🫁 Vet Health 2025: Aspergillosis in Birds—Signs, Testing, and Treatment for Fungal Lung Disease 🦜

Aspergillosis is one of the most common and serious respiratory diseases in pet birds. Caused by a fungal infection, it often starts silently and progresses over time, damaging the lungs, air sacs, and even other organs. In this 2025 bird health guide, Dr Duncan Houston explains how to recognize aspergillosis, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatment options are available to give your bird the best chance of recovery. 🧬

🌫️ What Is Aspergillosis?

Aspergillosis is caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, a common environmental fungus. Its spores are inhaled from contaminated bedding, food, or air—especially in humid, dirty, or poorly ventilated spaces. Healthy birds may tolerate some spores, but birds under stress or with weak immune systems are vulnerable. 🦠

Risk factors include:

• 🍂 Damp or moldy bedding (e.g., corn cob, walnut shell)
• 🥫 Long-term food storage or spoiled food
• 🦜 Vitamin A deficiency (especially with all-seed diets)
• 🚫 Poor cage hygiene or ventilation
• 📉 Immune suppression (from stress, disease, or antibiotics)

All pet birds can develop aspergillosis, but African Greys, Amazons, and Pionus parrots are especially at risk. 🧠

🔍 Symptoms of Aspergillosis in Birds

Aspergillosis often progresses slowly, with early signs easy to miss. By the time symptoms are noticeable, the infection is often advanced. 😞

🪶 Early or Chronic Signs:

• 😴 Lethargy or decreased energy
• 📉 Weight loss despite normal eating
• 🚫 Reduced appetite
• 😤 Exercise intolerance (panting, breathlessness)

🫁 Advanced Respiratory Signs:

• 🔊 Open-mouth breathing or wheezing
• 🐦 Gurgling sounds or voice changes
• 💨 Increased respiratory rate or effort
• 😰 Sudden respiratory distress (emergency!)

🧠 Other Potential Signs:

• 💩 Diarrhea or regurgitation
• 🤯 Neurological signs like tremors or incoordination
• 🪽 Wing droop or weakness (from air sac inflammation)

Because aspergillosis can spread to the rest of the body, it can present with a wide range of symptoms—not just respiratory distress. 🧬

🔬 How Is Aspergillosis Diagnosed?

No single test can confirm aspergillosis. Diagnosis often involves a combination of:

• 🩺 Physical exam and history (especially stress or prior illness)
• 🧪 Bloodwork (CBC, chemistry) showing inflammation
• 📸 Radiographs (X-rays) showing changes in lungs or air sacs
• 🎥 Endoscopy to visualize fungal plaques in the airways

Definitive Diagnosis:

• 🧫 Fungal culture from air sac or tracheal samples
• 🔬 Cytology or biopsy of tissue under a microscope

Newer blood tests for fungal antigens or antibodies are available, but they can produce false positives or negatives. Your vet may use these as part of the bigger picture. 🧠

💊 Can Aspergillosis Be Treated?

Yes, but it’s a serious disease. Early treatment gives the best outcome. Management typically includes:

1. 💊 Antifungal Medications

• 🧪 Itraconazole – Oral antifungal, most commonly used
• 💉 Amphotericin B – Injectable or topical, used during endoscopy
• 💨 Nebulized antifungals – Delivers medication directly to airways

Some birds may need 6 weeks to 6 months of treatment. Compliance and close monitoring are key. ✅

2. 🏥 Supportive Care

• 🍽️ Assisted feeding if not eating
• 💧 Fluids for dehydration
• 🌡️ Warm, low-stress environment

3. 🔧 Surgery or Emergency Airway Support

• 🫁 Removal of airway granulomas if breathing is blocked
• 📌 Air sac cannula may be placed for emergency respiration

Anesthesia is risky for birds in respiratory distress, but it may be life-saving in some cases. 🛠️

📉 Prognosis and Recovery

The outlook depends on how early the infection is caught and how strong the bird’s immune system is. Mild cases caught early can have an excellent prognosis. Chronic or advanced cases may have a guarded outcome. ❗

🛡️ Prevention: Best Defense Against Aspergillosis

Because Aspergillus is in the environment, it can’t be eliminated. But exposure and infection risk can be minimized:

🏡 Clean Environment:

• 🧼 Daily cage cleaning and waste removal
• 🚫 Avoid corn cob, walnut shell, or dusty bedding
• 💨 Ensure proper ventilation

🍽️ Food Safety:

• 🥫 Don’t feed damp, old, or moldy food
• 📦 Store feed in dry, sealed containers

🧠 Reduce Stress and Monitor Health:

• 🩺 Annual avian exams
• 🧪 Address nutritional gaps, especially vitamin A
• 😌 Reduce overcrowding and social stressors

📲 Ask A Vet: Respiratory Help and Antifungal Advice

Worried your bird is breathing heavily, losing weight, or regurgitating? Use the Ask A Vet app to connect with avian vets like Dr Duncan Houston for fast advice and testing recommendations. 🦜📱

• 📸 Send videos of breathing or symptoms
• 📋 Get test result reviews and second opinions
• 💬 Ask about antifungal protocols or nebulization support

Download the Ask A Vet app today and give your bird the support they need to breathe easy. 💙

🏁 Final Thoughts: Catch It Early, Act Fast

Aspergillosis can look like a slow decline or a sudden emergency. Knowing the signs—and acting early—can be life-saving. 🧬

💡 Clean, dry, stress-free living conditions are your bird’s best defense. Keep up with routine vet care and never ignore subtle changes in behavior, energy, or breathing.

🐾 For personalized avian care and recovery plans, visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to speak with Dr Duncan Houston. Because every breath your bird takes matters. 🦜💙