Blog

Birds are remarkably skilled at hiding when they’re not feeling well. In the wild, showing weakness can make a bird more vulnerable to predators, so many species instinctively mask signs of illness until they’re seriously sick. That means subtle changes are often the first clue that something isn’t right. 

At Ten West Bird & Animal Hospital in San Antonio, our team understands how easy it is to miss these early warning signs, and we’re here to help you recognize them before they become emergencies.

Owning a pet bird is a special experience. There is nothing quite so unique as the bond between a bird and the person who cares for him or her. It can last decades—a bird or person’s entire lifetime—and enrich the lives of everyone who witnesses it.

Yet, birds are unlike other, more common pets in many ways. One of these is that, for some types of birds, the call to move to a warmer climate stirs in the air every autumn. If you notice bird behavior changes during this key migration season, you aren’t imagining things. 

The team at Ten West Bird and Animal Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, explains why bird behavior changes during the fall and what bird parents can do about it. 

Reptiles are both resilient and fragile, and when we’re caring for them, we have to make sure we spot any signs that something is wrong. One of the more common reptile health issues is metabolic bone disease, which can be caused by calcium deficiency and poor UVB lighting, among other things. 

Here’s what the team at 10 West Bird and Animal Hospital wants reptile owners to know about reptile bone health.