How to Treat Chlamydiosis in Conures

Chlamydiosis, also called parrot fever, is a disease caused by a bacteria. It can affect just about any species of birds, including the conure. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, but no matter how bad the symptoms, it’s important that you get your conure treated if they get infected. To treat the disease, take your bird to the vet so they can prescribe antibiotics.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Treating the Bird

  1. Taking the bird to an avian vet as soon as possible is important to ensure that your bird gets the proper treatment. Chlamydiosis is treatable, but it cannot be treated with home remedies and can get serious if not treated promptly.
    • The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the bird’s species, age, and immunity, as well as the how long the bird has been sick and the strain of the infection.
  2. Your vet will prescribe antibiotics to treat your bird. There are two possible antibiotics they may give your bird, tetracycline or doxycycline. The bird will have to take the medication for 45 days. [1]
    • While your bird is taking the antibiotic, all calcium should be removed from their diet. Calcium interferes with the antibiotic.
    • Sometimes birds with chlamydiosis have swollen eyes. If your bird is prescribed a topical eye medication for its swollen eyes, make sure you're also giving it antibiotics so the underlying issue is addressed.
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  3. Talk to your doctor about the best way to give your bird their medication. The antibiotics may be given in liquid form twice each day, or your vet may give your conure an injection every 2-3 days.
    • If these methods don’t work, you can get medicated food or water to feed your conure.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Containing the Infection

  1. It is extremely important that you remove the conure from all other birds. Place them into their own cage in another room from uninfected birds. Chlamydiosis is spread through feces and nasal discharge, so you want to keep other birds away from them. [2]
    • You should also make sure that any human contact is minimal. Infected birds can spread the infection to humans, especially people with weakened immune systems.
    • If you start experiencing flu-like symptoms or respiratory problems, visit your doctor as soon as possible.
  2. Sanitize the cage . Take everything out of the cage and disinfect it. While wearing gloves and a face mask, start by wiping up any feces and food debris, and then wash the cage with hot, soapy water. Then, use a bird-safe disinfectant or vinegar solution to disinfect the cage. [3]
    • Make sure you wash and sanitize all perches, toys, and food bowls.
    • Try to keep any spreading or dusting of feathers or feces particles to a minimum. The infection spreads through the air, so moving around the feces and feathers and releasing particles into the air can spread the disease to both birds and humans.
    • To make a vinegar solution, mix one part white distilled vinegar with two parts water.
    • After the cage has dried, place everything back inside.
  3. Even if your other birds have had minimal contact with the infected bird, you should still monitor them for symptoms. If you are afraid they have become infected, you should take them to the vet to get tested. [4]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Recognizing the Symptoms

  1. Respiratory problems may point to Chlamydiosis in your conure. Check your bird for a runny nose or any signs of a sinus infection, such as crusting around the nose or thin liquid around their nostrils.
    • You should also check for breathing problems. The bird may have labored breathing, noisy or wheezing breaths, or shortness of breath.
  2. Chlamydiosis may also cause digestive upsets. The bird may experience diarrhea or watery droppings. The urates, which is the chalky white part of the droppings, may turn shades of yellow, gray, or green. [5]
    • The bird may urinate more than usual or be excessively thirsty.
  3. Chronic Chlamydiosis may cause neurological symptoms that include tremors or convulsions. The bird may hold its head in awkward positions, such as bent towards the back. [6]
    • The conure may experience some paralysis in their legs.
  4. Some symptoms of Chlamydiosis are non-specific and point to your bird not feeling well. Some birds may not show any specific symptoms. However, if your bird is under the weather, get them evaluated immediately. [7]
    • Notice any physical problems, such as eyes that are swollen or contain push or fluffed up feathers.
    • Look to see if your bird is lethargic and less active. Any weakness, loss of appetite, or weight loss is also a sign of a problem.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What are the symptoms of psittacosis in humans?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    The symptoms of psittacosis in people are described as 'flu-like'. This includes running a fever, muscle aches, and headache. It also affects the lungs and people with weak immune systems may be at risk of developing pneumonia and should see a physician.
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  • Question
    Can birds transmit chlamydia to humans?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Yes, avian chlamydiosis is a 'zoonosis' and is infectious to people. Humans become infected by contact with chlamydia excreted in the bird's feces or respiratory secretions. This is considered a highly infectious illness and people can become sick after a single exposure to an infected bird.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/bacterial-diseases-of-pet-birds
      2. ↑ https://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDA_Chlamydiosis_Brochure_31974_7.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.petco.com/content/content-hub/home/articlePages/01/bird-cage-cleaning-daily-weekly-and-monthly-bird-cage-maint.html
      4. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/psittacosis.html
      5. ↑ http://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/bacterial-diseases-of-pet-birds
      6. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/psittacosis.html
      7. ↑ http://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/pet-birds/bacterial-diseases-of-pet-birds

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To properly treat your conure’s chlamydiosis, make sure to remove all calcium from its diet as it takes the antibiotic prescribed by the vet because calcium will cause the antibiotic not to work. Your bird will likely have to take tetracycline or doxycycline for 45 days to clear up the infection. While your bird is being treated, it’s important to keep it away from all other birds so it can’t infect them through its feces or nasal discharge. Chlamydiosis can also be passed on to humans, so keep all contact with your bird to a minimum. To prevent another infection, put on a mask and gloves and clean your bird’s cage, along with any toys or food bowls, with a bird-safe disinfectant or vinegar solution. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to recognize symptoms of chronic Chlamydiosis, read on.

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