Viruses

Viruses

Avian Polyoma Virus

Symptoms: Budgerigars symptoms can be sudden death in birds under 15 days old. Adults symptoms- enlarged abdomen, bleeding under the skin, lack of production of down and contour feathers.

Parrots- sudden death in young birds with no clinical symptoms.

Adults symptom- most show mild signs of depression with some diarrhea for a day or two.

Some infections cause acute death after 12-48 hours of depression, delayed crop emptying, regurgitation, diarrhea and bleeding under the skin Some birds bleed from injection sites Eclectus parrots bloody droppings have been noted.

Diagnosis: Fecal sample is sent to lab for DNA probe detection of virus.
Transmission: Ingested contaminated materials, direct exposure to contaminated droppings, crop excretions, feather dust, and respiratory secretions.
Prevention: Vaccination available Good hygiene practices, maintain closed aviaries.Virus can be inactivated by Chlorox, stabilized chlorine dioxide Oxifresh , phenol and ethanol. Virus is not contagious to humans


Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)

Symptoms: Pneumonia, diarrhea, rapid weight loss and death. Acute depression followed by broken feather shafts, bending,bleeding or premature shedding of developing feathers. Chronic- progressive appearance of abnormally developed feathers with each molt.

Feather changes can include; retention or bleeding in feather shaft, short clubbed feathers, and deformed curled feathers. Beak changes can also be present- progressive elongation of beak with crosswise and lengthwise breaks, rotting appearance of beak and sores in the mouth.

Diagnosis: Virus detected with DNA probe in blood sent to lab Blood feather examined in lab for virus
Transmission: Direct exposure to contaminated droppings, crop excretions, feather dust, and respiratory secretions. Contact with virus contaminated materials or surfaces Affected hen may pass virus to the developing chick
Prevention: No vaccine!Establishing and maintaining flocks that test negative to DNA probe testing. Avoid direct or indirect contact with infected birds
Control: Virus in droppings and feather dust are very hard to inactivate Stabilized chlorine dioxide (Oxifresh ,), sodium hypochlorite or glutaraldehyde are probably best disinfectants Aviary contamination can be determined with DNA probe testing
Treatment: No known cure has been reported! Supportive care and antibiotics may improve overall condition Affected birds must be isolated from all other birds Virus is not contagious to humans


Proventricular Dilation Disease (PDD)

Symptoms: Progressive weight loss despite ravenous appetite Passage of undigested foods and regurgitation Central nervous systems signs include weakness and seizuring A combination of gastric disorders and central nervous system disorders More common in adult birds than young birds
Diagnosis: Acute phase- suspected in birds with very short digestion, food goes in and comes out very quickly Chronic phase- suspected in birds with delayed digestion, food goes in and stays in Crop biopsy positive in 76 of reported cases
Transmission: Not confirmed but believed by direct or indirect contact with virus
Control: No test No vaccine Avoid direct or indirect contact with affected or exposed birds Virus is believed to be inactivated by good hygiene measures
Treatment: No cure! Supportive care, special diet, and broad spectrum antibiotics as needed Unknown if contagious to humans but there have been no reported cases.


Pacheco's Disease Virus
Symptoms: Acute- death with no symptoms Greenish-yellow diarrhea, regurgitation, weakness or seizures Infected survivors may shed virus intermittently
Diagnosis: Virus can be detected from fecal sample using DNA probe
Transmission: Ingested contaminated materials, direct exposure to contaminated droppings, crop excretions, and respiratory secretions.
Prevention: Vaccine is available, not used unless history of outbreaks of this virus
Control: Most disinfectants inactivate this virus Quarantine all new additions and test suspicious birds
Treatment: Acyclovir orally every eight hours This disease is not contagious to humans



Intracellular Bacteria



Avian Chlamydia(Psittacosis, Parrot Fever)

Symptoms: Acute-rough plumage, low body temp., depression, conjunctivitis, difficulty breathing, sinus infections in Budgerigars, weight loss, dehydration, yellow to greenish urates in droppings, gray or watery droppings. Death within 8-14 days. Subacute- progressive weight loss, greenish diarrhea and occasional conjunctivitis. Infected survivors may have no symptoms but may shed the bacteria for several months to years.
Diagnosis: in living bird is challenging Lab tests Antigen detection test ELISA- false positives are possible Antigen capture test -false positives are possible Blood test- positive result means bird was exposed to chlamydia Culture bacteria only direct way demonstrate infection
Transmission: Direct exposure to contaminated droppings, crop excretions, feather dust, and respiratory secretions. Biting insects and mites may be possible
Prevention: Medicated food can be fed Maintain closed aviary Quarantine and test all new birds added to the flock
Treatment: Feeding commercial medicated pellets for 45 days (birds may not eat it) Intramuscular injections of Oxytetracycline Birds should be kept isolated and in warm rooms
Control: Maintain closed aviary Quarantine and test all new birds added to the flock Good hygiene will minimize chlamydia contaminations Wild birds and their droppings should not be in contact with parrots This bacteria is contagious to humans Human infections- flu-like symptoms, high fever, serve headaches, chills and shortness of breath


Mycoses (Fungus)

Aspergillosis

Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, open mouth breathing, "tail bobs" when breathing, depression, weight loss, and yellow to greenish urates in droppings. Wheezing, squeaking or voice change may occur. Nasal aspergillosis -dry, crusty destructive welling of one nostril
Diagnosis: Fungal cultures, blood tests, radiographs, endoscopy and exploratory surgery ELISA test for aspergillosis titers can be run at certain labs
Transmission: Direct exposure to a huge amount of aspergillosis spores inhaled into respiratory system. Infection occurs when immune system is weakened; chronic diseases, poor diet, poor ventilation, lack of sunlight, overcrowding, antibiotic therapy, corticosteriod treatments, respiratory irritants (smoke, disinfectant fumes) and stress
Prevention: Wild birds are carriers of aspergillosis. Avoid exposure to them and their droppings. Wildlife rehabilators take care not to exposing their parrots to this fungus. Avoid damp nesting material, plant potting soil, wet shavings, corn cob and other litters, contaminated corn and peanuts. African Grey and Amazon parrots are more commonly effected with this fungus.
Treatment: Difficult, expensive, and has poor success rate in chronic infections. Surgical removal of infected areas should be done. Flushing areas with antifungal drugs carefully employed may be helpful. Treatments must be supervised by a veterinarian. Course of medication could last for months.
Control: Proper diet, good hygiene and reducing exposure are keys to controlling infections.

All taken from Common Diseases And Infections Of Parrots

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