Content
- What is Chlamydiosis in Parrots?
- Chlamydiosis in parrots: transmission
- Chlamydiosis in parrots: symptoms
- Chlamydiosis in psittacosis: diagnosis
- How to Treat Chlamydiosis in Parrots
- Chlamydiosis in parrot passes to human?
Parrots are exotic birds, but they are increasingly taking on the role of pets. Due to their numerous attributes that make them exceptional pets, such as their friendliness, intelligence and their need for company.
As parrots are currently adopted as pets, they have aroused great interest in their health, because we know that, regardless of the nature of our animal friend, it requires care to ensure good health and an exceptional quality of life.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we talk about Çlamidiosis in parrots - Symptoms and Treatment, a disease that spreads rapidly and can be transmitted to humans.
What is Chlamydiosis in Parrots?
Chlamydiosis, also known as psittacosis, ornithosis or parrot fever is a disease usually caused by the bacteria Chlamydiophila Psitacci. It especially affects parrots and parakeets in Australia, although it can also affect other birds and, as a zoonosis, it can be transmitted to humans through infected animals.
This disease deserves special attention as it is highly contagious, spreads very quickly and works by decreasing the animal's defenses, which results in other infections that mask the symptoms of chlamydiosis.
Chlamydiosis in parrots: transmission
The main route of transmission of chladiosis or psittacosis occurs through inhalation of dust from feces or feathers from infected birds, although direct contagion through the eyes and respiratory secretions of the sick animal or through contact with infected surfaces is also possible.
Stress is a key factor for chladiosis in birds to develop, as sometimes birds carry this bacteria and are in good health (although they can spread the infection), they do not manifest the disease unless suffer from a stress condition.
See too: Chlamydiosis in cockatiel - treatment, symptoms and diagnosis
Chlamydiosis in parrots: symptoms
The symptoms of chlamydiosis or ornithosis 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 due, in part, to the fact that chladiosis lowers the animal's defenses, causing a greater susceptibility to the spread of other multiple diseases.
Sometimes chladiosis in birds 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;
- Eye secretions;
- nasal secretions;
- Sneezing;
- Yellow-green diarrhea;
- Discouragement;
- Weight loss.
In the presence of these signs, it is of great importance go urgently to the veterinarian so he can establish a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
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Chlamydiosis in psittacosis: diagnosis
The diagnosis of chlamydiosis or psittacosis can be complex, since in the specific case of this bacterium, the laboratory tests that can be used are not 100% reliable.
To diagnose chladiosis in parrots, the veterinarian will perform an exhaustive physical exam, considering the pet's medical history. At the level of laboratory measurements, we can find two tests:
- Antigen detection: consists of detecting the presence of bacteria through animal excrement or nasal and eye secretions;
- Antibody detection: consists of detecting in the blood, the antibodies that the defense system generated specifically against this bacteria.
How to Treat Chlamydiosis in Parrots
The treatment of chlamydiosis, also known as ornithosis, in parrots, as well as its effectiveness and the prognosis of the disease, may vary depending on general health status. of the bird, its age and the presence of secondary infections. It will always be necessary to isolate the animal and administer antibiotics for a minimum period of 45 days. The routes of administration can be as follows:
- Oral administration;
- Injectable administration;
- Administration through food.
Once the treatment period is over, the veterinarian may suggest the conducting new laboratory tests to verify the effectiveness of the treatment, in addition to recommending that birds that have been in contact with the infected parrot also undergo pharmacological treatment.
Chlamydiosis in parrot passes to human?
The contagion of chlamydiosis from a bird to a person is rare and does not cause seriousness, manifesting symptoms in the affected person, similar to a flu or cold, however, can have fatal consequences for children, elderly, pregnant and immunocompromised.
To prevent the parrot from suffering chladiosis and from infecting a person, it is very useful to follow the following advice:
- The cage must be kept in excellent hygienic conditions;
- Don't stay in an enclosed space where there are birds;
- Birds must not be adopted without the corresponding health certificate;
- If your parrot has chlamydiosis it is important to take hygiene precautions, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after each handling.
The contagion of chladiosis between birds and humans can be avoided if we take simple hygienic measurestherefore it is important to consider the recommendations described above.
Also know: Domestic birds: 6 best species to have at home
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.