Wasting Disease of Parrots

During the months of late March to September when the weather is starting to cool off. A number of juvenile birds particularly King parrots and Galahs are reported as suffering from a wasting syndrome.

The birds are weak and easily caught. They show signs of severe loss of body weight noted by the sharpness of the keel bone, normally not noticeable due to the surrounding chest muscles. In addition they have diarrhoea with green faeces adhering to the vent feathers around the cloacal opening.  As this is a severe condition with a rapid onset some birds are simply found dead.

The disease is known as Spironucleosis after a small protozoan parasite which attacks the gut lining of mainly the small intestine but also parts of the large intestine. This results in the inability to digest food hence the resulting loss in body weight and diarrhoea.

It is assumed that the young birds are infected by sharing food from the adults. This in combination with the stress of cooler weather, weaning and a growing shortage of food through the winter challenges the bird’s immunity and results in the disease.

 Diagnosis can be confused with a number of other diseases including Aspergillosis, Salmonellosis, Psittacosis and Chlamydiosis. All of these diseases have symptoms with some similarities and are associated with small microscopic organisms. However Spironucleosis is seen every year within the ACT and should be high on the probable diagnostic list.

Spironucleosis can only be confirmed in a live bird by a microscopic examination of the faeces. Low powered microscopy with a darken field can detect these flagella protozoan organisms which resemble a tiny tadpole having a polar head and an active thrash tail. The faecal sample has to be taken and examined fresh because the organism once exposed to drying encysts into a small hard to recognise clear ball.

Successful treatment of these birds depends on rapid intervention and the prognosis depends on the initial extent of bodyweight loss. Treatment is initially intensive involving forced feeding and fluids. A warm environment and the use of anti protozoan medication such as dimetridazole or metronidazole are also required. Treatment programs can last from 7-14 days with a gradual increase in body weight increased appetite and cessation of diarrhoea. Carers are reminded to maintain a high level of hygiene when nursing these birds due to the high level of cross contamination caused by the droppings.