What is Avian Degenerative Joint Disease?

• It is a disease affecting the joints of a bird. It is a progressive weakening of cartilage in the joints.
  
  

Causes

• There can be several causes of this disease. These can include a past injury to the joint, an infection of the joint, old age or a deformity of the joint or connecting bone.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms of a bird with degenerative joint disease can vary. There may be swelling of the joint, the bird may limp or avoid using the affected wing or leg, and some birds also may feather pluck the area.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis of this type of arthritis can be made with a physical examination and X-rays by an avian veterinarian.
  
  

Medical Treatments

• If the cause is an injury or infection, then treating the cause will help stop the degeneration of cartilage. Avian veterinarians also may prescribe pain medications to alleviate the pain.