Exotic Bird Diseases

Exotic bird diseases can affect one bird or complete aviaries. However, several steps can be taken to avoid spreading diseases. Always have your avian veterinary check new additions to your flock as soon as possible. Quarantine new birds for six weeks before introducing them to any other birds in your household. Wash your hands between handling birds, cages and containers. Take precautions to avoid cross contamination by using different food and water containers for each cage.

  1. Psittacosis

    • Psittacosis is an infectious disease that can be fatal, not only to birds but also to humans and other animals. It is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci bacteria and often referred to as avian chlamydiosis or parrot fever. Symptoms include diarrhea, fluffed up feathers, lethargy, poor appetite, weakness or labored breathing. Additionally, discharge or swelling of the eyes or nose is a common sign of psittacosis. This is an airborne disease transmitted through infected bird droppings or nasal discharge by either inhalation of airborne particles or ingestion. This disease is difficult to recognize and often found only through pathology testing. Once determined, treatment includes antibiotic therapy. If the bird is not treated, death is imminent. Because the disease is so contagious extreme caution must be used during handling sick birds. The bird must be kept in quarantine until an avian veterinarian approves removal.

    Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)

    • PBFD is caused by a virus from the member of the Circoviridae group. The most common exotic birds that are affected by this disease include eclectus, cockatoos, ringneck parakeets, African greys, lovebirds and macaws. Symptoms include loss of feathers or abnormal feathers, abnormal beak growth with symmetrical beak lesions and occasionally on the nails, weight loss and depression. Transmission of the disease is through ingestion or inhalation of airborne particles, direct contact, crop-feeding, feather dust and infected droppings. Cross contamination from surfaces such as cages, food dishes, nesting materials and carriers also spread the disease. According to Avian Biotech, experimental vaccines are being developed, however there is no known treatment.

    Aspergillosis

    • This is a fungal disease found in many exotic birds. The Aspergillus fumigates is a member of the genera and is known to produce endotoxins, which are responsible for the aspergillosis disease. Some of the symptoms include respiratory distress, regurgitation, diarrhea, poor appetite, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge and increased thirst. The aspergillus fumigates spread spores during dry windy weather. Transmission is through inhalation of the spores (conidia) found in feed, soil, and fecal material. Most healthy birds resist the disease. However, the old, young, stressed and birds already sick are most susceptible. Aspergillus can penetrate an egg and infect the embryo. Several antifungal treatments include Flucytosine, Amphotericin, and Flconazole &Itraconazole. If the Aspergillomas is localized, surgery may be required.