Use our Animal Care Library for quick, easy access to our most common animal care problems. Use our Animal Care Library for quick, easy access to our most common animal care problems. Use our Animal Care Library for quick, easy access to our most common animal care problems.
Also known as ‘parrot fever’, Chlamydiosis is a disease caused by a micro-organism called Chlamydia Psittaci. If inhaled, it is usually found in the lungs and air sacs. If ingested, it is usually found in the liver, spleen, intestines and kidneys.
The micro-organism is found in feather dust and dried faeces and is dispersed by air circulation. It will survive for several months in the environment. Chlamydia is regularly or intermittently shed in the faeces, urine and nasal and ocular discharges. Many birds with no clinical signs can be shedding Chlamydia.
This disease has many non-specific signs. The signs most often seen with acute Chlamydiosis are:
The clinical signs of low grade or chronic Chlamydiosis are:
In untreated birds acute Chlamydiosis is often fatal. If the bird is severely affected it may die despite treatment. It is seen in all species of birds. It is very common in most parrot species and in pigeons. Many birds are asymptomatic carriers (the patient is a carrier for a disease or infection but experiences no symptoms). They will often only show clinical signs if stressed (e.g. new surroundings, moulting or breeding).
Chlamydia is hard to conclusively identify in the live bird. Helpful hints are the clinical signs, antigen tests (such as the Clearview Chlamydia test), cytology and blood tests. In aviary outbreaks, laboratories can do cytology or a culture on the liver, spleen, air sacs, lungs and kidneys of specimens from dead birds. These include:
At a bird’s yearly health check, it should be examined for any signs of Chlamydia and then preferably tested or treated if suspect. All new birds should be tested/treated for Chlamydia.
The chlamydial organism is capable of being transmitted from birds to humans, but this rarely occurs despite the relatively high incidence of infection in birds. Although psittacosis infection in humans is normally mild, it is potentially dangerous for persons who are sick, elderly or immuno-suppressed (e.g. AIDS patients). Persistent ‘flu-like’ symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, weakness, fatigue and respiratory signs may be experienced. Because the condition in humans may be misdiagnosed, anyone who is exposed to pet birds and who develops a prolonged case of the flu should seek the advice of a doctor.
Caring for your new kitten, cat fight abcesses, constipation, arthritis in cats and more... Learn more...
Sarcoids, strategic worming, winter check list for old horses, hoof abcesses and more... Learn more...
Vet Cross Bundaberg Hospital
2 Inglis Court
Svensson Heights 4670
(07) 4151 5044
info@vetcross.com.au
Mon-Fri: 8am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm
Available for emergencies 24/7
Vet Cross Gin Gin
48 Mulgrave Street
Gin Gin 4671
(07) 4157 3991
gingin@vetcross.com.au
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 12pm (nurse only)
Vet Cross Bargara
Bargara Central Shopping Centre,
Shop 19/699 Bargara Rd
Bargara 4670
(07) 4130 5003
bargara@vetcross.com.au
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat: 9am - 12pm (nurse only)
Vet Cross Pet Store
Shop 2/2 Inglis Court
Svensson Heights 4670
(07) 4152 5939
petstore@vetcross.com.au
Mon-Fri: 8am - 5:30pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm