Polyomavirus

Polyomavirus, like its name clearly indicates, is a viral micro-organism. This microbe (germ) is highly widespread with bird species and can cause a lot of damage, especially within a breeding colony and homes where there is co-habitation with many birds. The fledglings are most susceptible to developing the disease and the consequences can be disastrous and can possibly even decimate an entire breeding colony.

This virus is transmittable to all parrots, though the smaller species like budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds are particularly sensitive. The symptoms are variable, from being without any clinical signs (perfectly normal bird), to head and neck tremors, in-coordination, a loss of appetite, bruising, feather bleeding, weight-loss and sometimes even sudden death. If a bird survives this disease, he remains a carrier of the virus and may eventually transmit it to other birds. It’s possible that a parrot be a viral carrier, without ever having displayed the disease in the past, and risks transmitting the disease to other birds that will eventually develop the disease.

There, unfortunately, isn’t a cure for this disease, only support treatment within a hospital environment; heat, force-feedings, fluid therapy, antibiotics, etc.

A blood test is necessary for screening of this disease since, as mentioned, there is no typical symptom. The test consists of searching for the presence of the virus’s DNA in the bird’s blood. If the result is negative, then the vaccination is strongly advised. It should be administered twice, at a 3 to 4 week interval and then, once a year for 7 consecutive years. Once the series of vaccines has been completed, then the bird is considered to be immune. We strongly recommend the polyoma vaccination for your bird particularly if you wish to adopt more than one parrot, especially if you get a fledgling. Furthermore, if vaccination against the virus generalizes then, incidents of the disease will become weaker and weaker and maybe, one day, be eradicated.