All about Birds Flashcards
(43 cards)
What is the first general symptom of disease in a bird?
Fluffed feathers–may indicate the bird is trying to retain body heat and is chilled.
What is the second general symptom of disease in a bird?
Lack of activity–failure to fly may indicate a problem & continually partially or fully closed eyes.
What is the 3rd general symptom of disease in a bird?
Lack of appetite or failure to eat.
What is the 4th general symptom of disease in a bird?
Irregular or difficulty breathing, dyspnea, coughing, & sneezing.
What is the 5th general symptom of disease in a bird?
Runny or unusual droppings may indicate a digestive problem.
What is the 6th general symptom of disease in a bird?
Discharge from the eyes, nostrils, or mouth may indicate respiratory or other problems.
When are disease transmitted in pet birds?
- When birds are first taken home–pet birds do not come into contact with other birds once at a home, so transmission is uncommon.
- Bird owner is likely to bring a disease home to the bird.
- Introduction of new pet bird that has not undergone quarantine and observation (not less than 2 weeks).
- Outdoor housing and interaction with wild or feral birds.
What are the 8 causes of disease in birds?
- Viral diseases
- Bacterial diseases
- Fungal diseases
- Protozoal diseases
- Parasitic diseases
- Nutritional diseases
- Metabolic diseases
- Toxic agents
What are the 4 viral diseases?
- Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease virus (PBFD)
- Pacheco’s Parrot Disease
- Newcastle disease (avian distemper)
- Poxvirus
What is the cause of PBFD? What kind of parrots is it most commonly found in? What is it?
It is caused by the psittacine circovirus. It is a contagious and fatal viral disease that affects the beak, feathers, & immune system of over 40 different species. It is most common in young birds, usually less than 2 years old.
What are the clinical signs of PBFD?
Acute form: depressed, no appetite, fluffed feathers, etc… (general signs of illness). Depressed immunity, secondary infections: enteritis, diarrhea, regurgitation of food, pneumonia or dyspnea, & death within few days without any display of feather or beak problems.
Chronic form: signs usually appear at the first mold (usually 3-5 months old). New feathers may not emerge, may be deformed & break off easily or bloody (permanent destruction of feather follicles). Beak & nails may be soft or brittle, easily break & overgrown. Death in months to years.
What is the treatment for PBFD?
No effective treatment, just treating secondary infections. Recovery is rare, & if able, the bird’s feather, beak, or nails are permanently affected & therefore, euthanasia is recommended.
What is the prevention measures taken for PBFD?
Isolating the infected birds & Euthanizing any infected birds.
- Trial vaccine
- PCR testing of both birds and the environment.
What is Pacheco’s Parrot disease? Which birds do they primarily infect?
A Herpes virus–All birds are susceptible, but primarily infects Parrots, Cockatoos, Conures, & Macaws.
What are the clinical signs for Pacheco’s disease?
Most common symptom is sudden death, with diagnosis confirmation with necropsy. Infection can last from 2-7 days & symptoms can include: Green diarrhea (indicative of liver damage)
- regurgitation
- respiratory signs
- swelling and redness of eyes
- nervous signs such as tremor, imbalance, or seizures with a rapid progression to death within 48 hours.
What does the necropsy reveal in Pacheco’s disease?
- enlarged kidneys, liver, & spleen
- circumscribed areas of necrosis & hemorrhage on the liver
- skin, spleen, intestines, pancreas, & body cavity may also show signs of hemorrhage
What are methods of treatment for Pacheco’s disease?
- It is considered untreatable. Keep the bird warm, plenty of fluids, and antibiotics necessary for secondary infections.
Which birds are the most common carriers for Pacheco’s disease?
Any bird that recovers from Pacheco’s disease can become a carrier & may serve as a source of infection for other species of psittacine. Conures are the most common Carriers.
What is Newcastle disease (avian distemper)? What are the strains?
Highly contagious, with worldwide distribution, it is caused by the virus Paramyxovirus, and it affects the respiratory, digestive, & nervous systems.
The strains are:
1. Avirulent
2. Lentogenic
3. Mesogenic
4. Velogenic Neurotropic
5. Velogenic Viscerotropic
What are the clinical signs according to each virus strain?
Avirulent strains: totally asymptomatic.
Lentogenic: mild digestive & respiratory signs.
Mesogenic: severe digestive, respiratory signs.
Velogenic Neurotropic: neurological signs.
Velogenic Viscerotropic: sudden death, highly pathogenic, called “Exotic Newcastle”
What are the respiratory, digestive, and nervous signs of Newcastle disease? What are the clinical signs of Velogenic Viscerotropic?
Respiratory signs: nasal secretions, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing.
Digestive signs: watery diarrhea, sometimes bloody, regurgitation.
Nervous signs: twisting of the neck, wing droop, leg paralysis, usually ends by death (Velogenic Neurotropic)
Velogenic Viscerotropic: sudden death, highly pathogenic, “Exotic Newcastle”
- affects all species of birds & some mammals
- attacks the internal organs (viscerotropic) causing extensive hemorrhage, especially of the digestive tract, prostration and death.
What is the mortality of Newcastle disease? What are the treatment and prevention measures?
Mortality: 70-100%
No treatment or cure, but there is a vaccine.
What is poxvirus?
Caused by Poxviruses (large DNA viruses). Transmission is primarily via insect vectors (mosquito bites).
What are the 3 clinical forms of poxvirus infection?
Cutaneous form “dry pox:” wart-like lesions typically on the face, beak, legs & cere
Diphtheritic form or “wet pox:” lesions on the mucosa of the oral cavity & respiratory tract
Septicemic “generalized pox:” internal lesions affecting the respiratory & GI tracts, causing systemic disease.
