Avian Medicine Q&A 20

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Avian Medicine questions

This bird has been feather plucking.

Question	Answer		Article
List those medical causes of feather plucking which are or may be infectious, contagious or transmissible.	PBFD (circovirus); budgerigar fledgeling disease (Polyomavirus: French moult); ectoparasites (e.g. Dermanyssus gallinae); endoparasites (e.g. Giardia sp.); chlamydiosis; fungal dermatitis.		Link to Article
List the non-infectious medical, including metabolic, causes of feather plucking.	Bacterial dermatitis; pulpitis or folliculitis; allergy; hepatitis; hypothyroidism; skin neoplasia; follicular cysts; post-traumatic injury, or arthritic or scar tissue pain; nutritional deficiency (e.g. hypovitaminosis A; B vitamin deficiencies; essential amino acid deficiencies (e.g. lysine)).		Link to Article
Describe the diagnosis of the aetiologies described in q1.	PCR for PBFD and BFD; physical examination at day and night for ectoparasites; faecal examination for endoparasites; PCR/ELISA (antigen/antibody) for chlamydiosis; skin scrape microscopic examination and culture for fungal dermatitis; stained impression smear, culture and sensitivity for bacterial infections. Also, haematology and biochemistry, thyroid stimulation test, biopsy and histopathology, improved diet and monitoring response to therapy.		Link to Article
List the environmental causes of feather plucking.	Excess tobacco smoke; excessively dry atmosphere; excessive day length in direct sunlight; lack of environmental enrichment.		Link to Article
List the psychological causes of feather plucking.	Attention seeking; boredom; overcrowding; environmental change or lack of routine; sexual frustration; excessive preening; post untidy feather or wing clipping.		Link to Article