Instructions
Watch your pigeon. A pigeon who is coping with psittacosis may suffer from convulsions or shivering that does not seem to stop. The shaking might range from very slight to very severe.
Check the food dish. A loss of appetite will result in a fuller food bowl and it is one sign that often accompanies psittacosis. A loss of appetite is a common symptom whenever a pigeon is not feeling well. On its own, it is not necessarily a sign of psittacosis.
Listen to your pigeon. Psittacosis is an infection of the lungs, and because of this, your pigeon might develop a rattle in his chest or have difficulty breathing.
Consider your pigeon's history. The incubation period can vary widely, depending on the strength of the strain and the susceptibility of your bird, but to have psittacosis, your pigeon would have been exposed to another bird or its droppings.
Check the droppings. One way that many people realize that something is wrong with their pigeon is that they start producing watery, green stool or stool that is black and tarry.
Call your veterinarian. Symptoms alone are not enough to diagnose a pigeon with psittacosis. A veterinarian will be able to administer X-rays or blood tests, both of which are commonly used to give a diagnosis on this issue.
How to Diagnose Psittacosis in Pigeons
Psittacosis, a dangerous condition for pigeons, is a type of lung infection that is caused by the Chlamydia psittaci microorganism. It is transmitted through the inhalation of dried dust from contaminated bird droppings or respiratory secretions, and it can affect humans and a number of other animals as well as birds. Understanding how this type of lung infection is diagnosed can help you get speedier treatment for your pigeons.