something else that was wrong. Just like a really sick person won't have an appetite.

Vertigo or Stargazers is just like vertigo in humans, it's having a disbalance. This can be caused by all sorts of things - a blow to the head, a lack of vitamins, or things like worms in the ears. It's hard to know exactly what caused it in yours.

Gout is of course an issue usually associated with overeating bad foods and alcohol along with a dash of genetics that predisposes you to the situation.

It could be inbreeding I suppose, but it's an odd combination of illnesses to randomly happen. All three situations can be traced to a poor diet. I would really get another bird and feed her a NON-pellet diet, a natural combination of seeds, veggies, fruits, meats, etc.

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