CHLAMYDIOSIS/PSITTACOSIS
1. What is Chlamydiosis?
Chlamydiosis is a disease caused by an intracellular parasite called chlamydia psittaci.
2. Where are chlamydia usually found in birds?
If inhaled it is usually found in the lungs and air sacs or if ingested in the liver, spleen and intestines and kidney
3. Does chlamydia affect humans?
Yes.
The common signs are flu-like with a high fever, severe headaches and a dry cough.
If untreated it can develop into atypical pneumonia and meningitis.
Even birds without clinical signs can pass chlamydia to humans.
4. What is the route of transmission?
The micro-organism is found in feather dust and dried up faeces and is dispersed by air circulation. It will survives for up to several months in the environment. Chlamydia is regularly or intermittently shed in the faeces, urine, nasal and ocular discharges. Many birds with no clinical signs can be shedding chlamydia.
5. What are the clinical signs of acute Chlamydiosis?
6. What are the clinical signs of low grade or protracted Chlamydiosis?
7. Is Chlamydiosis fatal?
In untreated birds acute Chlamydiosis is often fatal.
If the bird is severely affected it may die despite treatment.
8. In which bird species is Chlamydiosis seen?
It is seen in all species of birds. It is very common in most parrot species and in pigeons.
9. Do all birds with chlamydia have clinical signs?
No. Many birds are asymptomatic carriers. They will often only show clinical signs if stressed (new surroundings, moulting or breeding).
10. How is Chlamydiosis identified in the live bird?
It is hard to conclusively identify. Helpful hints are the clinical signs, antigen tests (such as the Clearview Chlamydia test) and cytology of the conjunctiva and blood cells.
11. Can my local laboratory identify Chlamydiosis?
Laboratories can do cytology or a culture on the liver, spleen, airsacs, lungs and kidney.
12. What is the treatment for Chlamydiosis?
Doxycycline is the preferred treatment for Chlamydiosis. The treatment is for 45 days.
The medication is available as an in water medication or by weekly injections.
13. What additional treatment procedures may be needed?
The cage should be cleaned thoroughly daily and then disinfected with tertiary amines. Quarantine all new birds until treated for chlamydia.
High energy soft-liquid food supplements for emaciated birds.
Fluids intravenously or subcutaneously may be needed in cases of severe vomiting.
A heat source eg. a 40 watt light globe.
Treatment of the often present secondary infections.
14. What preventative measures are needed?
At a birds yearly health check it should be examined for any signs of chlamydia and then preferably tested or treated for chlamydia.
All new birds should be tested/treated for chlamydia.
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