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Lorikeets as Pets |  Lorikeet Species |  Lorikeet Health Programme |  Disease Susceptibility

Disease Susceptibility
Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease (Runners) |  Thrush Infections

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease in Lorikeets

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is known colloquially as “runners” in lorikeets because after leaving the nest, juveniles lose their tail and wing flight feathers, leaving them unable to fly.

Avian research veterinarian, Branson Ritchie, has identified a variant of PBFD virus in lorikeets, meaning individual lorikeets with PBFD virus 2 have a greater chance of recovery compared with those infected with PBFD virus 1.

Dr Marshall believes it is best to continue treatment of “runner” lorikeets for nine months. Such birds must be kept isolated from other parrot type birds to prevent the PBFD virus from spreading. This period of time allows those birds capable of recovery to grow new feathers. The following health programme is recommended for runner lorikeets.

Health Programme for “Runner” Lorikeets
  In Water In Fruit or Nectar Additional Advice/Instructions
Friday Water Cleanser1 Turbobooster2 Clean the cage and utensils once a week with a water cleanser

Energy supplement should be made available at all times in a small, covered dish.
Saturday Water Cleanser1 Turbobooster2
Sunday Water Cleanser1 Turbobooster2
Monday Water Cleanser1 Turbobooster2
Tuesday Fresh Water Turbobooster2
Wendesday Fresh Water Turbobooster2
Thursday Fresh Water Turbobooster2

1 A water cleanser is used to cleanse the bowel of harmful food and water related germs, promoting a stronger natural health. Dr Rob Marshall’s special water cleanser is available through Carlingford Animal Hospital.

2 Turbobooster should be added to fruit juice or nectar daily. Turbobooster provides protein and essential fatty acids that are a neglected part of Lorikeet nutrition. Into 4 milliliters of juice using a teaspoon measure, add 6 drops of Turbobooster.

Energy supplement should be made available in a finger drawer or small dish fresh daily. This is a potent source of vitamin B used during recovery from illness. It is highly palatable to lorikeets.

Thrush in Lorikeets

Lorikeets are particularly susceptible to Thrush infection, a painful and often debilitating disease. Thrush infections are confirmed through a faecal test and when diagnosed, require a prescription medicine for treatment.

To help prevent Thrush infections, lorikeet owners must practice a strict cleaning regime and use a water cleanser in the drinking water weekly and as a cage and utencil cleaner daily as outlined in the Lorikeet Health Programme (link to Lorikeet Health Programme). A good diet such as that provided by this programme will help prevent lorikeets from becoming susceptible to Thrush infections.

Symptoms of thrush include:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Food gets caught in mouth (especially Dry Mix)
  • Excessive dribbling from mouth
  • Irritability
  • Biting
  • Feather picking
  • Feathers lose colour and shine
  • Squirty droppings

Causes of thrush include:

  • Poor hygiene
  • Stress – sudden fluctuations in temperature or behavioural changes
  • Vitamin A deficiency
  • Antibiotics
  • Other immune diseases, with Thrush occurring as a secondary disease

Copyright © 2004 Rob Marshall, All Rights Reserved.