Causes
This is an infection of the crop with microscopic host animals (flagellates), the trichomonads (Trichomonas gallinae).
Possible causes can be:
- poor hygienic housing conditions
- too infrequent water changes (especially at high temperatures)
- insufficient cleaning of drinking bowls or even bird baths
- Malnutrition (e.g. vitamin deficiency)
Water bowls etc.
Since trichomonads are very sensitive to dehydration , it is advisable to always let cleaned drinking bowls and other water vessels dry out for 24 hours .
Symptoms
The flagellates (trichomonads) initially colonize the pharyngeal and goitrous mucosa, but in advanced stages they can also infect the entire gastrointestinal tract.
- The budgie ruffles its feathers and appears apathetic.
- The constant irritation of the mucous membrane results in thick, greasy, yellowish coatings.
- Regurgitation of a fetid mucus then gums up the head feathers.
- Diarrhea may also occur.
- The swelling of the affected mucous membranes can then also lead to acute respiratory distress .
- As the disease progresses, the bird finds it increasingly difficult to swallowand becomes emaciated.
Eventually, the sick budgie starves to death despite a filled food bowl.
Diagnosis
A button probe is used to flush goiter with a saline solution, and the aspirated flushing fluid is then immediately examined under a microscope. There, the motile flagellates can be easily identified.
Alternatively, a swab can be taken using a cotton swab moistened with saline solution and examined under the microscope in the same way.
Therapy
As long as the trichomonads are only in the crop and beak cavity, they can usually be treated successfully with a suitable medication.
However, as soon as the trichomonads have broken into the bloodstream and formed abscesses in the internal organs, any help usually comes too late.
In addition to drug therapy, it is necessary to clean the cage and drinking and feeding bowls with boiling water. The perches should also be sterilized for half an hour (e.g. boiling water or oven).
Transmission
Since the Trichomonaden can be easily over the beak as well as over food and drinking water transferred , should all other Wellensittich withbetreated, even if they show still no symptoms of a disease.