Avian Diseases
Diseases and illnesses that affect birds
Airsacculitis
All Types of Birds
An inflammation of the air sac in birds, caused by a variety of bacteria. It is a highly infectious disease, and is most commonly found among large flocks or domestic farms, and is more prominent among younger birds. Recognizable symptoms are an inflammation of the neck, difficulty breathing, coughing, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, ruffled feathers, watery eyes, and lethargy. Female birds may also lay fewer eggs, and young birds have stunted growth development.
Angel Wing
Waterfowl
A disorder where the final joint of the wing is twisted in such a way where the wing feathers point out horizontally, instead of being pressed against the body. Affects waterfowl more commonly than other birds, but has been seen in some other species. The cause is unknown, but is most commonly theorized as a genetic disorder, or dietary issues.
Avian Botulism
Waterfowl
A non-infectious yet incredibly deadly disease, this strain of botulism is a neurotoxin that causes paralysis. It can be spotted from flaccidity in the limbs, and a protuberant nictitating membrane. Due to its fast-acting nature, botulism is very difficult to spot before an outbreak has already started, though the outbreak itself can be spotted through the sudden presence of several dozen bird carcasses appearing in an area at once. Reporting this disease to local veterinarians if symptoms are recognized is very important to containing and preventing a potential outbreak.
Bird Flu
All Types of Birds, mostly Waterfowl
One of the most prominent, contagious, and dangerous avian diseases. Most wild birds are asymptomatic, which allows the disease to spread further undetected. For those who aren't asymptomatic, common signs are sudden death, lethargy, low appetite, purple discoloration or swelling, misshapen or soft-shelled eggs, discoordination, diarrhea, and coughing. Bird Flu is also known to migrate to other animals, including humans, so reporting of symptoms is especially important to prevent an outbreak.
Avian Keratin Disorder
Theoretically, only Passerines
A newly emerging disease in North America that affect the beak growth of affected birds. It can be recognized by an accelerated growth of the affected bird's beak, leading to a misshapen and elongated beak that heavily impact a bird's ability to eat or groom itself. This inability to eat can be fatal. Less common symptoms are skin lesions across the body, though it is currently unknown if these are directly or tangentially related.
Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy
Waterfowl and Raptors
A newly discovered neurological disease in the United States. Lesions develop on the brain and spinal cord, resulting in a myriad of symptoms. These include a lack of coordination while flying or swimming, crashing while flying, weight loss, unresponsiveness to noise, decreased pain response, and a weakness of the limbs, beak, and tongue. These lesions ultimately result in death, but reporting potential sightings could help veterinarians better understand the disease.
Bumblefoot
All Types of Birds
One of the most common causes for avian admittance into veterinary clinics, this infection is caused by opportunistic bacteria entering cuts on a bird's foot. The area becomes inflamed, and develops lesions in a variety of forms. This can make it difficult for the bird to stand, put added stress on the non-affected foot, and can make it difficult for raptors to hunt.
Frounce
Mostly Raptors
A small parasitic lifeform, frounce is a build-up of plaque within the mouth of a raptor. This makes it very difficult for the bird to eat, and can be spotted by the affected bird eating messily or refusing to eat entirely. Other symptoms are a loss of balance, visible plaque buildup in and around the mouth, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Death often occurs quickly after infection, ranging from one to three weeks. Reporting sightings of potential Frounce is vital, because veterinarians are able to treat and cure the disease if it is reported and brought in early enough.
