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About Rev. Dr. S.August Abbott
Expertise
Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides. Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care. No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication. Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.

Experience
Certified Avian Specialist. For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.

Organizations
4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more

Publications
Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.

Education/Credentials
Doctorate, Ordained Minister

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Birds > Parrots > Weak positive result for Chlamydiosis

Parrots - Weak positive result for Chlamydiosis

Expert: Rev. Dr. S.August Abbott - 10/30/2009

Question
If my parrot (Pionus) tested "weak positive" for Chlamydiosis/psittacosis is he contagious? He tested weak positive twice with a 3 week gap in between. He's not on antibiotics because his body is coping with it shown by the same "weak positive" result both times. I was told by my vet that it means that he has been exposed to it - but is he contagious to other birds? I was hoping to look after a friends parrot for 2 weeks.

Answer
Quite often the bird doesn’t show noticeable symptoms, which can be very dangerous since this is a zoonotic disease and can prove quite serious in humans. The very young, the elderly and anyone with impaired immune systems are at higher risk, but this is such a troublesome and dangerous disease that all cases of confirmed, diagnosed psittacosis must be reported to the CDC (Center for Disease Control). It is most commonly spread by inhaling the bacteria in feather dander, dried droppings and other secretions. While bird to human infection is relatively easy this way, a human to human infection is just about never seen.

Psittacosis, if untreated, can cause inflammation of the brain and heart in humans, so I'd keep lines of communication open with your vet in getting this weak positive down to a negative for sure.

When it comes to housing another bird there - I wouldn't take the chance. In extreme situations if it's absolutely necessary precautions must be maintained.

A separate room with separate air supply. That means closing all vents to that room and providing a separate heat or cooling source.

Putting on a shower cap before entering; a clean lab coat, scrubs or even a bathrobe over your clothes and removing shoes or changing shoes, washing hands to enter that room.

These items cannot be anywhere in the same room as the bird testing positive by the way.

It's a lot of work and precautions, but since not all birds successfully make it through this disease, it's important to maintain.

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