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Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is one of the most common and devastating viral infections among parrots. The disease was first noted in Old World and South Pacific psittacines, but has spread to all areas of the world.
PBFD is caused by a virus. The virus responsible damages the immune system, resulting in chronic disease, much like the AIDS virus does people. This also results in long-term spread of the virus to other parrots. It can affect birds of any age, but is most commonly seen in young birds.
The virus is concentrated in diseased feathers and fecal material. As the feather disintegrates, the virus can be spread to other birds. It is likely that the disease is spread by consumption of the virus, either from food or while preening. In a close area such as an aviary or bird room the virus may be inhaled. Shed in feces, the virus may be become airborne as the fecal matter dries.
PBFD is HIGHLY contagious, especially among young birds. Older birds that come in contact with PBFD, may not contract the disease. Some believe that these surviving birds become carriers able to shed the disease at a later date. Others believe that a percentage of birds are able to eradicate the disease from their system leaving them with a natural immunity that can be passed on to their offspring.
The virus is very stable outside of a bird's body and is resistant to many disinfectants.
Clinical signs of PBFD usually appear in the feathers or the beak. Feathers will often be brittle and have a thickened feather sheath, which adheres to the feather. The feather shaft may be shaped like an hour glass. Infected birds will eventually lose most, or all , feathers and become extremely ill.
The photos above show the deformation of the feather tip, and the discoloration in the feather sheath
Diagnosis of PBFD is made through a DNA probe and is extremely accurate as there is specific DNA found in the PBFD virus. Since the immune system is capable of fighting off the virus from transient infection, in a bird testing positive, a retest should be performed in 3 months. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the bird must live in a household where there are no other parrots.
Additional photos of sheath discoloration. The last photo shows the debilitating effect of advanced PBFD. This Congo African Grey passed at the age of thirteen weeks. He was confirmed PBFD.
There is no treatment for PBFD and it is most always fatal in parrots.
Birds with strong immune systems can live many years with the disease.
New world species seem to be more resistant.
Vaccination (Inactivated vaccine)
A killed-virus vaccine has recently been developed. When given to normal healthy birds the vaccine stimulates immunity to the Psittacine circovirus. The vaccine is not a treatment for birds already affected by PBFD because it does not cure birds already infected with PBFD. In fact it can exacerbate the disease process.
It is important to vaccinate pet birds at an early age. Birds as young as 14 days of age can be vaccinated. All vaccinated pets need to have a booster one month after their first vaccination. After this pet birds should be examined every six months until they are 3 years of age. This vaccination is only available in Australia in experimental conditions, at this time.
Recent research conducted http://www.avianbiotech.com/Research_P4.htm
Supportive Care: Firstly if a bird is infected and is being kept with several other birds, the bird should be quarantined and the pens disinfected. This to prevent spread through the other birds. Therapeutical interventions (by definition using pharmaceutical drugs) can only be limited to treating secondary infections (bacterial/fungal). The individual bird can sometimes recover, but it must be noted that this is rare. If only the feathers are affected and the bird suffers not of other signs, an acceptable life can exist. But if the bird's beak or nails get affected, most veterinarians will suggest to euthanase the animal. Dr Ross Perry often explores a holistic approach including the use of combinations of nutraceutical supplements to supporting the life and well-being of PBFD-affected pet birds and notes that the need for euthanasia because of suffering can sometimes be postponed for years. Unfortunately no therapies have been found yet. The management of the disease lies thus mostly in prevention. Every new bird that enters a pen with other birds should be quarantined first and be tested for PBFD virus. Birds which are known carriers should not be introduced into new pens, especially not if those contain young birds.
The African Grey photos are used with permission © www.ellen-parrots.com she has been a Lovebird breeder, and while Second Chance Birds is anti-breeding and anti-buying of birds, these are the best photos of this disease available.?
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