Psittacosis is a rare but severe disease that affects both domesticated and wild birds. The disease typically lies dormant in the body until stress conditions weaken the bird's immune system, making it susceptible to the illness. Affected birds show signs of weakness and labored breathing. The affliction is treatable if symptoms are detected early.
Facts
Psittacosis or Chlamydia psittaci is a disease that affects parrots, parakeets wild birds and poultry. The most susceptible birds tend to be cockatiels, neohemas and pigeons. Although psittacois is not the most prevalent disease in an aviary, it is one that warrants concern and immediate attention.
Symptoms
The disease typically begins with a cold. According to Matthew M. Vriends, Ph.D., "Moisture drips from the nostrils, the bird gasps for air, and its breathing is squeaky and hissing." The bird may sleep more often, shiver, lose weight, puff up it's feathers in an attempt to stay warm, exhibit eye discharge, become weak and have bouts of diarrhea. Among the barrage of symptoms the only one pointing directly to a possible psittacosis diagnosis is eye discharge.
Prevention/Solution
Outbreak of the disease is attributable to stress. "Overcrowding, malnutrition, poor management, weaning, egg laying, molting and prolonged transport can stress the bird's immune system making it easy for the disease to manifest itself," Exposure to bacteria occurs through contaminated feces and nasal discharge. A contaminated bird's dried dropping remain contagious for several months.
The best treatment is prevention. By minimizing stress and keeping cages and aviaries clean, birds are less likely to encounter psittacosis. Always quarantine a new bird for 45 days before releasing it in with other healthy birds. "This will protect both the new bird and older birds from new viruses,"
Treatment
When prevention is not possible, treatment is necessary. Vets will test for the disease to verify psittacosis before beginning treatment. Sick birds are given the antibiotic doxycycline. It is administered either through drinking water for 45 days or through six weeks of weekly injections. Although injections are more effective, caution must be taken as the injections can cause trauma to the injection sites. All calcium needs to be removed during treatment due to the neutralizing effects on the antibiotics. Luckily, complete recovery is possible. However, recovered birds may still carry the disease. Tests should be run before recovered birds are released back into aviaries or cages with other birds.
Warning
Humans can fall victim to psittacosis as well. Birds transmit the disease through dried feces, dust particles and respiratory secretions or through beak to mouth contact and severe bites. Infected people experience flu-like symptoms. Respiratory conditions can occur if the disease goes untreated. It's best to consult a physician and mention you have been in contact with birds if you begin feeling ill. A simple antibiotic will usually correct the problem.
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