03/04/2025
HUNTING THE BUDGIE KILLER
Trichomoniasis:
This illness is caused by a microscopic protozoan - Trichomonas Gallinae.
Know your killer: Trichomonas gallinae is a flagellated protozoan parasite, commonly known as “canker”. They are small, 5 to 20 µm size, oval to pea-shaped flagellates with four free, anteriorly placed flagella, axostyle protruding from the posterior end, and an undulating membrane. Trichomonads have a direct life cycle and reproduce by binary fission.
Trichomoniasis usually occurs in aviaries with many birds housed together and rarely is seen in individual pet birds. Infection may extend into the esophagus, crop, lungs, and oral cavity. The budgerigar is the most commonly affected pet bird.
Clinical Signs:
- White, sticky plaques may coalesce to form yellow, caseated masses on the choana, tongue, or pharyngeal mucosa.
- Common signs include anorexia and weight loss.
- Moisture around the beak and halitosis may occur.
Diagnostics: Crop wash cytology, PCR.
Treatment: Give Benzimidazoles, e.g., metronidazole (Flagyl-Searle), 1g/L × 10 days in water. Crush the tablets and mix with a palatable liquid.
Prevention: Difficult to stop bird-to-bird transmission but may reduce by preventing food contamination.
Quarantine the infected bird in a warm and well ventilated area. Start the treatment. If you saw the clinical sign before quarantine, then it is advised to treat the entire flock, especially cage partners.
In an aviary, quarantine and examine all new budgerigars for organisms in the pharynx and crop before introduction to the flock.
Note:
This is a series post. Today's post is 01 of 05 part of this series. Keep your eyes on the Title for the next post.
Disclaimer Note: I'm not a veterinary doctor. Information are compiled from different research papers. Pictures are from internet.
