Parrots are becoming increasingly popular as pets with more and more people adding a parrot to their family in recent years and although there are a number of different types of parrot out there, the majority of them are all seeing strong growth.
We have noticed more and more people asking about various problems that they are having issues with in recent weeks with some parrot owners being particularly worried.
Although we are seeing more and more of these problems, one of the more common ones that seem to have having problems with right now is issues with their parrot having one eye closed constantly.
In most cases, provided you start the correct treatment option with your parrot as soon as possible, you shouldn’t have any long term problems with your parrots eye and it should be able to make a full recovery quickly.
The problem is, it can be difficult to understand whats causing the problem in your pet parrot, especially if you are new. Even experienced parrot keepers can have trouble correctly diagnosing these problems so booking a quick video call with a vet should be able to get you a professional diagnosis and some expert advice.
Is It Normal For A Parrot To Have One Eye Closed?
It is not normal for a parrot to constantly keep one eye closed and it is almost always due to a potentially serious problem that needs treating as soon as possible.
In some cases, some parrots may temporarily close one eye for a short period of time but even then, in most of the popular types of parrots kept as pets, this is an unusual behavior and is definitely not considered a normal behavior for parrots to display.
What Causes A Parrot To Have Its Eye Closed?
There can be a number of different reasons why your parrot may have one eye closed with the most common being some kind of infection or some sort of injury.
Infections are definitely the most common cause of this problem and there are a number of different types of infections that can cause this issue. The most common type is conjunctivitis which is an infection of the membrane that covers the eye and the inner eyelid.
This is a particularly common problem in parrots as they are very prone to this type of infection, especially if they are kept in dirty or unsanitary conditions.
Injuries are another common cause of this problem and although not as common as infections, they can still be a problem, especially if your parrot is kept in an environment where there are a lot of other animals or where there is a lot of potential for them to get hurt.
We will not be taking a quick look at some of the more common problems that may cause your parrot to keep one eye closed.
Bacteria
Bacterial infections are a relativley common problem in parrots, and in some situations, they can cause your parrot to keep one eye closed.
There are a number of different types of bacterial infection that can take hold of your parrots eye with some of them actually needing slightly different treatment options than others.
You will usually need the advice of a vet to help you understand whats causing the problem in your pet parrot as well as how to treat it quickly.
There are a number of general infection treatments on the market that can technically help but due to being a general treatment, they will usually be slower to act and some can’t be used with your parrots eye due to posing a risk.
Parasites
There are a number of different types of parasites that can live on your parrots feathers and in some cases, they may actually cause your parrot to keep one eye closed.
The most common type of parasite that can cause this problem is mites with there being a few different types of mite that may take live around your parrots eye lid and cause issues with the eye.
Mites are very small creatures and can be difficult to spot with the naked eye, especially if you are not used to looking for them.
Viruses
There are a number of different types of virus that can infect your parrot and in some cases, they may actually cause your parrot to keep one eye closed.
The most common type of virus that can cause this problem is the Herpes virus with there being a few different types of herpes virus that may take live around your parrots eye lid and cause issues with the eye.
Herpes viruses are particularly common in parrots as they are very susceptible to them due to their close contact with other birds.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are not particularly common in parrots but they can still occur from time to time with there being a few different types of fungus that may take live around your parrots eye lid and cause issues with the eye.
The most common type of fungus that can cause this problem is Aspergillus with there being a few different types of Aspergillus that may take live around your parrots eye lid and cause issues with the eye.
There are some very effective general treatments on the market for fungal infections that have excellent reputations but unfortunately, they are not suitable for use with the eye of your parrot and you will usually need to get a specialist treatment from a vet.
Injury
Injuries are not a particularly common problem in parrots but they can still occur from time to time with there being a few different types of injury that may take place around your parrots eye lid and cause issues with the eye.
The most common type of injury that can cause this problem is a scratched cornea with there being a few different types of scratch that may take place around your parrots eye lid and cause issues with the eye.
Injury is more common in parrots who are kept in communal cages or averies but they are often obvious as there will be additional trauma to the head of your parrot giving you an indication that it may be keeping its eye closed due to a scratch or other injury.
Signs Of An Eye Infection In A Parrot!
Here are some common symptoms of an eye infection in a parrot:-
- One Eye Closed.
- Swelling of the Eyelid.
- Discharge from the Eye.
- Reddening of the Eye.
- Pain in the Eye.
How Long Does It Take For Your Parrot To Get Better After An Eye Infection?
The time it takes for your parrot to recover from an eye infection will depend on the severity of the infection as well as the type of infection that your parrot has.
In most cases, you can expect your parrot to start showing signs of improvement within a few days to a week but in some cases, it may take longer for your parrot to fully recover.
How Do I Prevent Eye Infections In My Parrot In The Future?
There are a number of things that you can do to help prevent eye infections in your parrot in the future:-
- Keep your parrots cage clean and free from debris.
- Provide your parrot with a diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Keep your parrots cage away from direct sunlight.
Conclusion
No one wants their parrot to suffer from an eye infection and it can be worrying when you see your beloved pet displaying any of the common symptoms. In this article, we have looked at some of the most common causes of eye infections in parrots and provided you with a guide on how to treat them.