What Are Symptoms Of Parrot Disease?

What is parrot disease and how can I protect my birds from it? We explain the most important facts here.

Parrot Disease Definition

The parrot disease in birds, the so-called psittacosis (in parrots) or ornithosis (when it affects other bird species) is an infectious disease. The bacterium Chlamydophila (formerly Chlamydia) psitacci is their trigger. It multiplies in the cells of the infected animal and is then excreted in feces, nasal or ocular secretions. Its highly resistant infectious form can last for many months in the outside world and is primarily inhaled with dust. In the lungs, the germ first affects a few cells, from where it then spreads to the body. Just a few days after infection, the animal is contagious to other birds and mammals. The parrot disease is also a so-called zoonosis, i.e. a disease that can spread from animals to humans.

How Dangerous Is Parrot Disease?

The range of possible symptoms and their severity is very large. The disease can go unnoticed or be very severe and fatal within days.

This depends on various factors:

• How old is this animal? Young animals are often more affected.
• How do the birds live? Are you under stress, e.g. B. because of the purchase of new animals, visits to exhibitions, or changes in their husbandry, they are more at risk of becoming seriously ill with the parrot disease?
• How healthy are the animals? If the bird has previously been ill or has an accompanying infection, parrot disease is likely to be more severe than in a healthy, fit animal.

Parrot Disease Symptoms

Often the symptoms of parrot disease are quite general: apathy, lack of appetite, emaciation, and ruffled plumage are common. Conjunctivitis and sinusitis, each with discharge from the eyes and nose, are also seen. If the discharge turns yellow, other germs have settled in.

However, the parrot disease also causes breathing noises (such as snoring or wheezing) and difficult breathing. Another possible consequence of the disease is watery, greenish-yellow diarrhea, possibly with blood in it.

If the central nervous system is affected, tremors, cramps, paralysis, and heart problems occur.

Parrot Disease Diagnosis

If you observe signs of illness in your bird, please consult an avian vet as soon as possible! He will examine your animal extensively. In addition to the physical examination, further tests are necessary for a reliable diagnosis of the parrot disease: X-rays and ultrasound can be used to confirm a suspicion. A laboratory test to detect the triggering chlamydia provides final clarity. Some practices carry out a quick test on-site. Material for growing the germs on a culture medium must be sent to an external laboratory.

Treatment Of Parrot Disease

There are effective antibiotics that kill pathogens. All birds living with sick animals must always be treated. Following the treatment, a check must be carried out in the form of two fecal samples a few days apart.

Important: Cages and other material, such as B. Climbing trees in the apartment must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected!

The likelihood that affected birds will recover is high; the treatment usually works well. Unfortunately, chlamydia can be very tough and still continue to be excreted, even if the birds are obviously doing well. You are still contagious.

Can You Prevent Parrot Disease?

The parrot disease is transmissible – e.g. B. about cage equipment and dust. And from bird to bird: Parrot disease is also possible in budgerigars or other birds other than parrots. As already mentioned, mammals are also affected. Infection cannot always be avoided. This is also due to the fact that latently (i.e. hidden) infected birds excrete the germs without anyone noticing. However, hygiene and the avoidance or reduction of dust represent good protection.

If you’re buying a new bird to join the group, try to keep it in a solitary aviary first and have it tested for chlamydia so it doesn’t carry the parrot disease. Bird shows or similar are of course particularly risky because many strange birds meet here.

Parrot Disease In Other Animals

As already mentioned, other animals can also be infected with parrot disease. Dogs then show z. B.

• Fever
• vomiting & diarrhea
• Cough
• conjunctivitis

Although this disease often heals in dogs on its own, it sometimes needs to be treated with antibiotics. Puppies and already chronically ill dogs are particularly at risk.

Parrot Disease In Humans

People who have contracted the parrot disease sometimes experience pneumonia with fever and severe headaches. Other symptoms such as body aches and circulatory problems also occur. The disease can usually be treated well but can be very dangerous. If you observe such symptoms in yourself and are also a bird owner, talk to your family doctor about it! A laboratory test then quickly provides clarity.

Conclusion

Although the parrot disease is now rare, it can be very unpleasant – for humans and animals. The causative bacteria are quite resistant. The disease is easily treated with antibiotics.