Disease & Parasite ID: Birds

Parasites

Roundworm Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms/Complications: Zoonotic, internal parasites that affects dogs and cats intestinal system How is it contracted? Contact w/parasite in unclean environment Symptoms/Complications: Fever, headache, cough, poor appetite Prevention: Deworm pets Good sanitation

Tapeworm Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms/Complications: Internal worm that lives in the small intestine and can range from several inches to several feet How is it contracted? Ingesting fleas or infected feces, animals or meat Symptoms/Complications: May cause AHD (Alveolar Hydatid Disease) – can be fatal or produce parasitic tumors/cysts in the liver White segments of worm moving on anus/rectal area of animal or on their feces Anal itching Prevention: Flea prevention Avoid feeding uncooked meat, raw game or dead animals

Red Mites Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms: Prevention: Mite that crawls around feathers at night Mostly affect the head and vent areas After feeding, the mites will crawl from bird to cracks in cage, perches and nest areas How is it contracted? Climb up cages From humans/other pets Symptoms: Bird will be restless and itchy Anemia Excessive preening Prevention: Cleanliness Dust ends of perches/nest boxes when cleaning Sprinkle a preventative “Red Mite Powder” around cage and directly on bird

Feather Mites Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms: Prevention: Small, gray mites that collect in small groupings on the feathers of birds during the day and night How is it contracted? Picked up from environment (usually outdoors) Symptoms: Restlessness Excessive preening Ruffling of feathers Skin irritation Feather damage Anemia Prevention: Regular sanitizing of equipment with nicotine sulfate, Malathion or coumaphos Allow birds to bathe daily & spray with mite spray

Scaly Leg Mites Description: Mites that tunnel under the scales on the legs (& face) of budgerigars, lovebirds, and canaries. Live their entire life cycle on the bird. How is it contracted? Infested equipment, housing or other birds Symptoms: White, scaly, thickened deposits on the legs the become enlarges and encrusted Prevention: Cleanliness Apply Vaseline to bird’s legs and equipment to prevent mite’s from climbing, to suffocate any living mites and loosen deposits

Diseases

Parrot Fever Description: What causes it? Symptoms: Prevention: Also known as “chlamydiosis” or “psittacosis” Zoonotic bacterial disease the affects the liver and spleen What causes it? Contact with contaminated feces, food or water Symptoms: Nasal discharge Listlessness Appetite loss Weight loss Green-colored diarrhea Labored breathing Prevention: Cleanliness Treat bird with chlortetracycline- impregnated seed for at least 21 days if infection is suspected

Bumble Foot Description: What causes it? Symptoms: Prevention: A painful ailment associated with staphylococcal infections What causes it? Staphylococcal bacteria Symptoms: feet and joints become hot and swollen with a thick, grayish white fluid Not walking or clasping onto perch Prevention: Suitable perches and sanitation

Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease Description: Also known as “French Molt” Viral disease that attacks the immune system No cure How is it contracted? Direct contact with virus Symptoms: Become evident at the first molt New feathers do not emerge or are deformed and break off Beak and nails may be soft, overgrown, and lose their pigment Prevention: Vitamins, minerals, and control of secondary diseases through sanitation

Newcastle Disease Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms: Viral disease that has high mortality rates and spreads rapidly How is it contracted? Contact with imported birds Symptoms: Respiratory difficulty (wheezing) is one of the first symptoms, followed by tremors, wing droop, and a twisted neck. Prevention: Vaccine

Goiter Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms/Complications: Swelling of the thyroid glands in the neck, leading to interference with breathing Especially prevalent in budgerigars How is it contracted? Iodine-deficient seed diet Symptoms/Complications: Wheezing Seizures and sudden death Difficulty swallowing Regurgitation Weight loss Lack of appetite A change in song or voice Prevention: Adding iodine to water

Rickets Description: Also known as “osteomalacia” An imbalance or deficient amount of calcium, phosphorus, or Vitamin D3 that causes deterioration or softening of the bones How is it contracted? Nutrient deficiency Symptoms/Complications: Lameness, stiff-legged gait, or a constant resting in the squatting position, and decreased growth Prevention: Adequate oyster shell or course limestone in the diet along with vitamin D3 supplementation

Obesity Description: How is it contracted? Symptoms/Complications: Most common nutritional problem in birds Bird is overweight/heavier than recommended weight How is it contracted? Too much food, not enough activity or seeds high in fat. Symptoms/Complications: Reluctance to move Trouble breathing Fat covering or “roundness” to body Prevention: Owners should feed proper ration and avoid feeding sunflower seeds or seeds high in fat