Plucking frenzy

Invaluable suggestions on treating your bird's feather plucking.

1. Take the bird to your veterinarian as soon as it starts plucking, because the underlying cause of the problem needs to be treated with specific indicated drugs. Feather picking may become habitual and continue even when the precipitating cause is no longer present. Damage to follicles also can lead to permanently bald areas. Follow-up with regular veterinary check-ups.
2. Correct any nutritional deficiencies immediately by converting the bird to a formulated diet, supplemented with fruit and vegetables. If he's already on a pelleted diet, rather use an organic food with no artificial colourants, preservatives or pesticides and toxins. Eliminate oil, salt and sugar from the diet.
3. Avoid seeds and peanuts altogether. It may be contaminated with fungal spores and toxins that can damage the liver and airways and lead to feather plucking.
4. De-worm the bird.
5. Ask your vet to give him a multi-vitamin injection and use a safe insecticidal spray to kill any possible external parasites.
6. Spray the bird with a safe herbal spray such as aloe and water to lessen itching and burning. However, the bitter aloe products won't stop the bird from plucking.
7. Make sure that the bird is exposed to natural sunlight regularly.
8. Bath the bird every day.
9. Cut the wings correctly.
10. Remove the bird from exposure to aerosolised toxins such as smoking and kitchen fumes that can accumulate on the feathers and skin, causing irritation. Also remember to wash your hands before touching the bird.
11. Ensure that the bird enjoys at least 10 hours of undisturbed sleep every night.
12. Correct possible causes of behavioural over-grooming. In the first instance, the cage should be large enough and secondly, the bird should have enough destructible and indestructible toys.
13. Move the cage to a protective spot with both an outside and family activity views. Avoid high traffic areas.
14. To keep the bird busy during the day, make food skewers and provide interesting destructible toys. Willow and fruit tree branches are great for peeling off bark. Be creative with rope, twine and straw toys that are easily accessible. Stimulate the bird's curiosity by rewarding him with attention as soon as he shows interest in one of his toys. Patience will be at the order of the day, because it may take weeks or months for the bird to learn how to play again. If he doesn't have a daily 'job', he'll start plucking his feathers again.
15. Increase out of cage times to at least four hours a day. The bird needs an interesting play stand where he can make decisions and choices. Also up bird/human interaction time to 45 minutes a day. Side-to-side interaction is good too. The bird must learn that you're not his toy and that he should play independently. Use this interaction for training - not just cuddling. A daily training programme should teach your bird the basics of being a confident, well-adjusted pet. Don't leave him in charge of his own life, because he doesn't know how to behave in our world. Give clear commands and also teach him to step up on a stick.
16. Provide other exercise opportunities such as wing flapping, climbing, running, etc.
17. Don't force interaction with people whom he dislikes.
18. Avoid arguments, shouting, loud voices and household commotion.
19. Don't allow children and pets near the bird unsupervised. The bird's cage should be higher than a child's reach.
20. Under no circumstances should you give your bird any attention when he plucks his feathers - not even with looks or by addressing him. Pretend that you don't see it and leave immediately.
21. Remove all possible sources of heavy metals such as zinc, mercury and lead. Don't allow the bird to chew on any painted or metal objects. Stainless steel is safe. In addition, your bird shouldn't chew on any plant unless you're 100% sure that it's safe.
22. Keep a record of exactly when the bird plucks his feathers, so that the behaviour can be interrupted and avoided before it happens.

Aspergillosis

Caused by the Aspergillus fungus found almost everywhere in the environment, aspergillosis is a respiratory disease of birds. Growing in warm and moist environments, the microscopic fungus spores become airborne and close confinement, dusty conditions, as well as poor ventilation and sanitation increase the chance of inhaling the spores.

Usually, the fungus doesn't cause disease; but if a bird doesn't have a healthy immune system, it can cause illness. Predisposing factors include other illnesses, stress, poor nutrition, unsanitary conditions, another injury to the respiratory system (eg smoke inhalation), and prolonged use of medications such as antibiotics or corticosteroids.

Aspergillosis appears to be more common in parrots and mynahs than other pet birds. Birds with acute aspergillosis have severe difficulty breathing, decreased or loss of appetite, frequent drinking and urination, a bluish colouration of mucous membranes and/or skin and even sudden death. The fungus generally affects the trachea, voice box and air sacs. The lungs may also be involved.

Chronic aspergillosis is much more common and deadly due to its insidious nature. It can be difficult to diagnose. The bird may not become symptomatic until the disease has progressed too far for a cure. The respiratory system is the primary infection location. Weight loss will be the first symptom to occur followed by respiratory symptoms. Difficulty breathing, and/or exercise intolerance are common. If the voice box is involved, a change in voice or reluctance to talk may occur.

Your vet will need a detailed history of the course of the illness and an accurate description of the bird's diet and husbandry. X-rays, a complete blood count and a chemistry panel may help support a diagnosis. Endoscopy is often needed to visualise the aspergillosis granulosis.

Surgery may be performed to remove accessible lesions. Antifungal drugs may be administered orally, topically, by injection, or nebulising, depending on the drug. Therapy needs to continue for weeks to months and more than one antifungal drug may be used. Supportive care such as oxygen, supplemental heat, tube feeding and treating underlying conditions often are needed. Unfortunately, the prognosis is always guarded.

Good husbandry to prevent aspergillosis outbreaks is imperative. Keep your bird in a well-ventilated environment. Clean food and water dishes every day. Replace cage lining regularly. Thoroughly clean cages, toys, perches, etc, at least once a month. A balanced diet is needed to maintain good cellular resistance to the fungus. Seed-only diets contain very low levels of Vitamin A essential for cell health.

Source: Veterinary & Aquatic Services Dept, US

Psittacosis

Caused by an organism with characteristics of both bacteria and viruses Chlamydophila psittaci, psittacosis is better known as avian chlamydiosis. It's sometimes called parrot fever. C. psittaci can infect other mammals as well.

Signs of psittacosis can include any of the following: discharge from the eyes or nares, difficulty breathing, diarrhoea, lethargy, decreased appetite, weight loss, weakness and depression. Although the disease could be fatal, some birds can be C. psittaci carriers without showing any signs. Carriers may become ill if they become stressed and they may pass the organism to their offspring.

There's no single definitive test for chlamydiosis although several screening tests are available from your vet. A combination of history, clinical signs, blood work and tests can be used for diagnosis. Your vet will decide the best treatment course. Usually the disease is treatable, but treatment success depends on the bird's overall health, age and species, as well as the presence of other disease. Treatment is long term and should be combined with thorough disinfection of your premises with a vet-recommended disinfectant.

Disease transmission is via nasal discharge and faeces, either by inhalation or ingestion. C. psittaci is resistant to drying so can survive for a long time in the environment and readily becomes airborne in dust particles. Shedding of C. psittaci by infected birds (including asymptomatic birds) increases in times of stress (shipping, overcrowding, environmental stress, presence of other diseases, breeding, etc).

Prevention
If possible, purchase birds from sources that pre-screen for chlamydiosis and have new birds screened for chlamydiosis by an avian veterinarian. If you already have birds at home, quarantine new birds for at least six weeks. Should one of your birds be diagnosed with chlamydiosis, that bird should be isolated from other birds. Any other birds that show signs should be isolated immediately.

Precautions
Since the disease can be passed to people (ie is zoonotic), the following precautions should be taken if your pet bird is diagnosed with chlamydiosis: thoroughly disinfect your premises and all the bird's belongings; exercise caution when handling bird droppings; keep circulation of feathers and dust to a minimum; don't allow elderly, pregnant, sick or very young people to have contact with your bird; and reduce stress in the bird's environment.

Dr Ater McDonald at TAH Bellville has a special interest in birds.

Reference: Lianne McLeod DVM, About.com