RESPIRATORY DISEASE
General information
Respiratory diseases are among the most common problems seen in all species
of pet birds. Because they can have a variety of causes, early diagnosis by
your veterinary surgeon and proper treatment is necessary to prevent severe
illness.
What are some of the causes of respiratory disease in pet birds?
Respiratory problems can be caused by many factors. Feeding an all seed diet
is a common problem among many birds with respiratory problems. Because seeds
contain very little vitamin A, and because vitamin A is needed for the normal
develop of epithelium, vitamin A deficiency results in abnormal epithelium,
such as that lining the respiratory tract, which is easily infected by microorganisms.
Many microorganisms, most commonly bacteria, can infect the respiratory system
of birds. However, viruses, fungi, parasites, tumors, mycoplasma, and commonly
chlamydia (which causes chlamydiosis in birds) can result in respiratory infections.
Sometimes organ failure will result in respiratory signs (difficulty breathing)
while not actually causing an infection itself.
Are certain causes more common in particular species?
Yes, and this is one of the many reasons that it is important to go to a veterinary
surgeon knowledgeable in pet bird medicine. For example, budgerigars and cockatiels
often have mycoplasma or chlamydia causing their respiratory infections, whereas
Amazon parrots may have gram negative bacterial problems, African Gray parrots
may be infected with Aspergillosis, and finches and canaries may have air sac
mites!
Is it true that drafts can cause my bird to catch a cold?
No, that is just a myth. While it is not healthy for a bird to receive constant
direct air flow as he would if placed directly beneath an air vent, respiratory
disease won't develop just because of a draft.
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What are some of the signs of respiratory disease in birds?
Birds can show a variety of clinical signs. For example, some birds with
infections of the trachea or lungs and air sacs may show nothing more
than a voice change. Some birds with respiratory disease will have watery
eyes; still others will sneeze, wheeze, cough, and have a nasal discharge.
Yet other birds will just appear ruffled, fail to perch, and keep their
eyes closed. A bird with increased respiratory effort will have a tail
bob with each breath.
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With all the various causes of respiratory disease, how will my vet accurately
diagnose my bird's problem?
The history you provide is very important, as is a thorough physical examination.
Otherwise, your veterinary surgeon has many laboratory tests at his or her disposal.
Commonly, special tests to detect bacteria called gram stains are performed
on a swab of the bird's throat, cloaca and even the bird's droppings. A sinus
aspirate or flush may also be performed. Sometimes the vet may choose to culture
the bird's respiratory discharges to look for specific bacteria and yeast. A
radiograph (X-ray) of the bird's lungs and air sacs can often reveal diagnostic
information. Also since chlamydiosis is often incriminated in respiratory disease
in birds, your vet may choose to perform a blood count and test for that infection
as well.
Is it possible for me to treat my bird at home with medications sold at
the pet store?
Absolutely not! First, how can the pet shop assistant who is not a vet and
has no veterinary training correctly diagnose the cause of your bird's problem
without even seeing your pet; the vet can't even do that. Second, most of the
antibiotics sold at the pet shop are ineffective against most of the causes
of respiratory disease in birds. If the cause of the respiratory infection is
not bacterial in origin, no antibiotic will be effective. To avoid delaying
proper diagnosis and treatment of your bird, you should schedule an appointment
at the first signs of respiratory problems.
How is respiratory disease treated in birds?
Once the correct diagnosis is made, your veterinary surgeon may suggest a course
of antibiotics if the problem is a bacterial infection. Antifungal drugs are
used in cases of fungal disease like aspergillosis, and parasites are most commonly
treated with oral or injectable antiparasitic drugs. Improper diets are slowly
corrected and vitamin supplementation is used if vitamin A deficiency is suspected.
Seriously ill birds are hospitalized so that injectable and aerosol medications
can be employed, and force feeding and IV fluids can be administered if needed.
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