Avian tuberculosis (mycobacteria) in parrots
Other names: Bird TB
Symptoms
- Chronic weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Enlarged liver
- Swellings/nodules
How it spreads
Oral, from a contaminated environment; a chronic disease affecting older birds.
Diagnosis
Acid-fast stain, culture, PCR of a liver sample or droppings (droppings PCR is better than staining).
Treatment
Long triple therapy of 6–12 months or more; the prognosis is poor in advanced cases.
Prevention
Hygiene, culling infected birds; precautions for immunocompromised people.
Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.
Other diseases
- Chlamydiosis (parrot fever)
- Gram-negative bacterial infection (E. coli/Klebsiella/Pseudomonas)
- Salmonella
- Chronic sinusitis (mycoplasma)
- Clostridial infection
- Bumblefoot