Beware of Common Avian Ailments

This article is for you if you are interested in getting a introduction to ailments of birds. This article will give an introduction to some common avian ailments, cover preventive measures if they exist, introduce you to symptoms and signs of the ailments, and give a brief description of the cure or treatment if it exists. This article focuses mostly on viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites but also touches on a couple other topics such as Egg Binding, Feather Plucking, Overgrown Beaks and Overgrown Talons. Here are some quick links to the major sections in this article. Also note that other links in this article are to a glossary of terms which will open in another window.

1. Introduction
2. Common Signs of Illness
3. Air Sac Mites
4. Allergic Alveolitis
5. Aspergillosis
6. Avian Influenza (AI)
7. Avian Polyomavirus Disease (APV)
8. Avian Tuberculosis
9. Candidiasis
10. Chlamydia Psittaci
11. Egg Binding
12. Eye Inflammation
13. Feather Plucking
14. Giardia
15. Lice
16. Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV)
17. Overgrown Beaks / Overgrown Talons
18. Pacheco's Disease Virus (PDV)
19. Proventricular Dilation Disease (PDD)
20. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)
21. Red Mites
22. Roundworm
23. Salmonellosis
24. Scaly Face Mites or Leg Mites
25. Tapeworms
26. Threadworm
27. Trichomonas
28. Tips for Giving Medications
29. Summary
30. Suggested Reading Material

Introduction

It used to be the case that 'a sick bird was a dead bird' but avian knowledge and practices have come a long way since then. There is now a much better understanding of common ailments affecting birds. This new understanding is used to devise preventative measures, develop vaccines, treatments and even cures. This is very important because most bird diseases are not self-limiting (i.e. they don't go away on their own like most human diseases such as the common cold). Because these diseases often don't go away on their own, it is critical to catch them as soon as possible. This article will provide some symptoms and signs to watch for to help you recognize possible ailments as early as possible. A more important part of any early detection strategy is regular avian veterinarian exams. A yearly exam including comprehensive testing for viruses (such as APV, PBFD, PDD, NDV, and PDV), bacteria (such as Chlamydia Psittaci and Salmonellosis), fungi infections (such as Aspergillosis and Candidiasis), and parasites (such as tapeworms, roundworms, and mites) is an essential part a preventative care plan for your bird. You avian veterinarian can help you determine your birds risks based on it's history and recommend what testing should be done at your annual avian veterinarian visits.

One warning before proceeding should be presented. Some of the symptoms and signs in this article apply to multiple ailments so it is very difficult if not impossible to diagnose many of these ailments by visual inspection only. So it is critical to leave it up to a professional avian veterinarian to accurately diagnose and advise treatment if required. The next section will list several signs or symptoms of illness that is intended to give you the basic knowledge to recognize problems as soon as possible. The quicker you can get your bird to the avian veterinarian then the more likely there will be a favorable outcome rather than a fatal outcome.

Common Signs of Illness

As mentioned previously, observation alone isn't enough to diagnose many avian ailments but closely observing your bird for changes or the following symptoms/signs will help you in early detection, which is often critical with avian ailments.

In addition to any abnormal behavior, there are several other possible symptoms of a sick bird. Some of these common symptoms are shown below.

• Any abnormal behavior
• Change in droppings (see below)
• Diminished activity
• Discharge from the eyes
• Discharge from the nares (nostrils)
• Depression (sulking or lack of interest in playing)
• Dull or sunken eyes
• Favoring a wing or leg
• Huddling in the bottom of the cage
• Lack of interest in preening
• Loss of appetite
• Off color
• Partially closed or completely closed eyes
• Problems perching
• Refusing favorite treats
• Two-footed perch instead of its normal one-footed perch
• Unusually ruffled feathers

As mentioned above, a change in your bird's droppings may be an indication of a problem. A normal dropping consists of the dark solid feces, white semi-solid urates, and liquid urine. A change in color, consistency, or frequency of droppings should be noted. Be aware that the diet may also affect the droppings. For example, eating fruit with a high water content such as apples and grapes or some vegetables may cause the droppings to be watery. Likewise, eating cheese, grains, or bread may cause the droppings to be firmer. Colored foods may also lead to a color change in droppings. So be aware of what your bird has eaten before being concerned about a change in their droppings. Changes in the dropping due to food will quickly change when the food is removed. Here are some examples of potential problems in the droppings.

• Undigested food seeds or particles may be a sign of Giardia
• Lime Green urates may be a sign of Psittacosis
• Whitish-pink to red droppings may signify a heavy-metal toxicity
• Yellow droppings may indicate liver problems
• Watery droppings may indicate stress or something more serious such as Chlamydia Psittaci

Air Sac Mites

Definition: These blood-sucking parasites (Sternostoma tracheacolum) live in the respiratory tract (trachea, lungs, air sacs) of the bird. For this reason, they are sometimes called 'lung mites'. These mites are transmitted through contaminated food, water, parent to chick feeding, or by direct inhalation.

Prevention: Routine and thorough avian veterinarian examinations and an effective quarantine program are required to prevent infestations.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: It is possible in some cases to see the air sac mites by shining a small, bright focused light (transillumination) across the windpipe (trachea). They will appear as very small, about the size of a grain of sand, dots either moving or stationary. For mild infestations, there may not be any symptoms. Symptoms may appear if the infestation is severe. If symptoms do appear, they may include open-mouth breathing, stains on the feathers around the nares, loss of voice/stops singing, tail bobbing (sign of difficulty breathing), and dyspnea (labored breathing).

Cure/Treatment: Treatment includes using an anti-parasite medication (subcutaneous or oral) and thoroughly cleaning the cage or aviary. There is a risk of death after treatment for severe infestations due to the killing of a large quantity of mites in the respiratory tract.

Allergic Alveolitis

Definition: This is not an ailment that your pet bird gets, this is an ailment that you may get. The name says it all. Allergic (caused by the Allergic reaction of the body to a specific substance or condition) Alveolitis (an inflammation in the inner part of the lungs). This ailment is also known as 'Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis', 'Parakeet Dander Pneumoconiosis' and 'Pigeon Lung Disease'. This occurs most frequently with people that are sensitive to feathers, feather dust, and/or fecal matter. Some people may be genetically predisposed to this ailment. Repeated and prolonged exposure is usually necessary to cause this ailment.

Prevention: Preventative measures include cleaning cages daily, bathing birds frequently, providing good ventilation, and using an air purification system.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: The early symptoms due to low levels of exposure (sub-acute or recurrent) may include coughing, shortness of breath, sweating, sore throat, headache, and nausea. At this level of exposure, removing the source of exposure often eliminates the symptoms. After chronic long-term exposure symptoms worsen and include increased dyspnea (labored breathing) and permanent damage to the lungs. After chronic long-term exposure, an irreversible form may develop with weight loss and similar symptoms to the sub-acute symptoms. At this point, the damage to the lungs may be irreversible and could cause death. The doctor may prescribe x-rays, blood tests or lung function tests but these cannot verify this specific ailment. Usually the patient's history is used along with these tests to make a diagnosis.

Cure/Treatment: Removing the source of the allergen will make the ailment go away after low level (sub-acute) exposure. However, after chronic long-term exposure, the ailment becomes irreversible. The doctor may prescribe medications to make breathing easier for those with chronic long-term exposure.

Aspergillosis

Definition: Caused by Aspergillus fumigatus that is a member of the genus Aspergillus. This fungal disease often develops in the respiratory system and causes dyspnea (labored breathing) but may also develop in the eyes and ears. The spores can become airborne but can also be transmitted via feces and contaminated feed. Healthy adult birds are often resistant to this fungal infection but young birds, sick birds, stressed birds, or suppressed immune system birds are vulnerable.

Prevention: For prevention, provide adequate ventilation, maintain a clean cage or aviary, provide a healthy diet, stress free environment, and make sure food is properly stored. Some of these preventive measures such as a stress free environment and healthy diet are critical to maintaining a healthy immune system and are helpful in preventing disease.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms range from respiratory problems such as dyspnea (labored breathing), abnormal droppings, weight loss, regurgitation, and diarrhea. The avian veterinarian may require blood tests, X-rays (in localized cases to identify densities or nodules), endoscopy (also in localized cases to identify densities or nodules), cloacal or throat swab test (for growing a culture), or DNA testing to verify the presence of Aspergillus and/or to identify specific strains. Knowing the specific strain will aid your avian veterinarian in prescribing a treatment.

Cure/Treatment: It is usually treated orally or intravenously with one of several anti-fungal treatments (to kill the fungus) and immunostimulants (to enhance the immune response). Surgery may be required in rare cases of localized Aspergillomas

Avian Influenza(AI)

Definition: There are three types of this virus. One type (type A) infects birds and other animals while types B and C infect humans. The virus may be shed from respiratory secretions, conjunctiva (eyes) and in feces. This is a viral disease that has zoonotic potential. A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Transmission of the Type A virus between birds and humans is possible.

Prevention: An important way of preventing exposure to the virus is preventing contact of domestic birds with wild birds. It is also important to minimize contact between humans experiencing flu-like symptoms and your bird. An effective quarantine program and good general hygiene (hand washing, cage cleaning, etc) may also be useful measures. Also as with any parrot disease, a stress free environment and a healthy diet are critical to maintaining a healthy immune system.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: The symptoms depend upon several factors including the species of bird infected and the viral strain. Birds often die suddenly without showing signs of illness (asymptotic). If symptoms appear, they can include loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing, loss of balance, torticollis (twisted neck), dyspnea (labored breathing). Also in the case of egg layers, a decrease in egg production may result. Cloacal swabs and respiratory tract swabs are often used to make a diagnoses.

Cure/Treatment: A vaccination has been developed but the rapidly changing strain of the virus makes the vaccine unreliable. Some infected birds may show no symptoms and recover, while others may show no symptoms and die suddenly.

Avian Polyomavirus Disease (APV)

Definition: Once called Budgerigar Fledgling Disease (BFD) but now recognized as affecting most if not all parrot species. Also known as PVD (Polyomavirus Disease). As the name suggests, this is a virus. Healthy adult birds are often resistant to this virus infection but young birds, sick birds, stressed birds, or suppressed immune system birds are vulnerable. There are also cases where young chicks show signs of illness then recover. Feather dust, feces, beak to beak contact (such as parent feeding the chick), or direct contact with an infected environment can spread it. This virus seems to be more prevalent in macaws, conures, Eclectus parrots, ring-neck parakeets, lovebirds, cockatiels and budgies.

Prevention: There is a vaccine for this virus and booster shots are required every year. Some birds can be carriers while showing no symptoms so an effective quarantine process for introducing new birds into your flock can help prevent the spread of the disease. The virus is susceptible to disinfectants such as bleach so routine cleaning can also help contain the spread of the disease. Also as with any parrot disease, a stress free environment and healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms include depression (lack of interest in playing or sulking), bleeding, loss of appetite, weight loss, regurgitation, diarrhea, dehydration, swollen abdomen, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), excessive urination (polyuria), lack of muscle control (ataxia). Blood samples, cloacal swabs, and DNA testing may be required by your avian veterinarian to identify the virus. The cloacal swab tests can identify a bird shedding the virus but a blood test can identify a bird shedding the virus and an infected but not shedding bird.

Cure/Treatment: There is no cure or treatment for his virus. There have been documented cases where a bird tests positive for the virus but tests negative at a later date.

Avian Tuberculosis

Definition: Avian TB has been found in a wide range of species including most if not all pet bird species. This is a bacterial disease that has zoonotic potential. A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Healthy adult birds are more resistant to this bacterial infection while young birds, sick birds, stressed birds, or suppressed immune system birds are more vulnerable. The mycobacterium bacterium (usually M. avium or M. genavense) causes Avian TB and it can be found naturally in soil and water. Ingestion or inhalation of feces from an infected bird transmits Avian TB.

Prevention: An effective quarantine program and good general hygiene (hand washing, cage cleaning, etc) may be useful measures. Also as with any parrot disease, a stress free environment may help prevent shedding the organism and a healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: There are several different forms of the disease with different symptoms that often makes it hard to diagnose. The symptoms include weight loss, depression, diarrhea, fluffing, lumps under the skin, increased urination (polyuria), and dyspnea (labored breathing). Though it is often difficult to diagnose with physical examinations, there are several tests that your avian veterinarian can do. However, these tests are not very reliable due to the intermittent shedding of the organism. Blood tests, x-rays, endoscopy, fecal analysis, cultures, and Acid-fast stain tests can all lead to a preliminary diagnosis in some cases. A positive identification is often made using DNA analysis.

Cure/Treatment: There are drugs to treat the disease but their effectiveness is unproven due to the unreliability of the diagnostic testing.

Candidiasis

Definition: This is caused by yeast called Candida. It is most common in hot humid regions such as Florida in the US. It is more common in cockatiels, lories, lorikeets, and Eclectus parrots. It may be caused by a Vitamin A deficiency. Candida is common in the environment and is found in small quantities inside the bird's digestive system. Healthy adult birds are often at less risk to this ailment while young birds, sick birds, stressed birds, or suppressed immune system birds are more vulnerable.

Prevention: Rotting and spoiled food (especially fruit and vegetables) should be avoided. When feeding fruits and vegetables, it is important to remove it from the bird's environment before it spoils. This can happen quickly in hot humid environments. Clean water and good general hygiene are also important preventative measures. Also as with any parrot disease, a stress free environment and healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: May affect the nose, trachea, lungs, and air sacs. It can appear as a slimy white area inside the mouth and in severe cases it can spread to the crop and digestive tract. Your avian veterinarian may request swabs (cloacal and throat) to grow cultures and a DNA test to identify the Candida strain.

Cure/Treatment: Candidiasis is treated orally with anti-fungal agents over a period of several days.

Chlamydia Psittaci

Definition: Also known as 'Parrot Fever' or 'Ornithosis'. Now called Chlamydia Psittaci because other animals can also transmit the disease. This is a bacterial disease that has zoonotic potential. A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Older humans or humans with suppressed immune systems are most susceptible. It is transmitted through the air in dried feces, aerosolized urine, and respiratory secretions. It can also be transmitted by bird bites (saliva), mouth to beak contact (saliva) or while handling plumage (feather dust).

Prevention: An effective quarantine procedure is essential to prevent a new bird from infecting your flock. Good general hygiene (hand washing, cage cleaning, etc) is also an important preventative measure. Also as with any parrot disease, a stress free environment and healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms in humans are similar to the flu (fever, diarrhea, chills, conjunctivitis, and sore throat). Symptoms in the bird may include dyspnea (labored breathing), loss of appetite, diarrhea, crop inflammation, discharge from the nares, and inflammation of the tissues inside the eyelid (conjunctivitis). Other symptoms include yellow to greenish (lime green pasty urates) droppings or grayish watery droppings. It can be detected by using fecal analysis, using a CBC (Complete Blood Count), or using a SMA (serum Chemistry Panel). Other methods of diagnosis include Psittacosis antibody titer, Psittacosis antigen test (using immunofluorescent staining), and swab culture (cloacal and throat swabs). Finally a DNA test may also be recommended to identify the bacteria.

Cure/Treatment: It can be treated if diagnosed early enough. Usually treated with antibiotics such as Tetracycline using intravenous or intramuscular injections. For the case of humans, Tetracycline is also used.

Egg Binding

Definition: Egg binding is a hen's inability to pass an egg. It may happen with young birds (first time egg layers) or old hens that have reduced muscle tone. Egg binding is also more common with smaller species. It can also occur in non mated birds. It may be caused by a Calcium deficiency, abnormal Calcium metabolism, over sized eggs, or misshapen eggs. If you suspect Egg binding, handle with extreme care because if the egg breaks it can lead to peritonitis, which is a life-threatening situation.

Prevention: A healthy diet that provides the recommended calcium is recommended to prevent egg binding. The ideal diet should include Calcium rich vegetables as part of a diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. Calcium supplements are also an option but less preferred than a well balanced diet. Some breeders provide supplements of oyster shell, limestone, or over-the-counter supplements to egg laying hens during breeding season. Repeated egg binding in a hen may require a hysterectomy to prevent egg binding in the future.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Some symptoms include an unsteady stance or wider stance than normal, inability to perch, fluffy feathers, and settling in the bottom of the cage. Your avian veterinarian may be able to do a physical exam of the abdomen to make a diagnosis or may need to perform an X-ray to verify the diagnosis.

Cure/Treatment: An injection of Calcium is often used to treat this ailment but surgery is required in rare cases. Surgery may require sedation and manually passing the egg using gentle pressure on the abdomen. Another drastic option is Cloacal Ovocentesis that involves inserting a large bore needle through the cloacal into the egg and removing the egg's contents. This makes the egg smaller and easier to pass. If the egg isn't visible then Percutaneous Ovocentesis may be required. This is similar to Cloacal Ovocentesis except the large bore needle is passed through the skin into the egg. Ovocentesis may also require that the egg be broken and removed through the cloacal opening or be allowed to pass naturally. If it doesn't pass naturally then surgery will be required.

Eye Inflammation

Definition: This is often a symptom of more serious ailments but can be an ailment in itself. Dirty talons that accidentally scratch the eye are often the cause.

Prevention: Good general hygiene (cage, perch cleaning etc.) is an important preventative measure. Also as with any parrot disease or infection, a stress free environment and healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms include inflammation of the tissues inside the eyelid (conjunctivitis), eye closed shut, clear discharge from the eye. It may be a symptom of something more serious if both eyes are affected.

Cure/Treatment: Medicated eye drops are an option. They are less effective because the bird may 'blink' the medication away or wipe them away causing further damage or irritation. If eye drops are used, you should hold the bird for a few minutes after application to give the medication time to work. Another option is an opthalmic (or ophthalmic) ointment. This is harder to 'blink' away but can still be wiped away by the bird.

Feather Plucking

Definition: A bird that forcibly pulls it's own feathers may be suffering from any one of numerous ailments. Feather Plucking occurs most often with African Greys, older parrots, and single parrots. It may be caused by skin disorders, allergies, boredom, insufficient diet, lack of bathing, feather parasites, air pollutants, or stress caused by a wide range of environmental or behavioral problems. This list of causes is only a list of possible causes. Some of these 'causes' may only be secondary problems as a result of other ailments. For example, a feather plucker may be diagnosed with Chlamydia Psittaci but this doesn't mean that the Feather Plucking is a result of Chlamydia Psittaci. For example, placing a new couch near the bird's cage may cause stress that leads to the Feather Plucking. In addition to causing Feather Plucking, the stress caused by the new couch will also lower the immune response of the parrot thus making the parrot more susceptible to Chlamydia Psittaci. So in this example, Chlamydia Psittaci didn't cause the Feather Plucking so curing the Chlamydia Psittaci would not fix the Feather Plucking. As you can see, determining root cause for Feather Plucking can be very complicated but it is essential to treating this ailment.

Prevention: As we saw in the previous section, determining the root cause is essential before a prevention plan or treatment plan can be recommended. Many books include chapters on the subject, nearly every avian magazine covers some aspect of this ailment in every issue and there are thousands of 'points of view' on the Internet. The material on this subject is voluminous and too extensive to cover in this article. Besides, most of the information on feather plucking is theory and not fact. Instead, this article will focus on looking at a general plan for determining root cause for this ailment.

Before beginning your investigation you should ensure that your parrots diet and hygiene is sufficient. The existence of a poor diet or lack of bathing opportunities must be eliminated before beginning your investigation. The first step is to eliminate viruses, bacterial infections, fungi infections, skin disorders, and parasites (endo-parasites and ecto-parasites). This will require extensive examination and testing by your veterinarian. If nothing is found during this first step in root cause analysis then proceed to the next step. Step two involves examining the environment for possible allergens or pollutants. Your avian veterinarian may recommend removing items from your parrot's environment such as smoke, scented candles, etc. Step three requires an examination of the environment for something causing stress or lack of something causing boredom. This includes new objects in or near the cage causing stress or the lack of objects to play with or interact with which may include toys, human interaction, or avian companionship. During step three, your avian veterinarian may have some recommendations for adding/removing objects to/from the environment.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms include featherless areas and excessive preening. It frequently starts in the chest area and spreads to all reachable areas but often doesn't include the flight feathers and tail feathers. Note that if the feather plucking is localized around the Uropygial gland (preen gland or oil gland) then it may indicate a problem with the gland.

Cure/Treatment: There are aerosols that are sold to combat this ailment. They cause a foul taste and don't usually work because parrots don't have a very good taste. Also, this doesn't address the root cause of the problem. Another treatment involves the application of a collar called an Elizabethan (a.k.a. E. Collar) Collar that prevents the parrot from reaching its feathers to pluck them. This doesn't address the root cause of the problem either. The root cause of the problem must be isolated before a treatment can be recommended. Review the section on Prevention for the steps to use to determine the root cause of the ailment.

Giardia

Definition: This is a single-celled opportunistic protozoan that is commonly found in untreated water. It is resistant to disinfectants such as chlorine but is susceptible to boiling. Ingesting contaminated fecal matter or fecal contaminated food and water can transmit it. It exists in the trophozoite (mobile form) and cyst form. It infects the small intestine and is passed in cyst form in the feces.

Prevention: An effective quarantine program and minimizing overcrowding are the only known preventive measures. A clean, dry, spacious, uncontaminated environment will also help to prevent Giardia. Eating fruit or vegetables that have been cleaned with contaminated water can also infect birds.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Infected birds may show no symptoms while still passing the cyst form in their feces. Symptoms are large, loose, foul smelling, oily-looking stools, diarrhea, passing whole seeds in droppings, anorexia, weakness, weight loss, fluffed feathers, and itchy dry skin. The parasite also makes the bird more susceptible to other diseases. This is caused by the parasite absorbing nutrients. This reduces the immune response of the infected bird and can often result in secondary diseases. This makes it difficult to diagnose this parasite based on symptoms. Diagnosis is made using fecal analysis but the feces must be fresh for a successful diagnosis of the trophozoite (mobile form). If the faecal matter isn't fresh, a Stain Test for the cyst form can still be used.

Cure/Treatment: May be treated with anti-parasite medications but they are not always reliable or effective. These medications often require multiple courses of treatment.

Lice

Definition: There are several varieties of lice and most are host specific so most do not affect birds. Generally, avian lice feed on bits of skin or feather products. The eggs are usually laid in clusters (nits) along the shaft of the feathers.

Prevention: Routine thorough examinations and an effective quarantine program are required to prevent infestations.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms include restlessness, excessive preening, ruffed or fluffed feathers, and irritation. The feathers or plumage may or may not have visible damage depending on the severity of infestation.

Cure/Treatment: There are several possible treatments including powders, bathing solutions, and vapors.

Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV)

Definition: Also known as 'Exotic Newcastle Virus', Exotic Newcastle Disease' or 'END'. This is a contagious and fatal viral disease and one of the reasons for requiring vaccines of imported parrots. It can infect birds and people. This disease can be devastating to a poultry population. Parrots smuggled into the US circumvent the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) quarantines and testing and are at high risk for this ailment.

Prevention: As with any disease, an effective quarantine program is essential to protect your flock from an infected newcomer. This is especially true in this case if you suspect that the bird is a smuggled bird that didn't pass through the USDA screening.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms vary depending based on the strain of the virus and the species of bird. This makes it a very difficult disease to diagnose based on symptoms. It affects the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems. An infected bird may exhibit sneezing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, greenish or watery droppings, nervousness, tremors, drooping wings, paralysis, or sudden death. Other symptoms include a partial or complete stop in egg-laying, abnormal eggs and greenish watery diarrhea. The symptoms in humans include conjunctivitis, chills, fever and lethargy. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) or DNA testing (using cloaca or trachea swabs) is required to verify the presence of the virus.

Cure/Treatment: There is no treatment. If detected on a shipment of imports, the entire shipment is usually slaughtered. Any infected bird should be euthanized. For humans, the treatment includes fluids, rest, and a healthy diet.

Overgrown Beaks / Overgrown Talons

Definition: As the name suggests, overgrown talons/beaks are talons/beaks that are too long. This can cause serious injury (broken legs) or death if the bird gets caught and/or hung due to it's long talons. overgrown talons may also create problems perching. Similarly the overgrown beak can cause serious problems. It may discourage gnawing or chewing which worsens the problem and may discourage eating which would be fatal. An overgrown beak is also more susceptible to breaking which could be catastrophic.

Prevention: Normally preventable by providing the correct environment. This includes plenty of appropriately sized chewing or gnawing toys to keep the beak trim and appropriately sized sandy or concrete perches to keep the talons trim. The appropriate sized toys are critical to keeping the beak trim. If the toys are too large it will discourage the bird from gnawing on them. The perch size is also critical to keeping the talons trim. If the perch is too large it will discourage the bird from using it and if the perch is too small then the talon tips will not come in contact with the abrasive surface.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: As mentioned previously, the signs are obvious in this case. Use the following method to check for overgrown talons. While standing on a flat surface, the bird's talons should not raise the metatarsals (a.k.a. Digital Pads) too far off the ground. If they do then the talons may be too long. To check for an overgrown beak, look for signs of a lack of interest in gnawing, chewing or eating and compare the beak to other birds of the same species.

Cure/Treatment: The preventative measures described above should keep the beak and nails trim. If further action is required, it is recommended that you have an avian veterinarian trim your bird's talons. The talons have a blood supply in them and serious bleeding can result if the talon is cut incorrectly. This will most likely require a toweling by the vet while trimming the talons. It is also recommended that you have your avian veterinarian file your bird's beak if required. The beak also has a blood supply in it so serious injury can result if done improperly. The avian veterinarian may or may not use anesthesia on the bird before filing the beak. A Dremel tool, emery board, or similar instrument is usually used to file the beak.

Pacheco's Disease Virus (PDV)

Definition: This is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Virus. This virus can kill very quickly. It may take as little as five (5) days from time of exposure to time of death. This virus primarily infects lymphatic tissue, skin, and nerve cells. New World Birds (native to North, Central, South Americas and the Caribbean) are less susceptible than Old World Birds (native to Africa and Australasia). It is transmitted via dust or aerosol and can be found in feces or nasal discharges. It can also be transmitted via infected food and water.

Prevention: Good general hygiene (hand washing, cage cleaning, etc) is an important preventative measure. Routine cleaning of feeding containers and supplying fresh food and water is also recommended. Also as with any parrot disease, a stress free environment and healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system. An effective quarantine plan is also essential. However, quarantine alone isn't sufficient because some birds can be carriers without symptoms and only begin shedding the virus in their feces when stressed. It is similar to the virus in humans whereby it is contagious (shedding) during short periods followed by periods when it is non-contagious (latent). Using chlorine bleach as a cleaning solution can be used to kill the virus but most disinfectants do not kill the virus. There is a vaccination for this virus but it isn't clear if it's effective for all strains of the virus and it may lead to complications in some birds. It is only recommended for birds that are at a high risk.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Since this virus kills so quickly, death is often the first and only sign of the virus. In the case of death, the virus is often diagnosed only during necropsy. Symptoms include lethargic behavior, anorexia, ruffled plumage, and diarrhea. In cases when suspected early, before symptoms have occurred, the diagnosis can be made using a blood test, cloacal swab, and a DNA test.

Cure/Treatment: As mentioned previously, there is a vaccination for this ailment but it may not be completely effective or may cause complications. However, if caught early enough (before symptoms appear) some anti-viral herpes medications can be helpful.

Proventricular Dilation Disease (PDD)

Definition: Also know as 'Macaw Wasting Syndrome', 'Macaw Fading Syndrome' or 'Proventricular Hypertrophy'. It is a virus that affects the proventriculus (first part of the bird's stomach). This often causes secondary problems such as bacterial infections due to rotting food inside the bird.

Prevention: Though there is no known preventative measure, an effective quarantine program and good general hygiene (hand washing, cage cleaning, etc) may be useful measures. Also as with any parrot disease, a stress free environment and healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy immune system.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Wasting away or rapid weight loss is the classical symptom. Other symptoms include muscle atrophy, abdominal swelling, weakness, excessive urination (polyuria), diarrhea, loss of coordination (ataxia) and seizures. A definitive diagnosis is often made after death via a microscopic examination of the bird's tissues. However, x-rays can often be used to detect Proventricular dilatation due to impacted food.

Cure/Treatment: There is no vaccine, cure or treatment but dietary changes can prolong and/or improve the bird's remaining life.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)

Definition: This is a very contagious virus that is a member of the Circoviridae. Old World Birds (native to Africa and Australasia) are more susceptible but all psittacines appear to be susceptible. This virus attacks and suppresses the immune system thus may make the bird more susceptible to other diseases. The virus is found in feces, feather dust, and the crop. Healthy adult birds are often able to overcome this viral ailment while young birds, sick birds, stressed birds, or suppressed immune system birds are more susceptible. The virus can be transmitted by contact, inhalation, ingestion, crop feeding, infected fecal material, and feather dust. The virus can remain in the environment for months after the removal of the infected bird.

Prevention: Some birds may test positive but never develop symptoms. Some of these birds will develop symptoms at a later date while some will begin testing negative for the virus. So an effective quarantine program is essential to protecting the rest of your flock.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: There are a wide range of symptoms including a loss of feathers, abnormal feathers, loss of powder down, overgrown or abnormal beak, lesions on the beak, and rapid weight loss. Note that very young chicks often die before showing these symptoms because they haven't developed their plumage yet. Because it affects the immune system, it may make the bird susceptible to other secondary diseases so symptoms from secondary diseases may be an indicator that the virus is present. It is often diagnosed using a blood test, cloacal swab, skin biopsy, surgical biopsy of feather and shaft (an abnormal feather preferably), and a DNA test.

Cure/Treatment: There is no cure or treatment. It appears that most healthy adult birds are capable of producing an effective immune response, which results in the elimination of the virus. Subsequent testing often shows that most will test negative for the virus. Any bird that tests positive should be isolated from the flock.

Red Mites

Definition: As the name suggests, these are red mites. They typically feed at night causing a restless sleepless night for your bird. Red mites can be found on the skin or feathers at night. The head and vent are usually the infested regions attacked. Red mites can also feed on the blood of humans and other pets.

Prevention: Thorough cleaning, fumigation and insecticide treatments are required to prevent infestations. Careful monitoring of mite numbers and reacting early can help to prevent heavily infested flocks.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: One possible symptom is a restless bird at night. In severe infestations, anemia may result in a loss of conditioning. One way to diagnose this ailment is by placing white sheets around the cage at night. They typically come out and feed on the bird at night and then retreat to cracks and crevices of the cage in the morning. So an examination of the sheet in the morning will show brown or red specks the size of a grain of pepper. Examination of the bird during the day is usually ineffective.

Cure/Treatment: Birds may be treated with anti-parasite medication, a flea/tick spray, or an insecticide powder. Because the mites suck blood, your avian veterinarian will also examine your bird to ensure that the bird isn't anemic.

Roundworm

Definition: This is an endo-parasite (Ascaridia sp). The worms are round, white, and between one and three inches in length. Very young chicks are usually symptomatic however more mature birds are usually not symptomatic. The endo-parasite is transmitted by ingestion of eggs in feces, soil, and/or food. It can become very serious as it migrates extensively in the intestinal lining causing tissue damage, blood loss and intestinal lesions.

Prevention: You can prevent or minimize exposure by eliminating dirty floors, perches over food/water dishes, dishes on the ground, poor hygiene. In addition, as with any disease or ailment, an effective quarantine program is essential.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms include poor growth, listlessness, diarrhea, and weight loss. Macroscopic examination for worms or eggs in the feces is necessary to diagnose.

Cure/Treatment: Treated using an anti-parasite medication.

Salmonellosis

Definition: This is a bacterial disease that has zoonotic potential. A zoonotic disease is one that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This is a resilient bacterium that can survive in soil, water or food for long periods of time. It is transmitted via oral ingestion of contaminated food, water and through the egg. Transmission through the egg can be by vertical transmission (mother hen to chick) or by direct penetration through the shell of the egg.

Prevention: Make sure food is properly stored to prevent spoiling and rotting. As with any disease, a stress free environment and healthy diet are critical to maintaining a healthy immune system and are helpful in preventing diseases.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: In the case of the bird, symptoms include Polyuria (excessive urination), blood in the feces, or dark brown feces. In the case of the human, symptoms can include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, fever and dehydration. Fecal swabs or cloacal swabs are used for diagnosis.

Cure/Treatment: Treatment for the bird includes providing plenty of fluids and aggressive antibiotics for several weeks depending on the culture. Sometimes yogurt is given after recovery to rebalance the helpful bacteria in the gut's lining. There are also lactobacillus preparations or Probiotic Preparations that may be used. In the case of humans, antibiotics are usually not required.

Scaly Face (Leg) Mites

Definition: This is an easily visible under magnification ecto-parasite called Cnemidocoptes. This ecto-parasite is more common on budgerigars and rare on all other psittacines.

Prevention: An effective quarantine program is essential to protect your flock. Once an infected member is allowed into the flock, eradicating the mite is difficult especially for large flocks.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms include a white, chalky, porous, encrustation at the corners of the mouth, cere (lump at the base of the beak), eyelids, and beak. In some species of birds (such as the canary) symptoms include a bumps on the foot (a.k.a. Scaly Leg) that look similar to corns. Diagnosis is made using recovered mites from the facial scrapings of budgerigars. Scraping of the foot crust in other species may lead to bleeding thus it isn't recommended.

Cure/Treatment: An anti-parasite medication is used for treatment.

Tapeworms

Definition: There are several different species of endoparasite tapeworms. The two most relevant to birds are Choanotaenia (common in passerines) and Raillietina (common in psittacines and pigeons). They are characterized as having head (with suckers or hooks), a segmented body, and are wider than they are thick. They are passed through the feces of the infected bird to an intermediate host that is then ingested by another bird. This parasite often causes poor development and illness in juveniles.

Prevention: Since this parasite often requires an intermediate host, eliminating those intermediate hosts can help to prevent the spread of the parasite. It is also for this reason, that granivorous (seed and grain eating) birds are less susceptible than insectivorous (insect eating) birds.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, dullness, loss of appetite, and weakness. Can be diagnosed using fecal analysis.

Cure/Treatment: Anti-parasitic medication is useful in some cases but aren't always effective or even necessary.

Threadworm

Definition: This endoparasite, Strongyloides avium, usually infects chicken, turkey and wild birds. Other versions also affect other animals but this parasite is host specific for the most part. It is endemic mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions but is also found in some temperate areas. The S. avium infects the small intestine, the ceca (if it exists), skin, lungs, and the gut wall. This ailment can be deadly for young chicks. Transmission is ingestion via food, water, or soil.

Prevention: Good general hygiene (aviary or cage cleaning, etc) may be useful to prevention. Also providing uncontaminated food (safe storage) and water (change frequently) may help as well as frequently cleaning food and water dispensers. It is also helpful to not place perches over food/water dishes and to not place dishes on the ground. In addition, as with any disease or ailment, an effective quarantine program is essential.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Usually there are no symptoms with a light infection. For heavy infections, weight loss or diarrhea is possible. This ailment can be diagnosed by finding eggs (or larvae) in a feces sample, adult parasites in mucosal scrapings, or in tissue sections postmortem.

Cure/Treatment: Recovery from this parasite is possible using an antiparasitemedication. Death may result but usually only in young chicks.

Trichomonas

Definition: This is a protozoan parasite called trichomonas gallinae and causes the disease trichomoniasis. The protozoan exists in a trophozoite (mobile) stage only. It moves using hair-like structures known as flagella. Ingesting contaminated food and water can infect birds. The protozoa lives in the mouth, esophagus, crop and tracheae thus it is possible for chicks to be infected by a feeding hen. Young chicks are very susceptible to this parasite and may die as a result of infection. Transmission is also via contamination of food and water when and infected bird has extensive oral lesions.

Prevention: Good general hygiene (aviary or cage cleaning, etc) may be useful to prevention. Also providing uncontaminated food (safe storage) and water (change frequently) may help as well as frequently cleaning disinfecting food and water dispensers using a bleach solution. It is also helpful to not place perches over food/water dishes and to not place dishes on the ground. In addition, as with any disease or ailment, an effective quarantine program is essential.

Symptoms/Signs/Tests: Symptoms include salivating excessively, loss of appetite, vomiting, ruffled feathers, diarrhea, difficulty closing their mouth, difficulty eating, dyspnea (labored breathing), watery eyes and weight loss. The parasite can be found in oral fluids under magnifications and in scrapings taken from the mouth, crop, or trachea. Visible lesions inside the mouth are also evident with this ailment. A culture may also be used for diagnosis.

Cure/Treatment: Antiprotozoal medications can be used for treatment.

Common Avian Veterinarian Tests

X-rays: Used for several purposes such as to identify Aspergillomas densities or nodules, to diagnose Egg Binding, and to identify lung problems.

Cloacal Swab Test: A cotton swab is used to take a surface sample of the Cloacal region for growing a bacteria or fungi culture and for DNA based diagnostics.

Throat Swab Test: A cotton swab is used to take a surface sample of the throat for growing a bacterial or fungi culture and for DNA based diagnostics.

DNA Based Diagnostics: Viral specific DNA technology was first used to test for the Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) and Avian Polyoma (APV) viruses. These tests have been commercially offered since 1992. DNA based diagnostics identify the unique DNA sequence making up the desired viral genome. These sequences are detected in DNA extracts from cloacal, throat, and other swab samples. DNA amplification techniques coupled with internal sequence probes allow for diagnostic tests of extreme specificity and sensitivity. The high sensitivity of these tests requires prudent sample collection and handling to eliminate contaminants from producing a false positive test result.

Tips for Giving Medications

Your avian veterinarian may prescribe medications for many of the ailments in this article. It is important to follow the directions and in many cases to not stop giving the medication until your avian veterinarian instructs you to even if the symptoms subside. Listed below are several of the more common methods of giving medication.

Water Soluble Medications - This method puts the medication in the drinking water of the bird. This is the easiest method to administer but this method is unpredictable and unreliable. It is difficult to control and/or observe the dosages. Some birds reduce water intake when they are sick which also makes this a non-preferred method. Be sure to remove all other sources of water (including fruit) when using this method to encourage drinking. This method may work with small birds but larger birds would have to drink too much water to consume enough of the medication. Always make sure that your bird is drinking. Often birds will avoid the water due to smell or taste. This would not only prevent them from getting the medication but would also dehydrate them.

Medicated Foods - Also hard to monitor the dosage because a lot of the food ends up on the bottom of the cage or aviary. A loss of appetite during a lot of ailments also makes this method impractical. The taste of the food often discourages the bird from ingesting the medication. Always make sure that your bird is eating something. Often birds will avoid the medicated food due to smell or taste. This would not only prevent them from getting the medication but would also remove their source of nourishment.

Medicated Powder - Powdered medication may be designed for ingestion or inhalation. For ingestion, it may be sprinkled on dry food but the medication will be discarded or removed by the bird because of its taste, smell or texture before it eats the food. It is sometimes effective to sprinkle it on fruit to encourage ingestion. Again, always make sure that your bird is eating something. Often birds will avoid the medicated food due to smell or taste. This would not only prevent them from getting the medication but would also remove their source of nourishment. Powder can also be administered as an inhalant such as for the treatment of Air Sac Mites. In this case the powder is put in a bag and shook similar to a 'shake and bake' to get the powder suspended in the air. The bird is then placed in the bag to inhale the powder.

Oral Dosage - This is an accurate method of administering medication. It is often given using a syringe (with needle removed) or eyedropper. Previously hand fed babies will allow this but most birds will not and may require restraining (toweling). This is stressful to an already ill bird so should be done as carefully as possible. You must make sure that the medication is not administered into the trachea (opening to the respiratory tract) which will choke the bird.

Injections - Very accurate dosage but the bird will need to be restrained. Injections should only be made by a veterinarian. There are cases where bird owners learn to do this if required on a regular basis such as a bird with diabetes.

Summary

As you can see from the information in this article, the old saying that 'a sick bird was a dead bird' is no longer applicable. An avian veterinarian can treat many common avian ailments if they are caught early enough. There is now a much better understanding of common ailments affecting birds than there were just 10 years ago. New procedures, vaccines, treatments, and cures are continually being investigated. Early detection is usually the key to survival for your bird. Hopefully this article provides the basic information and symptoms that will help you detect problems as soon as possible. Equally important are regular avian veterinarian exams. Your avian veterinarian is often better at detecting ailments and the veterinarian's lab tests are much better at detecting problems early. Some diagnoses are impossible based on symptoms alone so it is critical to leave it up to a professional avian veterinarian and his lab tests to accurately diagnose and advise treatment if required.

Suggested Reading Material

Here is a list of suggested reading material.