- an ancient remedy still relevant today

By Pauline James

Organic apple cider vinegar has long been used as an alternative treatment and remedy for a wide variety of conditions and infections, due to its potent antibiotic, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.  But, with the upsurge of modern medicines and antibiotics in recent decades, its advantages and uses have rather been forgotten.
 
The main advantage of using natural apple cider vinegar as a healer is that its usage does not produce side-effects, or destroy the good bacteria in the body, like antibiotics.  It is also cheap to buy, easy to use, and can be sprinkled on soft-food or fruit, on a daily basis, to boost health and increase fertility levels.
 
There are many conditions that can be helped, by taking diluted apple cider vinegar orally, or by applying it directly to an injury on a swab.  A regular daily treatment of
1/4-1/2 teaspoonful, depending on the size of parrot, taken in food or diluted in water with perhaps a little honey dissolved in it to make it more palatable, is about the right dosage, but double-check with an avian vet first, before beginning any treatments.

Here is an example of some of the ailments that apple cider vinegar has been known to treat successfully.  It may not work in every instance, but its success rate is high enough, for it to be worth giving it a try.
 
Fatty tumours:  Galahs, older Amazon parrots, Australian parakeets and Budgies are all particularly vulnerable to suffering from Fatty Liver Disease, which can culminate in a large external growth known as a Fatty Tumour.  This condition mainly affects over-weight parrots, and those on a nutrient-deficient diet, and removal surgery is usually required.

An overgrown beak, or oddly-coloured, lack-lustre feathering can be signs that a bird is suffering FLD.  The parrot should be encouraged to exercise, fed a nutrient-rich, low-fat diet and offered apple cider vinegar.  After a few weeks of on-going corrective treatment, fatty tumours have been known to completely disappear.
 
Gout:  Although there is no scientific proof that apple cider vinegar can help gout, many human sufferers have attested to its effectiveness.  Gout is a form of arthritis that causes intense pain in the joints, and in parrots is most prevalent in the lower legs or feet.  The area can become red and inflamed, and symptoms can occur suddenly.  Soak cotton wool in undiluted apple cider vinegar and wrap it around the affected area for around 15 minutes, or immerse foot or joint in a warm bath of 1-part vinegar, 3-parts water.
 
Fungal infections and dry, itchy skin:  Apple cider vinegar can be very effective for internal or external fungal infections and dry, itchy skin, usually caused by a vitamin A deficiency.  So along, with a vitamin A-rich diet, a light spray of diluted vinegar over the plumage, and directly onto the affected area, can work wonders, and is far less evasive than anti-fungal creams.  It will also act as a repellent for lice and mite, and make their plumage shine.  A few drops of apple cider vinegar given orally in a drink, or in their food, can help get rid of internal fungal infections.