Avian Borna Virus

[Watters7]

Just picked up my little Booboo (GCC) today from the vet after spending 3 nights. Although the test isn't back yet, all is leading to Borna Virus. Came on all of a sudden. Noticed that Booboo was quiet and had balance problems. He/she (about 18 months old) is alert and eating and we are starting meds (Celebrex) tonight. Has anyone had experience with this? I've been informed that this virus is contracted when the bird is very young.

 

[noodles123]

Generally, (BUT NOT ALWAYS!!!!--adult birds CAN AND DO get it from carriers) the virus is contracted by young birds. Not all ABV progresses to PDD. The disease can be transmitted from mother to chick (in egg) or bird to bird (oral fecal), but transmission routes are murky, as ABV is a relatively recent discovery. Studies have found that something like 45% of wild birds carry ABV and many never develop symptoms (although they can be asymptomatic while spreading the virus). Testing for ABV is tough because if a bird is a carrier, they will test negative unless they are actively shedding the virus at the time of the test. It can also take up to 10 years for an exposed bird to become symptomatic (if ever).
"
There is evidence that ABV is endemic in parrots in the United States, with screening of some homes and aviaries revealing infection rates of 33% to 60% in clinically healthy birds. Considering the difficulty of testing and the intermittent shedding of the virus, these infection rates for exposed birds are likely higher than what is reported.
The significance of low or inconsistent antibody levels and low PCR responses remains unclear; however there have been cases of even brief exposure resulting in clinical disease."
https://lafeber.com/vet/avian-bornavirus-primer/


Do not board your bird or bring it around other birds. If you have multiple birds, be very careful to wash in between handling, cleaning etc (and do not wear the same shirt etc between 2 different birds if one has ABV). Invest in a GOOD disinfectant like F10 SC ("kills" PDD at the appropriate dilution ratio after sitting for the proper duration).


Sorry to hear your are going through this!


Here are some recommendations I found:


https://www.beautyofbirds.com/pdd.html


"

• Avoid overcrowding.
• Pay attention to hygiene. This is particularly important for owners who keep multiple birds. Scrupulous, constant attention must be paid to cleanliness.. This is particularly important for owners who keep multiple birds. Scrupulous, constant attention must be paid to cleanliness.
• Immediately remove feces, vomitus, and dust, and disinfect all inanimate objects with which the bird has come in contact. This is vital in the prevention of the spread of the disease [17].
• Clean all surfaces and objects, such as toys and food/water dishes, frequently, to avert transmission through fomites.
• Take proper precautions to clean any exposed skin (particularly the hands and arms) and change clothing after handling the affected bird.
• Keep the aviary or home adequately ventilated.
• Provide superior nutrition and clean water daily.
• Avoid stressful conditions, particularly in aviary collections and in shelters.
• Do not smoke around the bird. Second-hand smoke and the use of other tobacco products inhibit the immune system. Smokers should not handle the bird unless they have cleansed their arms and hands thoroughly and changed clothing; the toxins on the skin can cause pododermatitis and lesions on the legs and skin.
• Isolate or remove any ABV- exposed and ABV-positive birds from the rest of the population in high-density situations, and separate them in home environments as needed [2].
• Do not wait to euthanize until the bird is nearly dead. The proventriculus can rupture, causing a quick but extremely painful death."

 

[Laurasea]

So sorry, this is s difficult disease to understand!!!! And even testing for it seems difficult, what with different labs getting different test results....did an x-ray reveal a dillated proventriculus? Can you provide more information on your birds symptoms and test results so we all can learn and understand more? What a terrible thing, so very sorry you and poor booboo are going through this!!

 

[Watters7]

I am waiting for the test results. I was informed it takes 7 days to get the results.
A dilated proventriculus was not mentioned. Booboo can't stand on a perch so I have to keep my little one in a fish tank. Feet are curled and sits leaning back. Can't walk very well. I am glad to see Booboo is eating and I hope its enough to keep the weight up although I have put food in a shallow dish so it's easier to get at. Have to do the same with the water. Booboo can't stand very well to get at the food cups. Any suggestions on what to put on the bottom of the tank? Booboo is sliding on the glass, but eats anything else we put down newspaper). Just had the first dose of Celebrex today (and daily thereafter) and continues with Enrofloxacin for the next 7 days. Hope we see some improvement. Such a sweet bird. We're doing everything we can

 

[noodles123]

could you just get a small bird cage and let him hang out on the bottom of that (so at least poop would go through the grate)? Then you could attach things to the sides more easily....(unless you are worried he will fall while climbing)...

 

[Watters7]

When I put Booboo in a cage, he just hangs onto the sides and I'm afraid he won't eat as he can't stand on the food and water cups. He's playing with some toys I put in the tank and rubbing his head on them, and he screeched for the first time in days! I plan to keep the bottom of the cage clean. Hoping his feet start to uncurl.

 

[noodles123]

I see- I guess your old cage setup is probably different than mine. I don't have to put food in the food holes provided because they latch shut (even when empty). On a cage like mine, if you buy a special screw-on food bowl, you can attach it to the metal grate pretty much anywhere you want to. I was thinking yours was like mine and that you could just put his food on a wall on or near the ground within the cage.

 

[Laurasea]

Man not standing feet curled that's so scary. I'm glad you are able to make him comfortable. You can take a small towle and roll it up and curve it around him sort of like a couch. This will give him some support and allow him to relax, if a rolled small town isn't stiff enough you can use a larger one. Has your vet rules out EEE and WNV? Did he have an x-ray? Do glad he is eating drinking and playing that is good news. My thoughts are with you both.

 

[Watters7]

X-rays were unremarkable. Just waiting on the final blood test to confirm the virus.
I hang his happy hut at night, otherwise, he hangs out in it during the day and doesn't eat as much. Sleeps in it at night. Quite the eating machine since yesterday and he's put on some weight as a result. Still playing with toys. Hoping the Celebrex makes a difference and helps with his feet. He's able to hang onto some of the toys I put in the temporary tank.

 

[Watters7]

Update on Booboo. Test for Borna Virus came back negative! Booboo is eating, playing with toys and interacting. He's able to climb and hold on in his cage, but can't perch. Right foot seems more clenched than left. Will continue to give him Celebrex and see if that improves movement of his feet.

 

[Laurasea]

Yeah BooBoo!!!! Get better soonest!!!! We are all cheering you on!!

 

[LordTriggs]

whoop whoop at least the test came back negative and sounds like he's at least improved a bit, and any improvement is always good! Hopefully can suss what the problem is

 

[EllenD]

I came to this thread late, but I was going to say that Borna Virus is extremely rare, and there are usually other classic signs/symptoms besides what you describe. So good deal, great to know for sure for peace of mind.

If he was a young chicken species under a year old I'd be certain he had Marek's Disease, as those are exactly the two calssic signs/symptoms of it...but luckily parrots cannot contract Marek's.

What you're describing actually sounds more like a neurological issue to me...How old is your Green Cheek? Has he ever had any accidents like flying into anything, ceiling fan, etc.? I have seen several birds over the years who's feet curled after a head or spine injury...The "leaning back" all the time is also typical of a neurological issue, or a spinal nerve issue (the sciatic-femoral nerve typically, which will effect both the legs/feet and the spine)...

Had he had any breathing issues, like coughing, wheezing, etc.? The reason I ask is that both of the symptoms you're describing are also early signs/symptoms of Aspergilliosis, but the respiratory symptoms should start soon or have already started...

Have they tried giving him any type of NSAID yet, like Metacam, or a corticosteroid injection? Usually they'll do this early-on, because if the bird shows any signs of relief or improvement of symptoms within a week of the start of the NSAID or the corticosteroid, then you know that it's definitely due to a nerve issue or some type of compression due to inflammation...Start easy and then move-on to the harder diagnoses...The Celebrex is an interesting option to try after ruling-out Borna Virus...what are they thinking the issue may be?

 

[noodles123]

I came to this thread late, but I was going to say that Borna Virus is extremely rare, and there are usually other classic signs/symptoms besides what you describe. So good deal, great to know for sure for peace of mind.

If he was a young chicken species under a year old I'd be certain he had Marek's Disease, as those are exactly the two calssic signs/symptoms of it...but luckily parrots cannot contract Marek's.

What you're describing actually sounds more like a neurological issue to me...How old is your Green Cheek? Has he ever had any accidents like flying into anything, ceiling fan, etc.? I have seen several birds over the years who's feet curled after a head or spine injury...The "leaning back" all the time is also typical of a neurological issue, or a spinal nerve issue (the sciatic-femoral nerve typically, which will effect both the legs/feet and the spine)...

Had he had any breathing issues, like coughing, wheezing, etc.? The reason I ask is that both of the symptoms you're describing are also early signs/symptoms of Aspergilliosis, but the respiratory symptoms should start soon or have already started...

Have they tried giving him any type of NSAID yet, like Metacam, or a corticosteroid injection? Usually they'll do this early-on, because if the bird shows any signs of relief or improvement of symptoms within a week of the start of the NSAID or the corticosteroid, then you know that it's definitely due to a nerve issue or some type of compression due to inflammation...Start easy and then move-on to the harder diagnoses...The Celebrex is an interesting option to try after ruling-out Borna Virus...what are they thinking the issue may be?

Ellen- It is pretty common in the USA, and it is very hard to detect based on a single test, as many infected birds produce false negatives if not actively shedding the virus at the time of testing. ---EDIT----Waters: I am not saying your bird has it----since your bird was showing symptoms of illness, if it had been ABV, odds are that the test would have been positive.


For those with questions about ABV incidence in captive birds, See the quote below (there are many others, but I just posted one):

https://lafeber.com/vet/avian-bornavirus-primer/
"There is evidence that ABV is endemic in parrots in the United States, with screening of some homes and aviaries revealing infection rates of 33% to 60% in clinically healthy birds. Considering the difficulty of testing and the intermittent shedding of the virus, these infection rates for exposed birds are likely higher than what is reported.
The significance of low or inconsistent antibody levels and low PCR responses remains unclear; however there have been cases of even brief exposure resulting in clinical disease."

 

[Watters7]

Thanks for all of your well wishes for Booboo! He actually stood on his perch for a little while today! He's done with his antibiotics and will continue with Celebrex. Bobbed his head for the first time in weeks! Looks like he's getting better every day! Booboo will be two in February. He's never had any accidents so not sure what happened. Still a mystery. I'm keeping in touch with the vet to report on his progress.

 

[noodles123]

YAY! So glad you are seeing progress!

 

[Watters7]

Hello! More progress! Booboo taking a bath and can stand on my finger and on his perch!
He can even eat standing on his food cup! Waiting for him to be able to stand and hold a blueberry with one foot!

 

[EllenD]

I'm so glad he's getting better, and also glad that the Borna Virus was not the issue...

Just to comment on Noodles response to me as I did in a PM, I was extremely surprised to read that Borna Virus is "becoming" a problem in the US, as i've not EVER seen a case in my mom's breeder's/babies, my breeder's/babies, so in 32 years...So that's actually disheartening...

What's really disheartening is that when I worked at the Avian Influenza Laboratory at Penn State, where we did testing, research, and worked on vaccinations and treatments for any and all Avian viruses, I don't remember ever even testing a sample for Borna Virus, not once. Now this was back between 2002-2005 (the time when Avian Influenza became something that people were actively fearing), so that's what I mean by it's very disheartening if Borna Virus has gone from a non-issue to a problem. We tested individual birds/parrots as well as flocks from all over the country (Avian Vets sent samples for specific testing, and farmers sent-in single bird samples up to entire flocks of thousands of birds), and though we did BV testing (I believe it was an ELISA test), I don't remember ever running one. Certainly never had a positive BV sample, though we unfortunately had many Avian Influenza positives during that time period, as well as a lot of PBFD, Psitticosis, and then all of the viruses that effect poultry birds, such as Marek's, etc. So to hear that we're moving backwards in this respect is sad to me...

 

[ChristaNL]

Borna is as common as dirt unfortunately, but since nobody seems to test for it ... it just flies under the radar.


No wonder you missed it- they only found out about it in 2008!


for a fun (ahem) read https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3209299/
(and since you really seem to like the details https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03079457.2011.589825 )

 

[Watters7]

Hello!

Another update on Booboo! He's able to stand on his perch and hold food in one foot as he stands on the other! He's also doing his usual chattering and bobbing! Such a mystery! Anyone have their fine feathered friend on Celebrex? This is the only medication he's on now. Going to continue with the medication with periodic updates to the vet on his progress.