PSITTACOSIS (Zoonotic disease) SERIOUS!!

• Other names are :  
  • Parrot Fever; Chlamydiosis or Ornithosis
    
• It a "Zoonitoc" disease which means it can be passed to humans
• The human form of the disease can be just as severe as the Parrot Form.
• So, a Psittacosis outbreak in an Aviary is very serious.
  
  
• NEVER PURCHASE OR SELL any BIRDS that have signs compatible with Psittacosis
  • e.g. eye or nasal discharge, diarrhoea or low body-weight
  • More in-depth symptoms are listed below  > > > 
    
    
• QUARANTINE all newly acquired birds for 30 - 45 days 
  • or have them blood Tested b4 you add them into a new group of Birds.

What Causes the Disease?

A bacteria called Chlamydia Psittaci.

• This bacteria has 2 forms:
  
  • The Infective form are "Elementary Bodies" (E.B.'s)
  • These are the infectious particles that the bird can pick up.
  • They can survive for several months in dried bird droppings.
    
  • When droppings become dry and crumbly - infected particles can travel in the air!
    
  • Once these E.B's are inside the bird they infect Cells,
  • here they multiply and produce millions of "Reticulate Bodies"  (R.B's)
  • The R.B's grow to become the next generation E.B's
  • These burst out of their cells into the Blood stream, Digestive, Respiratory or Urinary Tracts of the bird.
  • From here they are passed out into the environment where they can infect other birds (or humans).
    
  • It's when the cells burst that makes the bird ill.
    

WHICH BIRDS CAN GET PSITTACOSIS?

• A common misconception was that only Parrot-like birds could contract the disease
• Granted, it is most commonly found in Parrot-like birds
• Psittacosis has been diagnosed in more than 100 Avian Species.
• It can also occur in birds such as pigeons, mynahs, doves
• Less commonly in Finches and canaries etc.,
• When it does occur in Non-parrot-like it is called "Ornithosis"

SIGNS OF ILLNESS

• Signs vary both in parts of the body affected and the severity
• They also vary between species of birds

Usual Signs include:

• Nasal discharge
• diarrhoea
• yellow - green Urates (the "white" part of the droppings)
• Anorexia - poor appetite or stops eating altogether.
• sometimes sudden death can happen
• Some birds do nothing but sit "Fluffed-out" on their perch looking miserable.
• Cockatiels that are affected are commonly seen with Sinusitis.
  

GREEN URATES MUST NEVER BE IGNORED 
(Yellow urates denote Liver problems - also serious)

• - Take the Bird Straight to your Avian VET!

• Remember Psittacosis can be passed to humans, 
• so take all precautions when handling and transporting your bird. 
• (Wearing a Dust Mask and gloves wouldn't be taking things too far!!)
  

SYMPTOMS in humans usually presents as RESPIRATORY illness

Go immediately to your Drs. if you suspect you have been in contact with and infected bird and you develop Flu-like symptoms!

SOME BIRDS can be CARRIERS and show NO SYMPTOMS

• They can become "Carriers" if they get infected and the R.B's in their cells do not mature into the E.B.'s
  • E.B.'s  are the ones that burst out of the cells causing the symptoms of the illness.
  • Instead they just "sit" there and do nothing
  • The bird "looks" fit and well at this point.
     
• However, under certain conditions or in certain situations such as STRESS
• brought about for multiple reasons :
  • i.e. catching-up, transport, away from home environment, feeling persecuted, isolated, insecure, loss of mate, new mate (esp. one that the bird is unsure of), change in diet, poor diet etc., etc.
• The infection may suddenly become active again and the R.B.'s grow into E.B.'S and burst out of their cells, causing the illness associated with Psittacosis.

• There is no way to know if your bird or the bird you are about to buy is a "Carrier"
• The only test that may help is checking for anti-bodies.
• these are produced by the birds' body in response to the disease.
• If a bird has no anti-bodies, it has never met the infection.
• However, if the bird does have antibodies, you can't tell whether it met the infection and got thru it or if it is now a "Carrier".
• A bird can be a "Carrier" and look healthy.
• If an Aviary has had an outbreak in a couple of birds, you could presume that all the birds in the Aviary are "Carriers, even tho this is not actually true!
  

Psittacosis is very difficult to diagnose 

• Most Avian Vets will treat any lethargic bird, with non-specific signs of illness, for Psittacosis
  • using broad-spectrum Anti-biotics, until an accurate diagnosis can be made via Blood tests.
    
    
• This is partly becos birds with psittacosis can deteriorate very rapidly 
• and partly becos of the risk of transfer to humans.
  
  
• It is also difficult to diagnose becos most of the Tests will give false negative results
  • i.e. say that the bird doesn't have infection when, if fact, it does.
    
    
• Without going too deeply into the Ins and Outs of the Tests - briefly:
  
• The Vet will check for the following :
  
  
  • Histopathology 
    • - looking at sections of body tissue under the microscope.
      
      
  • Culture of Bacteria - 
    • Infected birds do not always shed bacteria, so a negative result can be misleading
      
      
  • Tests for Antibodies -
    • High levels can suggest Psittacosis but if the bird has come across Chlamydia in the past 
    • - it could show higher levels of anti-bodies.
      
      
  • Tests for Antigens -
    • This is testing for parts of the Chlamydia bacteria.
    • There are 2 diff. tests
      
      
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a new Test being developed.

TREATMENT

• There is only one Antibiotic recommended for Treatment at the moment 
  • (and it's NOT Baytril or Terramycin powder in water!)
    
    
• RONAXAN 20mg tablets (1/2 tab per day) for 50 days
  • - quite a daunting task getting a tablet into a bird and quite stressful for the bird.
  • Esp. over such a necessary but prolonged period of time. 
    
• So, it's much better to let an Avian Vet do it 
  • or get the Vet to administer an injection of the antibiotic instead.
    
• Whatever you decide, you can guarantee your bird will be come more stressed!
  
• You also need to treat the symptoms of the illness, whether they be anorexia, where the bird isn't eating or drinking.
• Also, any respiratory symptoms etc.,
• Your Avian Vet will guide you on these matters.

DISINFECTION

To help prevent further spread of infection 
- Cages, Aviaries and surroundings should be thoroughly cleaned and treated with :

• Roccal or Zephiran is effective, as is 70% isopropyl alcohol
• 1:1000 dilution of household bleach i.e. 2.5 tablespoons per gallon of water
  
• Many disinfectants can irritate the lungs 
  • - so great care should be taken if using in a confined space.
    
• Make sure the area is well-ventilated.
• Wear a protective mask and rubber gloves.
• Avoid mixing disinfectants with any other product.
  
• This pages is just to outline the basics of the disease 
• to help you recognise symptoms of Psittacosis.
• + have some understanding of what the disease is about 
• and some of the precautions and actions to be taken.
• It is not meant to advise you to try and treat any bird yourself if you suspect it of having Psittacosis.
• You MUST TAKE YOUR BIRD STRAIGHT TO AN AVIAN VET - if you value it's Life!!