There is a very common fungus found all around us that appears to have been infecting pet parrots at levels never dreamt of in our worst nightmares. In every pinch of dirt, speck of dust, and scoop of corncob bedding, are spores of at least one species of this type of fungus: Aspergillus. As a result of newly developed blood tests it is now possible to screen your pet or breeder bird for this infection.
Until now the face of this disease was that of an advanced, usually fatal respiratory infection. Large white masses grow in the air sacs, lungs or windpipe, making it difficult to breathe and drain off the body’s nutrients for its own growth, like some giant parasite. Aspergillus was a classic disease of birds in the months after release from the import quarantine stations. These stations were a nightmare experience for the birds: Stressful, dirty, humid and overcrowded - perfect conditions for the growth of Aspergillus. By the time the infection became clinically apparent, there was slim chance for recovery.
Wildlife Centers that rehabilitated birds of prey realized that most of their patients were becoming infected with Aspergillus. In order to diagnose these cases earlier, the Minnesota Raptor Center developed a blood test. This was a tremendous help, but not yet reliable or dependable for infections in parrots. But now because of research at the University of Miami, we have the first test that allows us to screen parrots for early or mild infections. The results have been wonderful, and very scary. There is more Aspergillus infection in exotic birds than ever dreamed of.
So many self-mutilating birds, the feather pickers, the chronically depressed, the dull-feathered birds have been secretly fighting off subtle but draining fungal infections. Cases that never responded to antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, or improved diets are coming up positive on these tests. Breeding pairs that were once very productive and that had mysteriously stopped producing fertile eggs, may have fallen victim to Aspergillus because of the stress of breeding. The potential for returning these birds to breeding activity can save many aviaries from financial failure.
Every person and animal breathes in thousands of Aspergillus spores every day. They cannot grow in the lungs of a healthy body, but in a diseased lung, or in the case of a weak immune system, this very slow growing fungus can sprout. Immune systems are weakened for many reasons: social stress, anxiety, loneliness, viruses, old age, poor diet, nervousness, or pre-existing chronic disease.
In human medicine, no-one promises a cure anymore. Doctors speak of "controlling" the infections, suppressing it until no symptoms are noticeable, at least until the next episode. Treatments continue for months, sometimes years. This is the kind of disease that is more of a symptom of another problem. So because of the less than perfect immune system, treatment is an uphill battle.
How does this apply to parrots? Unfortunately almost all caged birds are eating poor diets, very deficient in important vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enough protein. This makes them candidates for infection already. Some birds are set up as breeders. Laying eggs and caring for babies is very stressful to the system, as well as requiring a lot more nutrition than for non-breeding birds. Most breeding birds are wild caught and not easily handled, or were once pets but have now "reverted" to a semi-wild state. These birds are very difficult to give medications to, except through the drinking water. (Not an option for Aspergillus treatment).
Obviously it would not be smart to buy a pair of breeding birds if one or both are already infected with this fungus. Have any potential purchases screened for Aspergillus before closing the deal.
The fact that so many pampered pet birds also have Aspergillus infections tells us a lot about the mental and nutritional state of our pets. Even the best diets – and we really do not know the exact needs of a single parrot species – cannot help a lonely, frustrated or nervous bird. Do not forget that these are social animals that we are forcing to live solitary lives, no matter how many toys they have in their cage. Just as fresh air and exercise improves our immune systems, so the very lack of open spaces and free flight have a negative effect on a pet bird. A loving owner spends as much time as possible, before and after work, playing with their bird. But from the bird’s perspective, this is just not enough. The rest of the day is spent in restricted isolation.
Screening for the disease is an important part of an annual health check, or a pre-breeding exam. Common outward symptoms that one should watch for are a very flaky or delaminating beak, very unstructured or frayed feathers that do not have "Velcro" between the strands, black edged feathers especially on the outside of the wings, and extreme itchiness. Even though there can be other causes of these things, none could be accepted as normal and are a flashing neon sign for an immediate health check.
Treatments for Aspergillus are improving all the time but are still less than perfect. Sometimes multiple drugs are necessary. It is possible to have a vaccine made specifically from and against your bird’s fungus, to "vaccinate" the body against what is infecting it, to stimulate very specific antifungal antibodies. In every case though, this slow to grow fungus is very slow to die and recovery will take time. Treatment of the fungal infection and the underlying causes is definitely necessary. It will not go away on its own.
Source:
Aspergillosis
Aspergillus –a Few Facts On How It Affects Parrots
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