06/04/2025
Major cause of death in Lories and Lorikeets - Bacterial Infections.
The most common cause of death is Bacterial infections in captive lories and lorikeets. The most common bacteria’s that affect them are Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli. (E. coli is considered a normal intestinal flora and is not a pathogenic). The cause of death due to gram-negative bacterial infections is due to their liquid diet which is high on sugar. Especially in warm temperatures they are the right medium for bacterial growth. Hence it is very important to change the diet 3 -4 times a dat. Where the temperature rises above 35°C (95°F). Their cages and aviaries should be cleaned more frequently compared to other parrots.
Salmonella is the most common and serious during the warm season. Annually it will make itself known in summer. Unfortunately affected birds seldom show and symptoms until few hours before their death and most of the time it is too late for treatment,
Poor breeding results, and deaths of adults and chicks, could be due to gram negative bacteria. Due to poor hygienic condition. E. coli and Salmonella are the main cause for bacterial infections. E. coli can be cultured from virtually any surface that comes into contact with humans and to a lesser extent Salmonella, they are usually transferred from human to birds, hence hand hygiene is very important when dealing with them.
Three drugs that are most effective in treating the gram negative infection are Ofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin and Enrofloxacin.
Before concluding there is a need to mention something regarding Salmonella, Raw uncooked chicken harbours them. So a chopping board used to cut chicken should never be used to chop fruit for lories, lorikeets or any other bird.
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