Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)
This is a devastating disease to birds. It is caused by a virus and affects the beak, feathers, skin, nails and immune systems. It is most commonly found in Cockatoos, African Greys, Lovebirds, Lories and Lorikeets, Eclectus parrots and Budgies.
Symptoms
In most of the above species, symptoms first arise between 6 months and 3 years, or during normal adult feather development. These symptoms include:
Lovebirds and Budgies can commonly be infected with PBFD and not show any outward symptoms of the illness. This makes them especially dangerous to be housed with young birds that are highly susceptible to PBFD. Testing for this disease prior to introduction of a new bird into your household is extremely important.
Diagnosis
Fortunately, diagnosing PBFD is relatively easy and can be done with a simple PCR test on blood to isolate viral DNA. If your bird's test results are positive, then this test should be re-run in 90 days. In a small number of cases birds can be transiently affected with the virus or clear the virus without becoming ill.
Treatment
There is no definitive treatment for the virus once your bird is infected. Supportive care is given for as long as the bird remains comfortable with a good quality of life, and typically includes pain medication (as this disease is quite painful as it progresses) and treatment for secondary infections as the immune system fails. Most birds infected with PBFD will die from disease-related symptoms within a few months to a year after diagnosis.
Preventing PBFD in Your Bird
There is no vaccine available for PBFD, so prevention lies in proper quarantine procedures, testing, and good hygiene. Always ask your breeder about what types of birds he/she breeds and what the cleaning/hygiene practices of the breeding facility are. If you already have birds in your home, a new bird needs to be quarantined in a different room of the house for a minimum of 60 days prior to being introduced into your flock. This not only allows time for the bird to get adjusted to your home and your routine, but it allows time for disease testing and time for any diseases the bird is currently carrying to show up (respiratory, gastrointestinal problems primarily). Take your new bird to an avian veterinarian within the first week of obtaining it to get a thorough physical exam. Viral testing and other bloodwork may be recommended at that time.
Symptoms
In most of the above species, symptoms first arise between 6 months and 3 years, or during normal adult feather development. These symptoms include:
- Loss of powder down (especially in Cockatoos)
- Glossy beak (due to loss of powder down)
- Malformed feathers
- Feather cysts
- Feathers that bleed easily
- Brittle nails and beak with malformations or necrotic areas
- Loss of appetite, weight loss and non-specific symptoms (regurgitation, slow crop emptying)
- Sudden death
Lovebirds and Budgies can commonly be infected with PBFD and not show any outward symptoms of the illness. This makes them especially dangerous to be housed with young birds that are highly susceptible to PBFD. Testing for this disease prior to introduction of a new bird into your household is extremely important.
Diagnosis
Fortunately, diagnosing PBFD is relatively easy and can be done with a simple PCR test on blood to isolate viral DNA. If your bird's test results are positive, then this test should be re-run in 90 days. In a small number of cases birds can be transiently affected with the virus or clear the virus without becoming ill.
Treatment
There is no definitive treatment for the virus once your bird is infected. Supportive care is given for as long as the bird remains comfortable with a good quality of life, and typically includes pain medication (as this disease is quite painful as it progresses) and treatment for secondary infections as the immune system fails. Most birds infected with PBFD will die from disease-related symptoms within a few months to a year after diagnosis.
Preventing PBFD in Your Bird
There is no vaccine available for PBFD, so prevention lies in proper quarantine procedures, testing, and good hygiene. Always ask your breeder about what types of birds he/she breeds and what the cleaning/hygiene practices of the breeding facility are. If you already have birds in your home, a new bird needs to be quarantined in a different room of the house for a minimum of 60 days prior to being introduced into your flock. This not only allows time for the bird to get adjusted to your home and your routine, but it allows time for disease testing and time for any diseases the bird is currently carrying to show up (respiratory, gastrointestinal problems primarily). Take your new bird to an avian veterinarian within the first week of obtaining it to get a thorough physical exam. Viral testing and other bloodwork may be recommended at that time.