Macaw Respiratory Hypersensitivity (Macaw Asthma)

This was posted to another bird group I am on:

This is a "heads up" for people who have Macaws/Cockatoo/Greys......a friend of ours has just lost her Macaw to do this issue....a lot of people don't understand what happens when you have a different types of birds and they are together....

I would like to make bird owners aware of the dangers of keeping macaws in close proximity with African greys/cockatiels/cockatoos. Many think that there is no reason for concern. I have friends who had their macaws become very ill with respiratory problems. Sadly, yesterday a friend lost her beautiful and brilliant Red Front macaw. She is devastated and feels terribly guilty. I cried most of yesterday. Please, this is not a myth. Parrots that are dusty such as those I listed can cause illness and death in macaws. Air filters do not work. Separate rooms must be used.

An asthma-like disorder affecting macaws (primarily blue and gold macaws) has been recognized for several decades. The source of the irritant causing the hypersensitivity may vary, and may be difficult to determine. One common cause of respiratory irritation in macaws is the powder-down produced from “dusty” bird species (such as cockatoos and African Grey parrots). This does not mean that all macaws must be kept in separate areas from cockatoos or African Greys. As with people, only some macaws are sensitive to allergies.
Your veterinarian may need to do several procedures to determine if your macaw's respiratory condition is due to this hypersensitivity or to other causes such as bacterial or fungal infection. A blood cell count and x-rays are often performed. A tracheal wash may be necessary to determine if a combination of these diseases is present, and to select the appropriate treatment. A lung biopsy is the only way to confirm the diagnosis.

Initially, the best treatment for a bird that is in respiratory distress from this condition is oxygen. Your veterinarian may also consider the use of glucocorticoids or other anti-inflammatory drugs. Long-term management requires optimal air quality and ventilation. A good air filter (such as a HEPA filter) located near the cage is invaluable. Repeat crises may occur and necessitate rehospitalization and treatment, but a change of environment and increased ventilation will reduce the likelihood of severe relapse. Some permanent lung damage is usually present, and exercise intolerance often persists due to interstitial fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs.

Polycythemia, an increase in the percentage of red blood cells, is a very common finding on the blood work and may be the best method to screen for this disease before it becomes a noticeable problem.


The condition is described in Merck's Manual: Lung and Airway Disorders of Pet Birds: Disorders and Diseases of Birds: The Merck Manual for Pet Health

And discussed by Dr. James Morrisey in a presentation to the 2013 Western Veterinary Conference: http://www.wvc.org/images/session_notes_2013/2013_EX6.pdf

Weco there are 2 points that I feel are not totally accurate. I don't think separate rooms is enough. The dust travels throughout the house. Yes, another room would be better but is it truly enough? My gut feeling is that it is not and it is a bird's life we are talking about if we are wrong in that assumption.

We hear that it is the Blue & Gold's that are sensitive to the dust. The bird that died was a Red Front Macaw. When I was looking for a Hyacinth I found one that sounded like a really sweet bird but I talked to my vet about that bird living with 2 'Toos and his response was that B&G's are more readily available compared to the other species and when you compare just the statistics, there just were not that many cases because of the lesser amount of Hy's to study. Needless to say, I did not buy that bird that had the odds stacked against him.

So many people feel that having a HEPA air filter will be enough. It was not and a precious bird died. The 'Too had a really good one next to that cage and the Mac has a little lessor quality one next to hers. Air filters are just NOT good enough to handle the dust.

I too have cried too many tears for this sweet angle and feel so bad for her Mama because she too had ignored the warnings and I cannot image the guilt she is feeling at this time. This is gut retching for her. Besides loosing the RFM she is now also having her heart torn out again because she has to rehome the Grey too in order to protect the rest of her Macaws.

PLEASE, people, this is serious with dire consequences for a bird to mix Macaws in with the dusty birds which also includes the 'Tiels.

Thanks for the reply.....really, the only reason I posted this was because I'd not seen a similar post around here, but then I don't read all that's posted to the forums & could have missed something.....

I know some people acquire birds with a "birds of a feather" mentality, never thinking of possible dangers from specie interaction, so figured someone might find the information useful.....I added the links simply because I wanted to be able to qualify the information I received in the E-mail...and because I could not qualify the efficacy of the E-mail.....

Though I have not thoroughly read the information contained in both links, I was satisfied that I was on the right informational track and your response further exemplifies that thought, thanks.....

I only hope more people will start understanding the consequences when they mix these birds together.