Parrots have ceased to be exotic birds to become more and more frequently pets, as they have numerous attributes that make them exceptional pets, such as their need for company, their friendliness and their intelligence.
The fact that parrots are currently used as pets has aroused great interest in their he alth, as we know that regardless of the nature of our pet, it requires care that guarantees your he alth and quality of life.
In this article on our site we talk about the symptoms and treatment of psittacosis in parrots, a disease of great importance since it spreads quickly and can be transmitted to humans.
What is psittacosis?
Psittacosis is a disease usually caused by the bacterium Chlamydiophila Psitacci and is also called ornithosis, chlamydiosis or parrot fever. It especially affects parrots and budgerigars, although it can also affect other birds and, as it is a zoonosis, it can be transmitted to humans through infected animals.
This disease deserves special attention because it is highly contagious, spreads very quickly and also acts by lowering the animal's defenses, which which gives rise to the possibility of other infections that mask the symptoms of psittacosis.
How is psittacosis transmitted in parrots?
The main route of transmission of psittacosis is through inhalation of the dust that comes from the droppings or feathers of infected birds, although direct contagion through the eye and respiratory secretions of the sick animal or through contact with infected surfaces is also possible.
Stress is a fundamental factor for the development of psittacosis, since sometimes the birds that carry this bacterium are in good he alth (although they can spread the infection) and do not manifest the disease unless they suffer from a stress picture.
Symptoms of psittacosis in parrots
The symptoms of psittacosis in parrots are not specific to this disease, that is, they do not correspond only to this disease but may belong to the clinical picture of multiple pathologies. This is partly due to the fact that psittacosis decreases the animal's defenses leading to greater susceptibility to the spread of multiple other diseases.
Sometimes psittacosis can cause the sudden death of our pet, so it is important to recognize the symptoms that may be indicative of this disease:
- Sinusitis
- Swelling around the eyes
- Conjunctivitis
- Ocular secretions
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Yellow-green diarrhea
- Dejection
- Weightloss
In the presence of these signs it is of great importance go urgently to the veterinarian so that he or she can establish a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis of psittacosis
The diagnosis of psittacosis can be complex since the laboratory tests that can be used are not 100% reliable in the specific case of this bacterium.
To diagnose psittacosis in parrots, the veterinarian will carry out an exhaustive physical examination and will take into account the medical history of our pet, at the of laboratory measurements you can use two tests:
Antigen detection: It consists of detecting the presence of the bacteria through the animal's excrement or nasal and ocular secretions
Antibody detection: It consists of detecting in the blood the antibodies that the defense system has generated specifically against this bacterium
Treatment of psittacosis in parrots
The treatment of psittacosis in parrots, as well as its effectiveness and the prognosis of the disease, may vary depending on the state of he alth of the bird, its age and the presence of secondary infections. It will always be necessary to isolate the animal and proceed to administer antibiotic drugs for a minimum period of 45 days, the routes of administration may be the following:
- Oral administration
- Injectable administration
- Administration through feed
Once the treatment period is over, the veterinarian may suggest perform measurements again in the laboratory to verify the effectiveness of the treatment, also, you can recommend that birds that have been in contact with the infected parrot also undergo pharmacological treatment.
Contagion of psittacosis in humans
The contagion of psittacosis from a bird to a person is rare and not serious, the affected person manifesting symptoms similar to a cold or flu, however, yes it can have fatal consequences for children, the elderly, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people.
To prevent our parrot from suffering from psittacosis and from infecting a person, it is very useful to follow the following advice:
- The cage must be kept in optimal hygienic conditions
- Do not stay in a closed space where there are birds
- Birds should not be adopted without their corresponding he alth certificate
- If our parrot has psittacosis it is important to take hygienic precautions, wear gloves and wash your hands well after each handling
The spread of psittacosis in birds and humans can be avoided if we take some simple hygienic measures, so it is important to take into account recommendations set forth above.
