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Exotic Pets
Select Diseases of Birds and Reptiles
Chlamydia: An obligate intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia psittaci, causes the disease known a psittacosis in parrots and ornithosis in other animals and man. This species has five serovars (types) and many strains of differing virulence, and can be highly contagious. Symptoms can include greenish diarrhea, weight loss, conjunctivitis, rough plumage, tremors or sinus infection. Some birds will show no symptoms, yet can still carry and spread the infection. The infection can be treated with certain antibiotics.
Giardia: An intestinal parasite commonly found in budgerigars, cockatiels, lovebirds and Grey-cheeked Parakeets, and occasionally in other birds. Symptoms include feather picking, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss and poor growth. Some birds will not show symptoms. The infection can be treated with specific medications.
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD): A viral disease caused by a Circovirus, it causes progressive feather malformation and feather loss, often with beak deformities. This virus also destroys the immune system. The disease is usually fatal in 6-12 months after symptoms appear, but some birds have survived for years. Many species are affected, and some appear to carry the disease with no outward symptoms. No cure is available.
Polyomavirus: A viral disease caused by a Papovavirus, it causes persistent infections in many species of birds. Budgerigar fledgling disease is caused by polyomavirus. Symptoms are usually in young birds, with bruising, diarrhea, weight loss, regurgitation, and death seen around weaning time. There is no treatment for the disease, but a vaccine is now available.
Pacheco's Disease: A Herpesvirus causes this viral infection. Birds may carry the disease without symptoms, then become affected at times of stress. Symptoms include lethargy, ruffled feathers, diarrhea with yellowish green feces, excessive drinking and watery feces. An antiviral medication may help affected birds, and a vaccine is available.
Metabolic Bone Disease: A common disease of many species, birds, reptiles, small mammals and amphibians. It is not caused by an infectious agent, but by lack of proper calcium metabolism. There are several causes, but the most common is low calcium or phosphorous in the diet and lack of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Symptoms can include weakness, even paralysis and muscle tremors, easily broken bones, thickened limbs, malformed and weak "rubbery" bones, especially facial bones, and death. Treatment includes supplements, injections of calcium and the hormone calcitonin, and improving the diet and husbandry of the pet.
Salmonella: The salmonella bacteria Salmonella enteridis consist of over 2000 serotypes, which can infect many species of animals and humans. Most reptiles can carry this bacteria without any ill effects, and pass it to other reptiles, or to humans. Although antibiotics can be used to treat this disease, they cannot effectively remove the bacteria forever, and reptiles can shed the bacteria again after treatment. Your best defense against salmonella is cleanliness and sanitation. Keep your pet's enclosure clean and disinfect dishes, hiding areas and the walls of the enclosure frequently. Wash your hands always after handling your pet, and keep reptiles away from food preparation areas. Children and immunosuppressed individuals are most susceptible to infection.
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