Learn about Cryptococcosis also known C.neoformans an infectious condition that occurs due to a fungus. Discover its symptoms, causes, and prevention measures.

Cryptococcosis (Cryptococcus neoformans) | Birds | VetandTech

Cryptococcosis (Cryptococcus neoformans)

<p><img alt="Cryptococcosis (Cryptococcus neoformans) in Birds" src="https://web.dvmcentral.com/file-manager/preview?disk=file-manager&amp;path=Cryptococcosis%20(Cryptococcus%20Neoformans)%20in%20Birds.jpg&amp;v=1682603069" style="height:283px; width:875px" />Cryptococcosis is an infectious condition that occurs due to a fungus. This fungus is found in soil, decaying wood, tree hollows, and bird droppings.</p>

<h3><strong>How it spreads :&nbsp;</strong></h3>

<p>People can have cryptococcosis due to breathing in an environment with microscopic fungus.</p>

<h3><strong>Who is at risk :</strong></h3>

<p>Cryptococcosis is rare in healthy people because it will only affect those who have weakened immune systems.</p>

<h3><strong>Signs in birds :</strong></h3>

<p>It is not common to see any signs in the birds.</p>

<h3><strong>Symptoms in people :&nbsp;</strong></h3>

<p>The symptoms of cryptococcosis are similar to pneumonia, cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Besides, cryptococcal meningitis causes neck pain, fever, and headache.</p>

<p>C.neoformans is common in the environment, so it is difficult to avoid exposure to it. Therefore, avoiding and controlling bird droppings (especially pigeons) is critical.</p>

<p>For humans: It is difficult to avoid breathing C.neoformans as it is so common in the environment. Most people who breathe in C.neoformans are not harmed by it. However, C.neoformans can remain hidden in the body and cause infection later when the immune system becomes too weak to fight it off. This creates a window of opportunity for the silent infection to be detected and treated before symptoms appear.</p>

<p>People with C.neoformans infection should take the antifungal medication for at least six months or longer. This kind of treatment depends on the severity of the infection and the affected body parts.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Those with asymptomatic or mild-to-moderate pulmonary infections will have the fluconazole treatment.</li>
	<li>People with severe or central nervous system infections will have the initial treatment, including amphotericin B and flucytosine.</li>
	<li>Further, the patients have to take fluconazole to enhance the time for clearing the infection.</li>
</ul>

<p>The duration, dose, and type of antifungal treatment can differ for a few groups of people. For instance, those people include pregnant women, infants, and people with fewer resource settings. In addition, some people have to go through surgery to remove the fungal growths entirely.</p>

Learn about Histoplasmosis in birds, a fungal infection from bat and bird droppings in soil. Explore its symptoms, prevention and diagnosis & treatment.

Histoplasmosis (Histoplasma Capsulatum) | Birds | VetandTech

Histoplasmosis (Histoplasma Capsulatum)

<p><img alt="Histoplasmosis (Histoplasma Capsulatum) in Birds" src="https://web.dvmcentral.com/file-manager/preview?disk=file-manager&amp;path=Histoplasmosis%20(Histoplasma%20Capsulatum)%20in%20Birds.jpg&amp;v=1682603069" style="height:283px; width:875px" />Histoplasmosis is a common infection caused by the fungus found in the environment. Besides, it is found in the soil that has a large amount of bat and bird droppings.</p>

<h3><strong>How It Spreads :</strong></h3>

<p>People can have histoplasmosis while breathing in an environment that has microscopic fungus.</p>

<h3><strong>Who Is At Risk :</strong></h3>

<p>Any person can have histoplasmosis; most of those with serious infections are 65 years old or above, infants, and those who have weak immunity?</p>

<h3><strong>Signs In Birds :</strong></h3>

<p>The birds do not get ill from histoplasmosis.</p>

<h3><strong>Symptoms In People :</strong></h3>

<p>The people will not be sick from histoplasmosis. People who get sick from histoplasmosis will have cough, fever, and fatigue symptoms. The symptoms appear around 3 to 17 days of exposure.</p>

<p>Histoplasma is prevalent in the atmosphere, so avoiding breathing it in can be difficult. People who have weakened immune systems (like AIDS, an organ transplant, or medications such as corticosteroids or TNF-inhibitors) should avoid doing activities in areas that are known to be associated with getting histoplasmosis, such as:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Chopping wood or digging soil where bird or bat droppings are present</li>
	<li>Cleaning chicken coops</li>
	<li>Exploring caves</li>
	<li>Cleaning, remodeling, or tearing down old buildings</li>
</ul>

<p>Professional companies that specialize in removing hazardous waste should clean large amounts of bird or bat droppings.</p>

<p>Some people have the symptoms of histoplasmosis that go away without any treatment. Nonetheless, prescription for the treatment of this disease includes antifungal medication. It is ideal for those suffering from severe histoplasmosis and infections that have spread from the lungs to other body parts, known as disseminated histoplasmosis.</p>

<p>Itraconazole is a medication used to treat fungus infections, especially histoplasmosis. Due to the severity of the infection and the person&#39;s immune status, the treatment can vary from 3 months to a year.</p>

Learn about Psittacosis, a bacterial disease caused by Chlamydia Psittaci spread through respiratory secretions of infected birds. Find out its symptoms and treatment options.

Psittacosis (Chlamydiophila psittaci) | Birds | VetandTech

Psittacosis (Chlamydiophila psittaci)

<p><img alt="Psittacosis (Chlamydiophila psittaci) in Birds" src="https://web.dvmcentral.com/file-manager/preview?disk=file-manager&amp;path=Psittacosis%20(Chlamydiophila%20Psittaci)%20in%20Birds.jpg&amp;v=1682603069" style="height:283px; width:875px" />Psittacosis is a disease that is caused due to bacteria (Chlamydia Psittaci) which spread through the respiratory secretions and droppings of the infected birds. People who get psittacosis have exposure to poultry, turkeys, ducks, cockatiels, pet birds, and parrots. When pet birds are infected, veterinarians call this avian diseas chlamydiosis.</p>

<h3><strong>How It Spreads :</strong></h3>

<p>People commonly get psittacosis due to breathing in an environment with respiratory secretions and droppings of infected birds. Rarely will the birds infect people from bites or contact with the beak.</p>

<h3><strong>Who Is At Risk&nbsp;</strong>:&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Any person can get psittacosis, but it is common among adults. Moreover, those with pet birds are at high risk of this disease.</p>

<h3><strong>Signs In Birds :&nbsp;</strong></h3>

<p>The birds infected with psittacosis will not be showing any symptoms. But some of them which would show the symptoms include discharge from the nose, eyes, diarrhea, green urates, loose droppings (the droppings are white), causes difficulty in breathing.</p>

<h3><strong>Symptoms In People :&nbsp;</strong></h3>

<p>The people who get sick with psittacosis will have chills, fever, headache, muscle aches, difficulty in breathing, and dry cough. The symptoms will show up after 5 to 14 days. Less commonly, many people have reported the symptoms of this disease after 14 days.</p>

<p>The transmission of C.Psittaci is not transferred from one person to another. So, many countries ask clinicians to report cases regarding psittacosis to the health authorities. Timely diagnosis and reporting aid in identifying the infection source and controlling the spread of the disease. In addition, it is crucial to educate patients about handling and cleaning the birds.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align:justify">Psittacosis is tough to diagnose, but clinicians should know how to provide the proper antibiotic treatment for quicker recovery. If psittacosis is found, people with more severe conditions should be treated with doxycycline immediately</p>

<h2><strong>Measures To Stay Healthy Around Birds That Are Kept As Pets</strong></h2>

<p>Before you adopt or buy a bird, ensure that you choose the right pet type for your family. It is crucial to know that pet birds have a long life span. For example, some parrots have a life of over 20 years. Unfortunately, the birds that require special care can transfer the germs to people and make them sick. Due to this reason, certain kinds of birds are not suitable for children and people that do not have strong immunity.</p>

<h3><strong>Washing Hands Is A Must!</strong></h3>

<p>Wash your hands thoroughly with soapy water in the following circumstances:</p>

<ul>
	<li>After touching the birds or handling any of their equipment such as food, toys, water dishes, etc</li>
	<li>After cleaning the habitats, birdcages, and perches</li>
	<li>Before you drink, eat, or smoke.</li>
	<li>The adults should look after the children while they wash their hands.</li>
	<li>Do not forget to use a hand sanitizer if there is no soap.</li>
	<li>Keep the hand sanitizer near the bird&#39;s cage so the guests can use it after handling the birds.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Carefully Clean The Bird&#39;s Cage And Other Gear</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>You should not pick the birds&#39; droppings with bare hands while cleaning their cages.</li>
	<li>Please wash your hands after cleaning the bird or handling any of their equipment.</li>
	<li>Do not wash any of their equipment in the kitchen sink because their water and food containers and cages contain bacteria and germs that can cause cross-contamination.</li>
	<li>Wash the hands after cleaning the supplies of the birds to prevent the spread of infections.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Measures To Prevent Bird Scratches And Bites</strong></h3>

<p>The pet birds can cause damage with their beaks. Therefore, there will be a spread of germs if the pet bird bites you. They have sharp talons and nails. Therefore, the spread of germs is possible with their nails. The germs can spread even if the wound is not deep. Therefore, supervise children when handling birds.&nbsp;</p>

<h3><strong>In case a bird scratches you or bites you, consider the following aspects:</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Wash the wound/ injury with water and soap if the bird scratches or bites you.</li>
	<li>You have to seek medical attention if the bird is sick, the wound is serious, painful, causes extreme pain, bone or muscle exposure, or there is a need for stitches.</li>
	<li>If you had tetanus, shot more than five years ago.</li>
	<li>If you seek medical attention, do not forget that you had a bird scratch or bite to the doctor.</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>How Can You Keep The Pet Birds In A Healthy Condition?</strong></h2>

<p>It is essential to keep the pet birds healthy to ensure the healthy condition of you and your family. So, do not forget to ponder all the measures which we are going to explain here.</p>

<h3><strong>Before Picking A Bird To Keep As A Pet</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Check the property laws of your state before buying any bird to keep as a pet. Many governments have ordinances against dangerous birds because of their noise, size, and public health.</li>
	<li>Consider a local veterinarian with experience with the birds kept as pets. An avian veterinarian will take certain measures to keep the bird healthy.</li>
	<li>Learn about several kinds of birds, their needs, and their personalities before adopting one is important. Most birds are intelligent, and they require attention.</li>
	<li>You need to know the lifespan of a bird because there are many birds with a lifespan of 20 years.</li>
	<li>It is crucial to research how to care for the bird before adopting or buying them. So, consult your veterinarian for the proper care, food, and environment perfect for the bird you will adopt.</li>
	<li>Choose the right location of the bird&#39;s cage, enclosure, or perch. The pet birds cage should be kept in a warm, dust-free area with enough lighting and is near most of the activities in the home.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Other Important Aspects To Consider While Choosing A Pet Bird</strong></h3>

<p>When you are adopting a pet bird, you have to consider the following aspects:</p>

<ul>
	<li>You have to match the bird&#39;s attitude, temperament, activity level, size, and life span with your family, home, and time you spare to spend with your pet.</li>
	<li>It is important to choose alert, active, and bright birds. Choose the birds with soft, smooth, and sleek feathers that do not have droppings or debris. On the contrary, the birds which do not move around much, look dirty, or seem depressed must be ill.</li>
	<li>You must know the signs of illness in a pet bird. For instance, the ill bird signs include depressed or sluggish looks, feather loss, abnormal breathing, fluid running from the eyes or nose, or ruffled feathers.</li>
	<li>When you bring the birds into a house with some other pets, ensure that the new birds are kept separate for a few days before introducing them to the existing pet birds in the home. It will ensure that the new birds do not pass any disease to the existing pets.</li>
	<li>While keeping the birds separate, you have to wash your hands with soapy water before handling the group of birds. Plus, ensure that the food and water dishes, toys, perch, cage, and other equipment are clean.</li>
	<li>When you adopt a new bird, you need to take it to the avian veterinarians to get the best advice for taking care of the new pet. Then, you should return to the veterinarian for checkups and trimming of the nail, beak, or wing as per the veterinarian&#39;s suggestions.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Pet Birds Importation In The United States</strong></h3>

<p>USDA regulates the pet importation of the birds kept as pets. Due to the risk of bird flu, USDA will restrict the import of birds from some countries. They enforce 30 days quarantine for the birds that are imported birds.</p>

<h3><strong>How To House Birds To Keep As Pets?</strong></h3>

<p>Ensure a secure and sturdy cage or enclosure for the pet bird. Also, keep the pet birds from interacting with other wild animals or insects. Especially keep the birds away from areas that often have many mosquitoes.</p>

<ul>
	<li>The insects and animals can spread diseases to the birds.</li>
	<li>If you allow the bird to fly around the home, supervise them because they can get accidentally hurt or trapped.</li>
	<li>Prevent housing the pet birds in the places where the drinks or food are served, stored, or prepared, like kitchen or dining rooms.</li>
	<li>You have to supervise the children while playing with the birds, so they do not unintentionally hurt them.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cleaning And Disinfection Of The Bird Equipment And Cages</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Keep the enclosures, perches, and birdcages clean, so it does not get filled with droppings.</li>
	<li>Do not use the food preparation areas to clean the supplies and habitats of the birds. So, clean the items outside of the house whenever it is possible.</li>
	<li>If you are cleaning the supplies and habitats of the birds, use a laundry sink or a spare bathtub. Do not forget to disinfect the cleaning area afterward.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>How To Keep A Check On The Pet Bird&#39;s Health?</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>You should visit an avian veterinarian for routine checkups of the pet birds and prevent infectious diseases.</li>
	<li>The sick birds will lose weight, appear sluggish or depressed, and suffer from diarrhea. Also, the feathers of the birds will start falling more often. The birds will be sick if you see any of these symptoms.</li>
	<li>If the bird is sick and dies a month after you adopt then consider taking the following measures:</li>
</ul>

<p>1. Contact the veterinarian immediately.</p>

<p>2. Inform the breeder, adoption place, and store about the illness and bird&#39;s death.</p>

<p>3. You have to wait before buying or adopting any pet bird.</p>

<p>4. Do not forget to clean the pet&#39;s cage before putting another bird in it.</p>

<p>5. Disinfection is also important to <a href="https://www.vetandtech.com/blogs/a-guide-to-common-bird-diseases-symptoms-and-treatments"><span style="color:#2980b9">prevent infectious diseases</span></a> from that cage, perch, or enclosure.</p>

Discover the potential health risks of owning birds as pets in the US. Learn how to protect your birds from common bird diseases and how to keep your birds healthy.

Bird Diseases and Symptoms | Healthy Birds | VetandTech

Birds

<p><img alt="Common Diseases in Birds" src="https://web.dvmcentral.com/file-manager/preview?disk=file-manager&amp;path=Common%20Diseases%20in%20Birds.jpg&amp;v=1682603069" style="height:283px; width:875px" /></p>

<p>One of the enchanting pets that people love to add to their household is a bird. In the US, over 5 million households have birds kept as pets. Indeed, the birds become entertaining companions, but their owners should be aware because they carry some germs and spread them.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, the birds carry germs that can be the main reason for sickness in people. Besides, the sickness can be mild to chronic. By now you will have a question in mind which is the right way to protect yourself from bird diseases? So the answer is simple: Wash your hands after touching the birds, their items in the cage, and droppings to prevent such infectious diseases.</p>

<p>Routinely veterinary care and some healthy tips will ensure that you are not prone to get sick by owning a pet bird or touching it</p>

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