• 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!!