E Coli in parrots!!!!!

07-16-2008, 06:42 AM

we just found out this morning that Cosmo, my mom's amazon has E Coli.... i have been scrambling all over the web for information, but i was wondering if any of you have had to deal with this before. If there is anything that we should be doing etc. her vet is going to call her this afternoon since he was going into emergency surgery and couldn't answer her questions when she went to pick up his medication this morning.

any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

thank you

07-16-2008, 06:56 AM

Oh dear! This sounds like PaulaBeilke's thread this week - titled "Help emergency". I don't want to scare you but you should read this. It scares me! Should we quit giving our birds fresh veggies? Prayers for all of you!

07-16-2008, 06:59 AM

I don't know much either - but I found this info.

Avian E-Coli - Escherichia Coli - Parrot Diseases

Quote:

....
Several different types of pathogenic E. coli are capable of causing disease. A particularly dangerous type is referred to as enterohemorrhagic E. coli, or EHEC.
....

The distribution of E. coli in psittacines varies one one species to another. It is less common in Amazons and macaws, sometimes found in greys, and common in cockatoos and Eclectus. In fact, E. coli can compose as much as 30 percent of the gut flora of some psittacines and others like cockatiels and budgies carry somewhat less.

....
Transmission:
The bacteria is shed from an infected bird in the fecal material as well as nasal and or ocular secretions. The organism remains stable outside the host body and may dry as a dusty substance. This dust contaminates the air in the form of aerosols. These aerosols are then inhaled by another possible host. Susceptibility as well as the amount of contamination determine whether or not the new host becomes infected with the disease.
.....

Symptoms:

Ruffled feathers - diarrhea - listlessness - weakness - shivering - vent picking The severity of the illness can depend on the age of the bird, the virulence of the bacteria, the immune system, stress and the degree of contamination. Affected birds can also become carriers showing no disease symptoms.
.....

Prevention:

Keep water and feed bowls free of fecal material. Identify carrier birds and properly treat them. Careful disposal of contaminated materials. Minimize Stress in the aviary. People working with contaminated material should practice good hygiene.

Treatment:
Broad spectrum antibiotics should only be started when a sample for culturing has been taken. Oral and injected antibiotics should be given simultaneously in severe cases. The sulfa drugs are good to use orally. Kanamycin and Gentamycin are usually effective by injection. When Gentamycin is used do not allow dehydration. Dehydration may cause toxicity to occur. ......

That's what I thought might be of some help right now until you know what you are dealing with.

07-16-2008, 07:11 AM

I would think e-coli can make a birds little body crash fast. He will need antibiotics immediately. So this is a medical emergency. Good luck and keep us posted. Does he have watery poops? Is he drinking?

Please everyone, with the size of the outbreak in this country of e-coli and salmonella, wash your birds food carefully if feeding raw and wash your hands! I cant believe this is getting to our birds now. this is devastating.

07-16-2008, 07:15 AM

Devastating and scary! I think also, stay away from Jalapeno peppers!

07-16-2008, 07:43 AM

What to do?? What to do???? Does GSE (grapefruit seed extract) kill it?

07-16-2008, 08:14 AM

E-Coli - Until they find out which strain, from the Vet, they should wait but be safe.

Cleaning - I would think that GSE would kill anything. Don't forget Apple Cider Vinegar as well. Keeping things clean is a constant reminder - remember megabacteria?!

Remember that any cleaner is most effective if rinsed really well afterwards as the primary function of a cleaner is to trap & isolate. Leaving any cleaner on is just adding to problems.

New cleaning product - I like it! I recently bought a cleaner I am over the moon about. I use it to clean hands primarily and clothes [great spot remover] and floors and yes even my tomatoes & peppers. It is a Fair Trade & organic product. The packaging is pure hippie so it might offend some people - can't think why - got to love inspirational poetry! .... Dr Bronner Magic Soaps ~ i bought the Lavender Hemp Pure Castle Soap. *they do warn about getting it in your eyes & I can say after our dispenser shot me some I was red eyed all day. It is an American product so you should be able to find it easily. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps All-One!

07-16-2008, 08:25 AM

Is the bird already at the vet and thats how they know. Im sorry I might have missed a thread!

07-16-2008, 08:41 AM

A Parrot Chatter member recently fostered some macaws that tested positive for e-coli - she probably knows more about this now than most people- my friend who was in communication with her regarding this sent me some of the details, as she knows I am interested in all these things.

Quote:

all four birds grew heavy E.coli from the cloacal cultures. Very odd. I think it is worth treating...I hope the macaws with the e.coli are going to be okay. The strain is everything, and that’s often hard to determine. E. coli can be a killer (the capsule form), or it can be something actually relatively harmless. Clearly, the birds were contaminated from either food or water, or exposure to birds that normally carry this—lots of wild birds support e.coli colonies with no ill effects...Well, if they aren’t having diarrhea, or presenting with illness, I’m not going to panic . Sounds like they were exposed to a water/food source contaminant, but it’s not a problematic strain...you know, these e.coli strains can become entrenched.

Hopefully our friend can tell you more.

07-16-2008, 09:20 AM

It can come from something as stupid as using a public phone or resting your hand on the handrail of a staircase in an apartment building and not washing your hands after. That's why I never take my birds anywhere but the vet's office and I never allow anybody to touch them.

And, yes, depending on the strain, the bird should be OK on its own or given antibiotics. My husband had an e.coli infection years ago and he had to take three different kinds of antibiotics for three whole months to get rid of it. Some strains are highly resistant to antibiotics.