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A number of diseases are specific to parrots. Some are treatable, some are chronic and devastating. If you understand these diseases, you can take measures to avoid them from beginning. This is especially important if you have an established lovebirds and want to add another to the family. All avian diseases cannot possibly be listed here, so this section will focus on the most common ones. You can dramatically reduce your lovebird's risk of acquiring these diseases by following the basic rules of hygiene and quarantine and by being circumspect about the source of your lovebird.
Viral and related Diseases
Viruses are everywhere. Many viruses are extremely stable in the environment and do not need a living host to survive. For this reason, they can persist for many months in your home or aviary, just waiting for a new victim. Total disinfection of the home or aviary is necessary should any of these viruses be detected in your lovebird. Virus particles can be carried on your clothing, hair, and under your fingernails. If you come into contact with an infected lovebird at a bird show or store, you can take the virus home to your pet. Read thoroughly the section about prevention later in this chapter so that you can avoid inadvertently infecting your lovebird.
Not all species are equally susceptible to every virus. A species must have a receptor on its cells to which the virus can attach. this means the opposite is true as well: you must protect certain species more diligently against certain viruses. Another issue or grave concern is the ability for certain birds to serve as asymptomatic carries of a disease. A seemingly healthy, uninfected lovebird can spread the disease through an aviary, the owner never suspecting who the actual source is.
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Avian Health of Lovebirds
