Psittacine Beak and feather Disease
Psittacine Beak and feather Disease is a contagious, fatal viral disease that affects the beak, feathers and immune system of birds belonging to the Psittacidae family.
PBFD is extremely contagious. Large amounts of the virus which can become airborne, can be found in the droppings, contents of the crop and feather dust of infected birds.
The feather dust is easily dispersed and can contaminate food, water, cages, clothing and other areas of the environment.
Signs of PBFD vary as there are different stages of the disease.
Signs can include diarrhea-causing pneumonia, lesions on the feathers, fragile, easily fractured feathers, both primary and secondary tail will be lost.
Bare skin will be exposed, and the normal feather dust wont be found on the body or beak.
Necrotic areas may be found inside the upper beak, and the beak may elongate, becoming deformed, and fracture.
In some birds, the nails can also be deformed.
The disease is progressive and there is no cure for PBFD!
Euthanasia may need to be considered for birds with severe and painful signs.