Rainbow lorikeet paralysis syndrome (LPS): the warning signs to know
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Lorikeet paralysis syndrome, or LPS, causes progressive paralysis of the legs, wings and sometimes the neck in rainbow lorikeets, up to the point of being unable to fly, blink or swallow. A study by Sarah Lacasse and colleagues, published in 2021 in the Australian Veterinary Journal, reviewed clinical and pathological records of affected lorikeets and found, in a subset of cases, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord suggesting a viral origin, though no single cause has yet been formally confirmed. More of our health guides live in the bird health and grooming section.
Contents · 4 sections
What are the signs of LPS?
The disease mainly affects wild lorikeets in Australia, with a seasonal peak between December and February. Signs often progress over hours to a few days:
- weakness followed by paralysis of the legs, difficulty perching
- drooping wings, inability to fly
- inability to blink or a change in voice
- in the most severe cases, inability to swallow
Is a captive-bred pet lorikeet really at risk?
The documented risk applies almost exclusively to wild Australian lorikeets, often infected around heavily used communal feeding stations. A lorikeet bred and raised in captivity, with no contact with local wildlife, is very rarely affected. Caution still applies to any recently acquired bird, or one that has been near other lorikeets of uncertain origin: our guide to quarantining a new bird covers what to do in that case.
What should you do if you see these signs?
There is no home treatment: only prompt veterinary care, with supportive treatment such as hydration, assisted feeding and rehabilitation physiotherapy, offers a chance of recovery, which does remain possible for a portion of affected birds. See a competent avian practitioner without delay, as covered in our guide to choosing a qualified avian vet.
Frequently asked questions
Is LPS contagious to my other birds?
Since the viral hypothesis is not confirmed with certainty, isolating any suspect bird from the rest of your flock remains the safest precaution while awaiting a vet's assessment.
Is there a vaccine against LPS?
No, no vaccine exists to date, since the exact cause of the disease itself has not yet been firmly established.
Can a lorikeet that recovers from LPS become a normal pet bird again?
Birds that recover most often regain normal mobility over several weeks, but veterinary follow-up remains advisable after such a severe episode.
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This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Birds universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.