Mold can affect more harmful in cockatiels than it does to humans. What may seem like annoying yet harmless fungal growths can gradually destroy your cockatiel’s respiratory system. So let’s take a closer look at some essential facts about is mold bad for cockatiels and what you need to do to prevent it.
Is Mold Bad For Cockatiels?
Is Mold Bad For Cockatiels? Yes, mold is harmful to cockatiels because it causes a respiratory issue called aspergillosis. This usually happens when a cockatiel inhales the spores caused by the mold, and they accumulate in their air sacs and lungs.
If cockatiel has a compromised immune system, then it is most susceptible to mold. But if your cockatiel is healthy, it is much less likely to get aspergillosis, even if it comes into contact with mold.
Can Mold Kill Cockatiels?
Mold can kill cockatiels if they are exposed to it for too long. After a few weeks spent in a cage with mold, the cockatiel will eventually die from respiratory issues. However, long before it reaches this fatal stage, the cockatiel will get sick. The cockatiel will:
- Have difficulty breathing.
- Lose its appetite.
- Become lethargic.
You can usually see the signs of mold before they are no longer possible to reverse. However, this is not always the case. If your cockatiel is constantly exposed to mold several times in its lifetime, it can develop a chronic illness. This usually happens when the cockatiel cage is not cleaned often enough. It can be left dirty or damp long enough for mold to grow.
Black Mold And Other Types of Mold
Black mold can damage the brain, nervous or respiratory system for those who inhale it. In cockatiels, black mold results in diseases based on mycotoxins. However, before this disease develops, the cockatiel will struggle with a fungal infection that humans will be most likely to be able to resist. All types of mold are harmful to cockatiels.
How Mold Hurts Cockatiels
The main threat that mold poses to cockatiels is aspergillosis. This will take a few weeks before it starts to develop. So if your cockatiel enters a room that contains mold, it will not get sick immediately. The most common way that cockatiels are exposed to mold is theirs:
- Owner’s home
- Food
- Cage
- Limited Contact
Mold is most often caused by moisture. Therefore, it is common to see how mold grows around the house during rainy seasons. Mold at this stage will not harm the cockatiel unless it comes in direct contact with the mold.
Direct Contact
If the mold is not removed, the cockatiel can get spores on its feet and beak. However, the external growth of mold is easy to see and treat topically.
Breathing In Mold
The real danger comes when there is dryness in the air that causes the mold to release spores. Cockatiels breathe in those spores, and they accumulate in their air sacs. This is dangerous because cockatiels do not breathe in the same way that humans do it.
Oxygen passes through the cockatiel’s body until it reaches a posterior air sac. When the cockatiel exhales, it does not travel outward. Instead, it gets the air sacs and stays there until the cockatiel breathes again. Aspergillosis is an infection that develops gradually, so it is noticed only once it affects the cockatiel severely. Depending on how often the cockatiel breathes in spores, the disease can go in one of two ways:
- Chronic aspergillosis
- Acute aspergillosis
Does My Cockatiel Have Aspergillosis?
If your cockatiel has aspergillosis, then you need to clear up the condition. You need to understand:
- The differences between acute aspergillosis and chronic aspergillosis.
- How to identify the symptoms of aspergillosis.
Acute Aspergillosis
Acute aspergillosis slowly destroys the following:
- Voicebox
- Lungs
- Air sacs
- Trachea
At this stage, most of the cockatiel organs remain uncompromised. However, the start of kidney failure occurs with an increased amount of drinking and urination. Acute aspergillosis occurs due to:
- Increased thirst
- Lethargy
- Increased urinating
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble vocalizing
- Change in voice
- Green discharge
Rare are the cases where the cockatiel can experience all these symptoms of acute aspergillosis at once. Cockatiel with aspergillosis may also experience paresis of the legs. Paresis is defined as the partial or complete loss of voluntary movement. The cockatiel in that study had no respiratory problems, which led experts to believe that aspergillosis could cause paresis without any other symptoms present.
Chronic Aspergillosis
At this stage, the organs are damaged, and little can be done to treat the cockatiel. Therefore, the symptoms of chronic aspergillosis are similar to those of acute aspergillosis. The only difference is that cockatiels with chronic aspergillosis can experience:
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Tremors
The central nervous system deteriorates in parallel with the organs. These physical problems will be present if the cockatiel survives long enough for the nerves to be affected. Aspergillosis can destroy its organs and nervous system as well.
Causes of Aspergillosis
Cockatiels are prone to infections due to the way they breathe. While mold is harmful to everyone, it is deadly for cockatiels because it keeps spores in the body for so long. Humans can breathe in spores, but they release our respiratory system following the next exhalation. In cockatiels, the spores travel through to the posterior air sacs and the lungs. Then, in the next breath, some of the spores may leave the body.
Cockatiels take extra steps when they breathe so that the spores remain longer in the body. In this way, they get a chance to latch on multiple surfaces. Of course, like any other living creature, when the virus enters the cockatiel’s body, its first line of defense (the autoimmune system) will take care of things. However, infections can lead to a weaker immune system if the cockatiel frequently breathes in many spores. So your cockatiel is more likely to develop aspergillosis through:
Food
Even if you do not live in a place with a lot of moisture, check the food before giving it to your cockatiel. This is especially important if your cockatiel is on a formulated diet. While pellets are not exempt from going bad, they often contain preservatives that fight the issue.
Cockatiels on a formulated diet that eat vegetables, berries, and seeds are more likely to eat something moldy. The seeds mold quickly and are the main reason why cockatiels grow sick.
Diet
Malnourished cockatiels are most rapidly infected with aspergillosis. Without proper nutrition, the cockatiel’s immune system is unable to fight off disease. When a cockatiel is infected, it will slowly lose its appetite, losing any chance of building an immune system.
Stress
Stress is one of the biggest enemies of cockatiels. Not only will it cause behavioral issues, but it can also affect the cockatiel’s immune system. When cockatiels are under stress, they:
- Grow weaker
- Lose their appetites
- Become disinterested in exercise
- Groom themselves less
This state of depression affects how the cockatiel can function physically and mentally.
Cage Hygiene
Cages are also ideal for mold to grow because they are often wet due to spilled drinking water. In dry and hot climates, cage hygiene is a big reason why cockatiels develop aspergillosis. The spilled water creates humidity, and the dryness and heat allow the mold to produce spores.
Leftover food and old paper encourage mold growth, so check and clean the cage often. How many times you deep clean the cage depends on how many birds there are and how much time they spend in the cage.
Medication
If your cockatiel is taking any medicine, ask your avian vet how it affects the cockatiel’s immune system. For example, certain antibiotics can destroy immune cells and leave cockatiel vulnerable to infection. So while you are trying to resolve one issue, the medication may cause another problem. This is especially true if the medication is to be taken long-term.
How to Prevent Mold Poisoning in Cockatiels
Mold poisoning causes an infection that is difficult to clear up once it becomes chronic. It is not much you can do for a cockatiel with chronic aspergillosis. However, you can take a few preventative steps like:
Sunbathing
Allow your cockatiel to go out on a harness, leash, or in a cage during the summer months. The heat will:
- Encourage the cockatiel to be more active, thus strengthening its respiratory system.
- Dry out the cockatiels feathers after a bath, so mold doesn’t grow.
You can also open a window slightly when you are not at home to let some sunlight in. But never leave your cockatiel in the sun all by itself while it is in a cage, though. It may overheat and dehydrate.
Moldy Cage Hygiene
Deep-clean the cage at least once a week. Do not use bleach or any of the traditional cleaning products. Instead, use white vinegar to clean the cage. Then leave it out in the sun to dry and destroy any mold.
Clean the House
If you know that there is a mold problem in your home, clear up the issue. Deep-clean the home after the rainy season is over to eliminate any mold before producing spores.
Get a Dehumidifier
Getting a dehumidifier is an effective way to reduce the humidity in your home. They are a long-term solution that can be placed in the room where the cockatiel lives, reducing the amount of mold.
Relocate Your Cockatiel
A cockatiel can not tolerate mold spores for long. So if you notice any mold in your home, move your cockatiel to another room until it is completely removed. Once the air is cleared, the cockatiel can be returned back to its living space.
