Songbird Predation and Potential Risk of Salmonellosis in Household Pets
Salmonella has been known to infect songbirds in the United States during the spring months causing birds to become sick and die. Frequently affected birds include finches (especially the American Goldfinch), and Pine Siskins. Household pets often find, chew on, and/or eat these infected birds putting them potentially at risk for becoming infected with pathogenic strains of Salmonella or exposing their owners to the bacteria. Several practices throughout North Carolina this year have had clients concerned about their pet’s possible exposure to Salmonella through dead or dying songbirds. Recently, Bowman Animal Hospital in Raleigh hospitalized three cats and one dog due to suspected Salmonella infections from contact with sick or dead songbirds.
2009 has been a particularly bad year for salmonellosis in songbirds. Many organizations have been involved in the diagnosis and evaluation of wild bird deaths and the possible transmission of pathogenic Salmonella to pets; however it has been difficult to get a consolidated picture of the problem. Because of this, a group has formed to consolidate and evaluate information about salmonellosis in wild birds, how this may affect pets that come in contact with these birds, and what the best clinical course of action would be for exposed and potentially infected pets. This group includes veterinarians and scientists from several different organizations including Bowman Animal Hospital, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Customer Services Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Piedmont Wildlife Center. We hope to provide information to the veterinary community and continue to investigate the problem.
Background information:
Since January of this year, there have been numerous reports of wild bird mortality events throughout the state (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – wildlife biologists). Many of these reports are in Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch populations. It is suspected that many of these mortality events are associated with Salmonella originating in the Pine Siskin population, but few birds have been evaluated diagnostically. Of the birds that have been evaluated, Salmonella has been isolated. The Salmonella isolates that have been further evaluated have been Group B salmonellas, (a group that has zoonotic potential), and more specifically Salmonella typhimurium. For more information on the clinical disease in wild birds please see the following link for the National Wildlife Health Center.
A bird feed recall was announced in March of this year because Salmonella was isolated in commercial wild bird feed and later at the manufacturing plant of the feed. These isolates were not found to be related to the isolates identified in the wild birds, but rather Group C and G isolates of little known public health importance if any. For more information on the bird food recall see the following link from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Recently, four pets (three cats and one dog) were identified at Bowman Animal Hospital in Raleigh as suspect for salmonellosis based on clinical signs and history of contact with sick or dying American Goldfinches/Pine Siskins. Consistent findings in the cases were high fever and acute onset of illness. Gastrointestinal signs were not present in all cases. Three of the cases were positive on fecal culture for Salmonella and further diagnostic evaluation is ongoing in conjunction with North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.
What to do?
If you are in a region where you know of or have heard about multiple wild bird deaths, educate your clients with outdoor pets. Have them be on the alert for birds that are dead, weak, or acting abnormally. Care should be taken to keep pets from eating or being exposed to sick or dead birds. Outdoor cats are especially at risk. Owners with pets that have suspected exposure should contact your clinic immediately to get more information. Quick response, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate treatment may be necessary to prevent severe illness or disease spread.
Clients with wild bird feeders should adhere to the following recommendations from the National Wildlife Health Center. It is recommended not to clean bird feeders in a location where food is prepared. It is also recommended to wear gloves when handling sick or dead birds or cleaning bird feeders and wash up well afterwards. If a sick or dead bird is found, do not bring the bird indoors and keep the bird away from children or pets.
Please see contact list below for further questions on clinical evaluation of exposed pets or affected wild birds that are found. General information may also be available at the following websites. FAQ lists are under construction for these websites.
Piedmont Wildlife Center
Bowman Animal Hospital
Contacts:
For questions regarding diagnostic evaluation and clinical treatment of pets suspected of salmonellosis after wild bird exposure, please contact either
Dr. Diane Deresienski at Bowman Animal Hospital
(919)-847-0123
or Dr. Sally Bissett or Dr. Steve Marks at North Carolina State University, College of Vet Med
(919)-513-6670
or Emergency Service if after hours
(919)-513-6911
For questions about sick or injured birds or individual dead birds that are found or general wildlife questions, please contact either
Piedmont Wildlife Center
(919)-572-WILD (9453) or
www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org.
or N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission at
(919)-707-0050
http://www.ncwildlife.org/
or Dr. Tahseen Aziz at the
North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture Animal Diagnostic Lab System if you want to have an individual dead wild bird evaluated.
(919) 733-3986
http://www.ncvdl.com/
For questions about multiple dead birds that are found, sampling birds that have been caught by a dog or cat or questions about Salmonella in wild birds, please contact
Dr. Michael Martin at North Carolina State University, College of Vet Med
(919)-513-6330 or cell (919)-218-5143
We would like to necropsy and sample birds from multiple bird die offs or that have been found by pets (especially if those pets are ill), so if possible please collect the birds using disposable gloves into clear Ziploc bags. Wet birds down with a small amount of soapy water and keep cool (not frozen!) until it can be safely delivered to us. Do not keep birds near any areas of food preparation or storage. Wash up well after handling dead birds.
Predatory Salmonellosis Committee
Tahseen Aziz NCDA&CS, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System
H. John Barnes NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine
Sally Bissett NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine
Laurie Degernes NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine
Diane Deresienski Bowman Animal Hospital
Paula Jay NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine
Steven Marks NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine
Leslie Martin Piedmont Wildlife Center
Michael Martin NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine
Sid Thakur NCSU, College of Veterinary Medicine
