How Is Psittacosis Treated?

1 Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention of Psittacosis

Symptoms of Psittacosis

After a bird contracts psittacosis, it usually develops respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. First, the infected parrot produces large amounts of sticky, pus-like discharge from its eyes and nostrils, often accompanied by swollen, red eyes.

Next, the sick bird develops watery diarrhea, and its droppings may turn abnormal colors such as green, gray, or black, easily sticking to its feathers.

Finally, the infected parrot becomes listless and loses its appetite, with overall weakness, fluffed-up feathers, feather loss, and shivering.

How Is Psittacosis Treated?

When a bird contracts psittacosis, the carcasses of birds that die from the disease must be disposed of promptly, and their bodies and droppings buried or incinerated to prevent the pathogen from spreading to other birds.

Next, the sick bird should be taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. Antibiotics such as 0.05% tetracycline are typically given by intramuscular, crop, or intravenous injection to clear the infection and inflammation and relieve the symptoms.

Because birds are small, medication dosages must be carefully controlled, and home treatment is not recommended. Also, chlamydia infections usually require a long course of treatment, often one to one and a half months or more, so owners must keep medicating the bird consistently.

Prevention

1. Before introducing a new bird, find out whether chlamydia infection is present locally. If possible, have the bird given a serum test, and keep it in isolation and observation for two weeks before allowing contact with other birds.

2. If a bird is found infected with psittacosis, the affected bird should be euthanized without delay, and its cage and surroundings cleaned and disinfected thoroughly.

3. Psittacosis spreads not only among birds but also to poultry such as ducks and turkeys, and people in close contact with birds can become infected too. Owners should protect themselves: wear a mask and gloves when feeding birds and cleaning cages.

These are the key points about the symptoms and treatment of psittacosis. Understanding the disease and taking early preventive steps will help keep your birds healthy.