Avian Influenza
Symptoms in Birds
Avian influenza (H5N1) is more commonly called "bird flu." It is devastating to all wild and domestic bird species and can potentially cross over to humans. Bird flu can wipe out a farm in days. The only cure is to kill all of the birds to keep it from spreading, and then you must disinfect the area.
Types
There are two types of bird flu. Only one of these kinds is fatal to birds--high-path avian influenza (HPAI). The second type, low-path avian influenza, produces hardly any symptoms but, according to the USDA, it can mutate to HPAI.
First Symptoms
According to the USDA, symptoms of low-path avian influenza include loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing and a drop in the number of eggs lain.
Later Symptoms
Symptoms of HPAI include sudden loss of energy, loss of coordination, no appetite at all, eggs that are malformed or soft-shelled, discharge running from the nostrils, swollen heads, perpetually ruffled feathers and diarrhea.
No Symptoms
UC Davis Veterinary Medical Extension reports that sometimes birds infected with HPAI will show absolutely no symptoms before they suddenly die.
Considerations
Any farm birds that suddenly die should be suspected of having HPAI. Laws in most countries require that the farm owner or the veterinarian called to the farm needs to report to local authorities so they can come out and place the farm in quarantine.
Related posts
Budgies are one of the easier birds to breed.Although often kept as pets, birds such as parrots, exotic songbirds, and toucans are still considered wild birds that have not been changed from their...
So you want to raise game birds as a hobby or small business. While it seems as simple as growing chickens, game birds like pheasant, grouse, ducks and quail have different needs resulting in diff...
Despite having a common origin, birds and turtles are very different.Scientists teach that birds evolved from reptiles. The first birds began evolving sometime during the Mesozoic era, from 144 mi...
Be careful what you feed your pet birdFood poisoning in birds is caused when a bird eats or drinks something that is contaminated or unhealthy. Pet owners often share their meals with their pet bi...
As long as one parent is alive, baby birds will still receive care.Raising what appears to be an abandoned wild bird may seem like the compassionate thing to do, but it should be avoided whenever...
