Age is not a disease, but as birds age, common chronic problems occur that need to be addressed.  Below is a list of the common problems we see in older birds.  Diagnosing and managing these problems will help your bird live a longer, happier life.

As with any animal, birds often get arthritis as they age.  This usually occurs in the knees, but can also occur in other joints in the legs and in the wings.  Infectious arthritis is most common in the toes and usually occurs secondary to skin infections or trauma.  Signs of arthritis include lameness, difficulty perching, possibly swelling in the joints, and decreased movement around the cage.  Weight loss may be observed if the bird has to move across the cage to get to the food bowl.  Treatment for arthritis includes antibiotics if infection is suspected, anti-inflammatory medication (this will be a life-long medication) and environmental changes geared towards making the bird more comfortable. Changes in the types of perches may be beneficial for arthritic birds.  Weight loss is a common treatment as most birds with arthritis are overweight.  Nails should be left sharp for extra gripping.  A distinction needs to be made between arthritis and articular gout, which is a symptom of kidney failure and has a different treatment altogether.  X-rays and bloodwork are always required if arthritis is suspected to diagnose the problem and make sure arthritis medication can be tolerated.

This is a similar condition to what people get where the blood vessels lose compliance and are filled with fatty deposits.  Bloodwork shows increased cholesterol and triglycerides, with the blood being very lipemic,or fatty.  This is usually a condition in older, obese birds, and is very common in all parrots.  Unfortunately, there is no definitive test for this disease prior to death.  If suspected, there are treatments that may help.

This is unfortunately another subset of aging diseases our birds get as they are living longer lives.  Cancer can occur anywhere on or in the body, but the most common places are the skin, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tract, and musculoskeletal system.  Diagnosis can be made by an aspirate with cytology (looking at the cells in the mass under a microscope), x-rays and bloodwork, and biopsies.  Depending on the severity and location of the cancer, treatment may or may not be possible. 

Cataracts occur with aging changes in the lens of the eye and usually appear as a grey or silver discoloration in the center of the pupil.  Macaws, Amazons and Cockatiels commonly get cataracts.  The decrease in vision that accompanies a cataract, especially if there is one present in both eyes or if the cataract appeared suddenly, can cause birds to easily frighten.  This may increase biting or screaming behavior, and the owners should be prepared to move more slowly around their birds and offer primarily auditory signals instead of visual cues.  The cage environment should not be changed.  Any bird with suspect cataracts should be examined by a veterinarian and possibly an ophthalmologist.  Because of the small nature of birds' eyes, other conditions that might be able to be treated can be mistaken for cataracts.  In larger birds, surgical removal of cataracts may be possible with good outcomes.

Signs of heart disease can vary and include weakness, trouble breathing (fast respiration, shallow breathing, open mouthed breathing), fainting, and lethargy.  The bird may lose weight because it is eating less.  Heart disease can sometimes be diagnosed on physical exam with a heart murmur or extra heart sounds, and in congestive heart failure fluid may be present in the lungs or abdomen.  A chest x-ray or ultrasound will help us diagnose heart disease in your bird.  There are medications to manage heart disease, but this is an incurable disease that will eventually progress. 

This is a very common problem in older (and sometimes younger) birds.  Predisposing factors include poor diet (usually an all-seed diet), infection, and exposure to toxins.  Signs of liver disease may be subtle at first, and can include an overgrown beak that may be dry and flaky, overly curled nails, decreased powder down in certain species (especially Cockatoos), pododermatitis (an infection on the bottom of the feet), and poor feather quality.  As the disease progresses and the liver is no longer able to function properly, weight loss, decreased appetite, depression/fluffed, and a change in the droppings to a greenish color.  These signs warrant immediate intervention as the bird is very sick at this point.  Bloodwork is suggestive of liver diseae, but does not tell us the exact process going on in the liver.  A liver biopsy is required to diagnose the specific disease process.  A large number of birds are not well enough on initial presentation to get a liver biopsy, so liver protectants, diet change, and other supportive care is usually required in the beginning.