Parrot Diseases
Psittacosis (Parrot Fever)
What it is?
Parrot fever is also known as psittacosis, chlamydiophila psittaci, or ornithosis. It is an infectious disease that can occur in most species of birds. It is usually spread through contact with droppings and the dust of birds.
Symptoms of Psittacosis in Birds
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Depression
- Watery, green droppings
- Discharge from eyes and nose
Failure to catch these symptoms early enough can lead to sudden death in your pet bird. If your bird exhibits these symptoms, get it to a vet quickly.
Treatment
Antibiotic treatment under the proper care of your avian vet can result in the successful treatment of your bird.
Contagious to humans?
This disease can be transmitted to humans and will present itself as being very flu-like.
Polyomavirus in Birds
What it is?
Avian Polyomavirus is another infectious disease that can be found across mammals and occurs in birds. This is a very deadly virus that often affects younger birds. Some studies have indicated that adult birds may develop an immunity. The spreading of the disease happens through the dander of birds, droppings, and touching of the birds. Budgies are considered to be one of the most prevalent carriers, so take extra care if they are your bird of choice.
Symptoms of Polyomavirus in Birds
It can take a period of time before the bird shows any sign of infection.
- Swollen abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
Treatment
Vaccination against polyomavirus is recommended and should be done when the birds are still in the breeder’s nursery. There is no known treatment for an infected bird. Strict hygiene and limiting the contact between potentially infected birds is the best preventative action to guard against this disease.
Contagious to humans?
Some forms of this disease can be spread to humans.
Pacheco’s Disease in Birds
What it is?
This deadly, viral disease is caused by a form of the herpes virus. It is spread through infected feces and nasal discharge. General stress encountered when moving, breeding, or brooding over the loss of a mate can active the virus which had been dormant in your parrot.
Symptoms of Pacheco’s Disease in Birds
- Tremors
- Lethargy
- Sinusitis
- Anorexia
- Green droppings
- Sudden death
Treatment
The anti-viral drug Acyclovir can be effective if treatment is started early, but it can cause kidney damage. It is a highly contagious and deadly disease. Quarantine is the best preventative measure.
Contagious to humans?
It doesn’t appear to be contagious to humans.
Giardia in Birds
What it is?
This parasitic disease that can be passed from infected birds through cysts released into the bird’s feces. Unclean water supplies are a common source of this problem.
Symptoms of Giardia in Birds
- Diarrhea
- Dry itching skin
- Weight loss
- Bulky stool
- Depression
Treatment
Giardia can be treated with antibiotics and usually requires several courses as it often recurs. Prevention is best accomplished by keeping the aviary clean and dry and avoiding overcrowding. The use of water bottles is recommended instead of open water supplies.
Contagious to humans?
It is possible for humans to get giardia if they drink from the same water supply of birds, which should be fairly straightforward to avoid.
Malnutrition in Birds
What it is?
Any of the common signs of illness listed in this section may be the result of malnutrition. If you have your bird on a good diet of nutritionally balanced pellets and fresh foods this should not be a problem. However, they may be lacking certain vitamins in which case you may want to consider checking out our bird supplements guide so that you can overcome these deficiencies.
Symptoms of Malnutrition in Birds
A sign of such deficiencies can be feather stress bars and darkened feathers. You should also ensure the bird is getting enough full spectrum sunlight, especially if they are indoors for most of the day. If this is the case, they may require artificial bird lighting, as seen in our guide here.
Treatment
One needs to be cautious when changing diet, as in some cases birds will not accept the new food and will literally starve themselves. It is recommended that you visit your vet and have your bird examined before a major change in diet. Once the bird’s nutritional needs are met the negative symptoms should resolve themselves over time.
Contagious to humans?
No.
Psittacine beak and feather disease
What it is?
Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV) or Psittacine Circoviral Disease (PCD). It is the most common and highly infectious viral disease among parrots. The disease appears to have originated in Australia. Its distribution is Australia-wide, including Tasmania
How do birds become infected with the virus?
When exposed to a bird that is positive for PBFD, susceptible birds can become infected through the oral cavity, nasal passages, and through the cloaca (the common receptacle in which the urinary, gastrointestinal, and genital tracts empty). The virus is readily shed in the feces and the crop (storage area of the stomach). Viral particles shed into the crop may explain how the virus is passed from parents to offspring (during feeding of crop milk). High concentrations of the virus are shed in feather dust from infected birds, which increases the chances of its spread by people, on their clothing or hair.
Outcomes of PBFD
Psittacine beak and feather disease can cause very high death rates in nestlings both in captivity and the wild. It can cause long-term immunological suppression, as well as cause feather and beak abnormalities. It can be spread by food sharing through the bird’s crop, fresh or dried excrement and feather and skin particles. The virus is extremely stable in the environment and can survive in nest hollows for years..
Control of PBFD
Prevention is the best method of control as there is no effective treatment for psittacine beak and feather disease. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove the virus once it has been introduced into a captive or wild population. The level of threat and distribution of the virus can be altered by the movements of common parrot species. While eradication of a widespread and continuously present disease is not possible, well developed management plans based on current knowledge can assist in reducing the impact of the disease on threatened parrot populations.
How is psittacine beak and feather disease treated?
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this usually fatal disease, though supportive care and a stress-free environment can extend the life of your bird. Your veterinarian can advise you in providing these for your bird. Infected birds should be kept isolated from non-infected birds, as the disease is easily transmitted. Do not let other people who also own birds visit or play with your PBFD-positive bird. PBFD birds should never be taken to a boarding facility that houses other birds. Ensure your veterinarian is aware of your bird’s condition ahead of your appointment.
Contagious to humans?
No.