The first warning sign of avian keratitis is a bloodshot redness around the cornea. This inflammation may be due to a bacterial infection, an external virus, trauma to the eye, or a trapped foreign object lodged in the eye. Also, medication may be required to minimize the cataract’s opacity. Treatment involves the surgical removal of the cataract and lens replacement. Bacterial infection: Bacteria, like streptococcus, pseudomonas, and staphylococcus, can cause the eye to become inflamed and hazy.Virus: Viral conditions, like poxvirus and adenovirus, cause eye cloudiness and cataracts.Also, a particularly dusty living environment can lead to inflammation of the eye(s). Living environment: Bad lighting can result in a decrease in vitamin A production.Toxins: Heavy metals (lead and mercury) and some pesticides can cause eye inflammation.

Medications: Treatments for allergies, like corticosteroids (a hormone), can lead to cataracts due to decreased vitamin A production.Nutrition: Diets lacking vitamins A, C, and E and minerals like zinc, copper, and selenium.Genetics: According to Avian Pathology, canaries are most likely to inherit cataracts from a parent.The causes of cataracts in canaries include the following:

Over time, this milky whiteness becomes more prominent, and its vision will be restricted.Ĭanaries can develop cataracts in one or both eyes. The symptoms include opacity of the lens (cloudiness or haziness of the eye) and reduced vision.Ī cataract is easy to detect because there will be an expanding whiteness in the canary’s eye. 3/ CataractsĬataracts lead to reduced vision and can cause blindness if left uncorrected. Also, the canary may require antibacterial eye drops and dietary changes. The impacted eye or eyes must be washed with a saline wash solution. The most common causes of ‘red eye’ include bacterial infections, viral infections, allergies, eye irritation, foreign bodies in the eye, nutritional deficiencies (vitamin A), and trauma. Other common symptoms include sensitivity to light and cloudy or discolored eyes. If a canary has conjunctivitis, its eyelids will likely be swollen shut, crusty, and discolored. 2/ ConjunctivitisĬonjunctivitis in canaries (also known as ‘red eye’) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the inner eyelids and the white area of the eye. If a canary has overgrown claws and parasites, it could hurt its eye when relieving an itch. For example, active ceiling fans can cause injuries to pet birds. When canaries live in close proximity, which isn’t recommended, it’s common for them to enter territorial disputes.ĭuring fights, canaries (especially males) may peck each other, injuring each other’s eyes.Ĭanaries are inquisitive birds that may be injured by household items when getting out-of-cage time. Trauma from cage mates commonly results in injuries to canaries’ eyes. Here are the most common eye issues in canaries: 1/ Impact Injuries 2.1 Related Posts: Common Canary Eye Issues

Breguet canari bird