Chlamydia

Disease is caused by a toxin that is produced by the Chlamydia organisms

Transmission :
The disease is extremely common as a carrier disease in birds and is highly contagious. Elementary bodies (infective parts of the organism) are present in the feathers, the feather dust, dried feces and aerosols of affected birds and are dispersed by air circulation. Infectious elementary bodies can survive in the environment for several weeks. Elementary bodies are inhaled and are taken into respiratory cells by phagocytosis (cell swallowing) where they later start to multiply and cause disease. The disease may occur whenever there is close and continued contact with infected birds. Birds can also transmit the disease via eggs (vertical transmission) meaning that chicks can be born with it. 

Clinical Signs :
In general, acutely affected symptomatic birds present with the so-called sick bird syndrome, i.e. ruffled feathers, low body temperature and can collapse. Respiratory signs include conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membranes of the eyes), difficult breathing (dyspnoea) and inflammation of the sinuses. Birds will also present with yellow to greenish feces, dehydration and will usually die within one to two weeks.

In chronic cases the disease will present with the same signs as above plus central nervous system signs like tremors, convulsions and rhythmic eye movement. Pigeons, finches and small parakeets may develop keratoconjunctivitis (Dry EYE) with no other clinical signs.

Diagnosis can only be done properly at necropsy.

Treatment :
It is imperative to treat preventatively twice a year with Medpet Doxybiotic.  Use 5grams per 1 litre of drinking water and 5 grams per kg of soft food for 45 days, combining with Intestum, the product especially developed for avians as a prebiotic and probiotic.  Single cage birds may be treated with Medpet Doxybiotic-S, 

Salmonellosis (Paratyphoid)

Avian salmonellosis is caused by a group of bacteria of the genus salmonella. Approximately 2,300 different strains of salmonellae have been identified.

The paratyphoid forms constitute the great majority of salmonellae, and they are becoming increasingly important as causes of illness and death in birds.

Transmission:
Salmonella infections can be transmitted in many ways, and the importance of different modes for transmission varies with the strain of salmonellae, behavioral and feeding patterns of the bird species, and husbandry practices when human intervention becomes part of the hatching and rearing processes. Contaminated foods are the primary source for infection. Food and water become contaminated by fecal discharges from various sources. Rats, mice, and other species, including reptiles and turtles, in addition to birds, are sources of fecal discharges of paratyphoid forms of salmonellae. Inhalation of the bacterium during close confinement in high humidity environments such as hatching and brooder operations, direct contact with infected birds and animals, and insects are other demonstrated transmission routes for salmonellosis.

Clinical Signs:
These birds huddle, are unsteady, shiver, and breathe more rapidly than normal; their eyes begin to close shortly before death.  They exhibit nervous signs including un-coordination, staggering, tremors, and convulsions. Blindness has also been reported in some birds. The rapid death of songbirds at feeding stations has often caused observers to believe the birds had been poisoned.

Birds often have pasted vents and eyelids that are swollen and stuck together by a fluid discharge. Commonly reported signs among all species include ruffled feathers, droopiness, diarrhea, and severe lethargy.

Treatment :
Medpet Mediprim, Medivital, and Avivet can all be used in the treatment of sick birds.  Also use Intestum to remove unhealthy bacteria and support the beneficial bacteria.

 Candida (Yeast Infection)

Candida albicans is a yeast infection. It frequently occurs as a problem secondary to other infections, but also can develop on its own - perhaps from eating food that have been left out too long. Stress also play a role in suppressing the immune system of bird’s.  .Antibiotic treatment can also wipe out the gut flora, good and bad. However, antibiotics are useless against yeast.

Clinical Signs:
Sick bird syndrome develops slowly, where the bird becomes less and less active, sleeps more, fluffs up, and loses interest in its environment. It may attack the throat respiratory tracts, reproductive organs and vent. Rattling may also occur. Candida can escalate into secondary infections.

Prevention:
Keep the environment clean, remove fresh food before it gets old. Administer a good pre-, probiotic on a regular basis. INTESTUM is frequently prescribed during and after antibiotic treatment to prevent yeast infections. It will regenerate gut flora, thus creating competition with the yeast for resources and "starving" it out. The flora so produced , also will make the gut more acidic and thus less hospitable for yeasts

Avoid routine treatment of your flock with antibiotics as not only will this increase drug resistance and affect the natural immunities of your birds, it will also lead to yeast infections  

Treatment :
Medpet Medistatin and Intestum

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is an illness caused by a protozoan parasite that lives in the wall of the bowel.  Coccidiosis is an organism that is present in low numbers at any given time and only reveals itself during low immunity or stress. It's like the "common cold". Most of us are exposed regularly to this, but only those of us who are weak or temporarily immune-impaired tend to get sick.

Clinical Signs:
Watery droppings, fluffed up, inactive birds with shaking and weight loss followed by dark green, tacky, smelly diarrhea, blood in the droppings and sudden death, are signs of Coccidiosis.  Budgies, finches and pigeons are the most commonly affected species.

Treatment:
To ensure optimal efficacy, alternate Medicox and Coximed of Medpet.   Medpet Trimetroprim/ Sulpha,  Avisol and Embazin can also be used.

Trichomoniasis

This protozoan organism lives within the digestive tract and only spreads through intimate contact between birds eg, saliva.

Clinical signs :
Obvious clinical signs might be respiratory (Thick ropy saliva), regurgitation, blowing bubbles and emaciation. Parasites may also be present on wet droppings.

Treatment:
Use Medpet Medizole, Meditrich, 4+1 Powder or Ronsec tablets.  Ronsec is a slow release tablet that is highly effective against hyper resistant strains of Trichomoniasis.

Air Sac Mites

Each bird has nine principal air sacs with several diverticulitis within its respiratory tract. They are not connected to each other. The air sacs communicate with the bronchus and with several air filled bones such as the femur and humorous. The porous nature of these bones aids the bird’s flight. The habitat of the mites is in these air sacs.

Clinical Signs:
Some birds can be infected by the mites and appear healthy. The nature of the symptoms depends on several factors: volume of mites and degree of inflammation, not only in the air sacs but also in the lungs, bronchus and trachea. A clinical sign of air sac mites is open mouth breathing, which has a characteristic clicking sound. In a heavy infection some birds can be observed gasping for air. Other signs include coughing, nasal discharge, and tail bobbing, weakness and weight loss. As far as it is known, the complete life cycle of the Air Sac Mite is approximately fourteen to twenty one days.

Treatment:
Scatt is a product that was developed for birds in Australia by Vetafarm... The active ingredient is Moxidectin. This drug kills the mite by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses in the mite causing its paralysis and death. Birds, like mammals do not have the same nerve transmission system as mites so the drug is harmless to them. The manufacturer recommends for best results, re-treatment should be carried out 3 to 4 times per year.

Scaly Face Mite

The scaly face mite (Knemidokoptes pilae) is found primarily in Parakeets (Budgerigars), though it can turn up in canaries and finches as well. The mite is found on the corner of the beak on side, the vent and the legs, and can be diagnosed by identifying the clinical sign of their presence on the bird. This mite burrows in the shin, causing a powdery appearance. If you look closely, you will see a honey-comb pattern of holes in the skin, representing burrows and tunnels caused by the mites.

Treatment with SCATT:
Use SCATT the same for scaly face mites as you would for air sac mites. Apply 1 to 2 drops depending on the size of the bird (1 drop per 30g body weight), to the bare skin between the shoulders. You may need to re-treat in three weeks as the mites, which live in the "DEAD" beak or leg scales, do burrow down to feed on the blood. It is very difficult to get the SCATT down into the infected areas. This medication works from the inside out. Re-treat every three weeks until infected beak grows out. Treatment may take up to 6 weeks

Ecto-parasites (mites and lice)

Medpet Avian Insect Liquidator is  the ideal treatment to control mites and lice in aviaries as well as on the birds and is extremely safe.  It prevents eggs from mites and lice from hatching and pupae from further development.

Avian Insect Liquidator may also be used for the prevention of the transmittance of Tapeworm by ants and other insects to birds by spraying around the nests.  During Pox outbreaks it will also be useful to control mosquitoes.

Internal parasite (Verminosis)

Worms are a common cause of disease, emaciation and poor fertility. Use Mediworm Powder of Medpet to rid the bird of large roundworm, tapeworm and hairworm.  It is may be mixed into the bird’s food or crop dosed.  It is exceptionally safe and can be used in all avian species, even water birds and chickens.  It can be used during the breeding season, has no effect on feather growth, and may be used during the moult.

For pigeons, use Medpet’s Mediworm tablets.

Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma is one of the primary causes of upper respiratory disease in canaries and Ghouldians.  Mycoplasma may also be transmitted via the egg and cause infertility or early death of chicks in the egg or in the nest.  The unique combination of antimicrobials in Medpet’s Longstim will prevent this.

Vitamin and Mineral deficiencies

Medpet Premolt 5 is uniquely formulated as a total supplement for single cage birds.  It contains vitamins, mineral, trace elements and amino-acids.  Premolt 5 is also indicated for birds that show a tendency for feather plucking.  African Grey’s tend to develop a calcium deficiency if fed only on seeds.  Medpet Calcibird is a calcium, Vitamin D3 and Magnesium supplement specifically for birds that may be added to these bird’s drinking water twice a week.  It should also be used for all breeding birds three times a week.  The addition of Medpet Plume-plus oil to bird’s seed twice per week will supply essential fatty acids and improve plumage.