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While there are many reasons why your bird may go blind, they adapt quickly as the condition progresses. Many owners are not aware that their bird is blind until their avian veterinarian points it out. if your bird is blind, don’t go rearranging their perches as this will confuse them. They will know where their dishes and roosting perches are from memory, so the key point is to leave their environment as they are used to. When you approach them, give them a warning such as talking to them, to let them know you are approaching, otherwise they may panic.
There are many factors which might affect your bird’s eyesight causing blindness, but generally, your pet bird will adjust perfectly and adapt particularly well.
Often it is not easy to determine if your bird is going blind unless it is linked to disease which then makes it obvious.
Types
Vision loss can be partial or total loss and can affect one or both eyes, but a domesticated bird will adapt quickly to this condition.
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If your bird is displaying any of the symptoms above, then it is vital that you take your friend to see the avian specialist. He will examine your bird thoroughly and prescribe treatment. Birds seem to have a fast response to illness, if they are sick they go downhill fast. But once treated they can recover just as quickly. If you have a sick bird on your hands, don’t wait until tomorrow as it may be too late to help them. Act now and nip any illness in the developing stages.
While nothing can restore your bird’s eyesight once it is totally lost, clearing up any infections or disease will make his life a lot more pleasant and enjoyable. Removal of cataracts and clearing up the conjunctivitis may help your bird to regain partial or full sight if they have been the cause of the loss of vision. Your avian doctor will also check for other signs of disease such as atherosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries that can lead to central nervous system signs such as seizures and vision loss.
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In most cases there is no treatment for blindness in birds but with the assistance of your veterinarian, clearing up any health-related issues may improve any remaining vision. Your bird can form cataracts very quickly, often within weeks as opposed to humans where it can often take years. This formation of the cataract can very quickly lead to blindness. Antibiotics or other medications such as anti-inflammatories may be prescribed to clear up your bird’s eyes and system.
Warm eye compresses can be used to clear up infection and crusting around the eyes. Using natural aloe vera juice right from the plant and at room temperature makes soothing healing drops to the eye to assist vision health – just ensure that you keep the plant portion in the refrigerator during the course of treatment, and warm it to room temperature before use. While vision loss is a huge thing for a human, your bird and especially the parrot species, will just adjust and get on with his life. Ensuring your bird has adequate ventilation and that your bird is not being crowded out in his cage will safeguard his well being as he goes about his daily life.
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Once your bird has been diagnosed as officially blind, management of his care and environment is all you can do. Keeping your bird healthy with a quality diet, and allowing him lots of space in his cage without overcrowding will help him to maintain a quality of life. You will find that his blindness won’t concern your bird, if he feels safe (don’t creep up on him - always give a warning of your approach).
Leave his perches, bowls and toys where he remembers them, and he will be happy. Keeping the cage in a hygienic condition without using toxic chemicals to clean it will ensure he remains healthy. Because of their small size, a little bit of chemical that wouldn’t affect us will assuredly affect him. So be aware, and protect your little friend as he adjusts to a sightless life.
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Ask a Vet
Green cheek conure
Six Months
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
So my conure is new I just got him yesterday. And we seen that his colors were almost black and thought that it was the type of conure. But can’t find one that looks anything like him. Another thing is this morning when I woke up he had his one eye closed and didn’t open for a while
Sept. 29, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I'm not sure if there is anything wrong with your bird, or if these are just things that are showing while he's getting used to your house. It may be a good idea to find a good avian veterinarian, and have them take a look at him to make sure that he is healthy, as you just got him. I hope that everything goes well for him.
Sept. 29, 2020
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parrot
6 month
Unknown severity
1 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
for the pas three days my parrot is not opening his eyes but he seems healthy.
Sept. 27, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my response, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. Since I cannot see your pet, it would be best to have them seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be causing this, and get treatment if needed.
Oct. 13, 2020
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Crested duck
Three weeks
Unknown severity
2 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Appears to have sudden blindness in right eye
July 10, 2020
Owner
Dr. Ellen M. DVM
2 Recommendations
Hi there, thank you for your question. Without examining your duck, it is very difficult to know what might be going on. There is a long list of things that could cause blindness, and it can be hard to judge whether your bird is actually fully blind in that eye or is having another issue. I recommend having your duck examined by a veterinarian who is familiar with poultry/bird medicine. Best of luck! I hope that everything turns out okay!
July 11, 2020
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Buttercup
Parakeet
15 Years
Mild severity
2 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
So I'm not sure if my bird is blind or not, but she does not fly in her cage and I found out from her previous owner that she never flew. I did a few tests to see if she would react, one was bringing my hand close to her when she was on a perch and she didn't react. The second, I got one of my crochet hooks and gently rubbed her head with it, like her mate would preen her, and she didn't react until her beak touched it and realized it was metal. Also, her mate gets really protective anytime I come near and squawks at her as if warning her of danger that she can't see. I know that the male does typically act as a warning system, but he gets right up next to her and gently pecks her to try to get her to move. She is about 15 years old, so that could be a factor. She is also the yellow version of albino, I don't know if they are more likely to have eye problems. She seems to get around her cage well by climbing the walls. I just changed the cage to a much larger one (from 2ftX1.5ftX2ft to 2ftX3ftX4ft) to give them more space. She found the water and food bowls and she did find a few perches, but she never flies. Will her chicks have trouble learning to fly if she doesn't fly? Is there anything I should know about blind birds and special care for them if she is blind? Does being albino increase the likelyhood of blindness or eye problems?
Sept. 20, 2018
Buttercup's Owner
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genie
Rainbow Lorikeet
3 Years
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
I have a rainbow lorikeet and he scratched his eye by rubbing it against the cage and now has a cloudy growth over eye. he has been to the vet and had it treated for infection but he said nothing about the growth. will it go away or can it be removed, or do we leave it there will it hurt him in the long run. his other eye is fine and seems to get around ok. Thanks Tracey
July 6, 2018
genie's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I'm not sure, without seeing the growth or being able to examine Genie, whether the growth will resolve with treatment, or time, or if it needs other attention. It would probably be a good idea to have a recheck with your veterinarian, as this seems to be getting worse and not better.
July 7, 2018
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Scruff
African Grey
13 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
Six months ago I was asked to take in a rescue African Grey.I agreed as it would be looked after well alongside my own African Grey and Senegal parrot. I noticed that his droppings were very watery and that he would almost empty his drinker in a day.He used to snap at me at the bars of his cage biting me if possible. Just lately I noticed that when I offer him a treat he goes to the wrong gap in the cage. If I talk to him as I approach him he puts his head down and lets me stroke his head and feet and legs without trying to attack me. I was told by his last keeper that he was hand reared and tame but I think the attacking is a form of fear and defence. How do I get his trust back. My other two are silly tame, wanting to sit on my knee all the time they are out.I would love Scruff to do the same. Cheers, Ron.
Mango
Budgie
2 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
My bird was completely normal but the next day he was not responding when I placed my hand very close to him. It seems like he manages to get to the food bowl from memory , he doesn't show any loss of appetite.his eyes look completely normal but the sides of the eye has become featherless and a bit swollen.
Birb (for now)
House Finch
2 Years
Mild severity
0 found helpful
Mild severity
Has Symptoms
I found a bird on the road not moving and it did not react till my dogs touched it. After looking closely both of her eyes were sealed shut, one eventually opened but it still seems like she can't see. She can fly and chirps occasionally.There is a bit of watery discharge from the open eye and a smaller amount on the closed eye. So far she has just sat and climbed around the cage walls, as well as drinking. She did perk up when the one eye opened but I still have to announce myself and she only notices me when I touch her. She is also puffed up when laying down.
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