Aspergillosis - an infection caused when a bird with a compromised/unhealthy immune system inhales the mold spore, which becomes trapped inside it's air sacs.  When conditions are dry, aspergillosis typically doesn't have much effect on the bird.  However, when conditions become humid, the mold spore multiplies exponentially.  Predisposing factors that can result in an aspergillosis infection include: other illness, stress (from shipping, breeding, cramped housing, etc.), poor nutrition, unsanitary housing conditions, other injury to the respiratory system, prolonged used of medications such as antibiotics and corticosteroids, and higher levels of humidity (above 40%) - especially when temperatures rise above 68 degrees.

With ornamental birds (i.e., finches/hookbills), common aspergillosis contaminates include:  corn cob bedding or other organic matter such as walnut shells or wood bark (mulch), air conditions during spring planting/fall harvesting or during construction where soil is being moved, damp housing/nesting conditions, exposure to potting soil or peat moss, soiled housing (damp/wet, excessive fecal buildup), moldy or contaminated seed, and fresh fruits/vegetables that have not been washed with soap and water and scrubbed with a brush.

Symptoms:

     - acute:  severe difficulty with breathing, decreased or loss of appetite, frequently drinking and urinating, development of cyanosis (a bluish coloration of mucous membranes and/or skin), and even sudden death.  The fungus generally affects the trachea, syrinx (voice box), and air sacs, but the lungs also can be involved.

     - chronic:  This is much more common, and, unfortunately, much more deadly.  The bird may not become symptomatic until the disease has progressed too far for a cure.  The respiratory system is the primary location of infection in chronic cases.  White nodules appear and, ultimately, erode through the tissue causing large numbers of spores to enter the bloodstream.  The spores then travel throughout the body, infecting multiple organs.  Spores also can penetrate fresh or incubating eggs and kill the embryos.

In both types, respiratory symptoms are the first to occur.  Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing and/or intolerance to exercise are very common.  If the voice box is involved, a change in voice, reluctance to talk or chirp, or a "scratchy" or "clicking" sound may occur.  The nares can become plugged or develop a discharge.  Eventually, respiratory compromise may kill the bird.

Other signs and symptoms vary depending on the organs involved.  If any portion of the central nervous system has become involved, the bird may have tremors, an uneven or wobbly gait, difficulty perching, seizures, or paralysis.  With liver involvement, the urates will have a green discoloration and, over time, the liver will become enlarged.  Generalized, non-specific symptoms can include the loss of appetite leading to weight loss (aka "going light"), muscle wasting, gout, regurgitation, abnormal feces or diarrhea, excessive urination, depression, and lethargy.

Aspergillosis can be difficult to diagnose since the signs of the disease mimic those of many other illnesses, especially in the chronic form.  X-rays, a complete blood count, and a chemistry panel are needed, along with an accurate description of the diet and husbandry of the bird are necessary to form a diagnosis in most cases.  Endoscopy can be used to view lesions in the syrinx or trachea and a sample can be taken for culture to confirm a diagnosis.  Specific blood tests used to detect antibodies to aspergillus also can be done.  But, false negatives can result if the bird's immune system is suppressed.

Treatment:  Surgery can be performed to remove accessible lesions.  Since Aspergillosis is a mold spore infection, treating with antibiotics is not effective.  Anti-fungal drugs, such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, terbinafine, flucytosine, and amphotericin B administered orally, topically, by injection, or nebulizer are used to treat fungal infections.  Therapy typically can last weeks to months and, sometimes, more than one antifungal drug must be used.  Supportive care, such as oxygen, supplemental heat (dry), tube feeding, and treatment of any other underlying conditions often are needed.

Bumblefoot - typically caused by a staph infection.  Often, it begins as a scaly foot mite or other injury.  Poor nutrition and/or bad perches or uniform perches may play a role.  Staph bacteria from a perch get into the wound causing a local infection.  If left untreated, tendons, ligament, and bone damage is inevitable.  Systemic blood poisoning can occur.

Symptoms: swollen and red feet; bleeding through the scales; some yellow crusting and discharge.   Usually, you will see a bird favoring the infected foot.

Michele Faires