PetSmart Inc. (Phoenix) in December voluntarily suspended bird sales in approximately 775 stores in 46 states after a small percentage of cockatiels from its primary vendor, Preferred Birds (Milton, Fla.), tested positive for exposure to, or infection with, psittacosis.
Birds tested positive for the disease in 23 of the company’s stores, and may have been exposed to the bacteria prior to their arrival at the stores.
Psittacosis, also known as chlamydophila, is a bacterial infection that is carried by many bird species but is found primarily in parrots. It can cause human respiratory infection similar to a cold or flu, and can be treated with antibiotics. Humans typically are exposed to the disease by inhaling dust from bird habitats soiled with dried feces, or from hand-to-mouth exposure after contact with birds or bird feces.
After receiving the positive test results, PetSmart notified appropriate state health officials, including those in Georgia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Washington, voluntarily suspended bird sales at stores supplied by Preferred Birds and began treating exposed birds with antibiotics. However, company officials expected to resume bird sales in February, after completing antibiotic treatment of the birds and getting approval from state health officials.
At press time, no confirmed cases of the disease in employees or customers had been reported.
In a letter to people who purchased cockatiels or other birds after Oct. 1, PetSmart said, “We don’t believe there is any cause for alarm.”
The company also promised to reimburse veterinary expenses associated with the disease: “If your veterinarian feels it necessary to test your bird for psittacosis, our corporate veterinarians will review your bird’s health records and are authorized to reimburse you reasonable and customary fees associated with testing and treatment of psittacosis.”
Symptoms of the disease in birds include lethargy, eating poorly, weight loss, thick discharge from the eyes or nose, and diarrhea. In humans, they include chills, fever, cough, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. Fatal cases are rare in people. [March 2008 PET AGE]
