Archive Case #39: Avian Chlamydiosis

Clinical Clues

1. A companion parrot is presented for lethargy, poor appetite, and intermittent green droppings.
2. The owner has also noticed mild ocular discharge and sneezing over the past week.
3. The bird is fluffed up, quiet, and has lost body condition.
4. Examination reveals conjunctivitis and signs of respiratory involvement without a focal oral lesion.
5. Choanal and cloacal testing supports infection with Chlamydia psittaci.
6. This important zoonotic disease of birds can cause systemic illness with respiratory, ocular, and gastrointestinal signs.

Diagnosis

Avian Chlamydiosis

This case is most consistent with Avian Chlamydiosis because the bird has a multisystem illness involving the eyes, respiratory tract, and droppings with testing supportive of Chlamydia psittaci. The most important clues are the conjunctivitis, green droppings, and zoonotic respiratory picture, which make a simple local upper airway problem less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.