by Yudha Aditya

Created on: January 19, 2010

Parrot fever is one fatal disease that may affect your lovely parrot. Not only the bird, but also the owner may have chances to be infected. Having high mortality rate in human, about 20%, parrot fever has become a serious disease that needs treatments immediately.

Caused by an organism known as Chlamydia psittaci, a bacterium which is an obligate intracellular parasite, Parrot fever actually is a disease named Chlamydiosis in general. It is also well known as Psittacosis if the bacterium infects psittacines (parrots, cockatoos, etc) or Ornithosis if it infects other types of birds. But the term “Psittacosis” has been more popular, so if human and other mammals are infected by C.psittaci, the term “Psittacosis” is used.

Birds, including parrots, are capable of hiding any symptoms of illness especially Psittacosis. It makes the owner not being aware of the infection. Many birds with psittacosis appear as healthy ones and may become carriers for years. A carrier usually shows no symptoms now, but later it will. This infected bird can shed the bacterium from its feces and nasal discharge, and the bacterium may last for several months.

To be sure that your parrot is free from psittacosis, it is always better to take your parrot to veterinary for regular examination. If you don’t, be aware of the symptoms and get examination immediately if one of these symptoms appears:

* Fluffed appearance

* Poor appetite

* Weight loss

* Respiratory disease (like rapid breathing and gasping)

* Lime green droppings

* Eye discharge

* Nose discharge (like sneezing)

If symptoms mentioned appear and you know exactly your parrot has been infected, immediate treatments are necessary. Isolate it, and thoroughly disinfect all belongings of your bird. Reduce stress in the bird’s environment since it can stimulate shedding. Tetracycline is an antibiotic used for main medication, since psittacosis is very responsive to it. Several different methods to deliver the medication into the bird’s system can be used, like medicated feed which is commonly used for tetracycline. Medicated foods can be purchased, or be made by adding tetracycline to bird’s food. The medicated foods must contain 1% of Chlortetracycline with calcium under 7% since it may interfere with the tetracycline. Other methods like oral medication and injection also can be used for Doxycycline (other choice of drug). But injection may cause irritation to your parrot, so this method is best used only by a veterinarian.

Human as the owner also has to be careful since psittacosis may infect human too. Symptoms like fever, chills, headache, muscle and chest pain, inflammation of heart, weakness or fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and abnormal intolerance of light, may become signs that you are having psittacosis. 4 to 15 days after exposure, the symptoms generally appear. Go and see your doctor or physician if it happens.

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