Home | Table of Contents Volume 3 Issue 6
There is a very common fungus found all around us, that appears to have been infecting pet parrots at levels never dreamed of in our worst nightmares. In every pinch of dirt, speck of dust, and scoop of corncob bedding are the 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 for this infection. Until now, the face of this disease was that of an advanced, usually fatal respiratory infection. Large white masses could be seen growing in the air sacs, lungs or wind pipe, making it difficult to breathe and draining 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 a 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 infections. The results have been wonderful and very scary. We are in the midst of a veritable epidemic of Aspergillus infections. So many of the 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. Better still, they respond so very well to specialized treatment it is like a new day has dawned in avian medicine. Breeding pairs that were once very productive and that had mysteriously stopped producing fertile eggs were found to be, frequently, both infected with Aspergillus. The potential for returning these birds to breeding activity can save many aviaries from financial failure.		It is not clear why we are having such a problem with this fungus. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we have just come through a long, hot, wet Florida summer perfect conditions for Aspergillus growth. It is not certain yet if the problem is as bad further north. The infection is found in birds living in air-conditioned houses as well as in those living outside. So the infestation of fungal spores clearly reaches inside our homes. Susceptibility to infection is magnified by imbalanced diets heavy on seeds and light on vitamins and minerals. Filling the cage tray with corncob pieces ensures that your bird has to live over a "pit" of bacteria and fungal spores, ensuring exposure. Very few people bother to have their air conditioning ducts cleaned. If they only knew what was growing in there, they would rush to have them scrubbed out and disinfected. It cannot be very healthy for people, but it is many times worst for parrots. About six months after Hurricane Andrew, respiratory departments of the human hospitals were packed with cases of advanced Aspergillus pneumonia. Veterinary hospitals were filled with parrots with massive Aspergillus infections. The hurricane winds had whipped up the fungal spores only to have them settle in wet walls and attics so that they sprouted and flourished. The air was filled with an invisible cloud of spores. Everyone, including our animals, was very stressed for months following the destruction. Chronic stress suppresses and weakens the immune system making us all an easy mark for infection. So perhaps this is a wake up call regarding the level of stress in the lives of caged birds. No matter how content they seem to be with their nice new cage and toys and wide assortment of foods, they are still contending with the frustration of being a "caged animal". They may seem satisfied to the casual human observer, but the better our diagnostic tools and the better our understanding of our chosen pets, the more we can appreciate what we doing wrong and can begin to make crucial changes in their lives to keep them as happy, and therefore healthy as possible. Dr. Thomas Goldsmith practices at Avian and Exotic Medical Center, 12125 S. Dixie Hwy. Miami, Florida 33156 (305) 234-2473.