When you have a pet cockatiel, you need to watch out for any signs of iodine deficiency in your little friend. If you are like me, you would do anything to keep him healthy and happy.
A goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland, shows an external swelling of the bird’s neck. The growth presses against the crop and trachea internally. Any effort like flying and running will make the birdie very quickly out of breath. Breathing will be very heavy and the bird will fall to the ground with its wings outstretched and a pendulum on its neck. You may also make a high-pitched squeal or hiss with each breath. To help itself breathe easier, the little bird often rests its beak against the bars of the cage or on a tree branch or parallel perch.
If you don’t do anything about this condition immediately, your pet cockatiel will only get worse. You may start to walk in circles, which is an indication of brain infection. Then sudden death may follow, caused by suffocation, heart failure, or weakness due to insufficient food intake.
With these severe thyroid symptoms, the bird may be given a prescription glycerin iodine. The proper mixture for cockatiels is one part tincture of iodine to five parts glycerin. Alternatively, a mixture of nine parts paraffin oil to one part iodine and glycerin, administered with a plastic dropper into a corner of the beak intermittently over a 3-day period, can usually work wonders. If symptoms persist, see your avian vet immediately.
An iodine deficiency can occur when drinking water is deficient in iodine. This used to be very common in captive cockatoos, budgies (rosellas, Bourke and others), lovebirds, and budgies. Typically, these conditions no longer occur due to iodine-treated commercial cage litter.
You can make sure to give your beloved pet cockatiel small amounts of iodine in various items. They are contained in cuttlefish bones, seashell sand, oyster shells, meat, milk, fish and eggs. Fishmeal and cod liver oil are high in iodine, but wheat germ is not. A recipe for white bread soaked in milk is a good treatment to prevent goiter.
