E-mail notice April 6, 2009

It has recently been documented that there is an outbreak of Salmonella killing songbirds in the Southeastern United States (http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/03/15/birds0315.html).

In the last 3 weeks, Bowman Animal Hospital has hospitalized three cats and one dog due to suspected Salmonella infection from contact with sick or dead Pine Siskin or Goldfinch songbirds.  It was confirmed by the North Carolina Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory that a dead Goldfinch (which one of the pets had in its mouth) tested positive for a Salmonella isolate belonging to serogroup B.  This serogroup includes serotypes that can infect humans and animals. This is not the same strain of Salmonella found in the birdseed that was recently recalled or the peanut butter sold for human consumption.  For information on the recall see: http://www.agr.state.nc.us/fooddrug/feed/BirdFoodRecallFAQ

Please be on the alert if you see a bird that is weak or acting unusually.  The route of infection is oral so take precautions to keep pets from eating or being exposed to dead birds.  Outdoor cats are especially at risk.  Even a cat that doesn't normally hunt birds would find a dead bird enticing.  If you suspect your pet has had exposure to a sick bird, contact your veterinarian immediately.  Quick treatment with antibiotics and IV fluids can save a life.  

If you find a dead bird:

• Always wear gloves when handling birds or cleaning and refilling feeders.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling birds or feeders, even if gloves were worn.
• Do not bring sick or dead birds indoors at any time.  Dispose of the dead birds in a sealed bag in the trash or bury them.  You may contact Piedmont Wildlife Center for instructions about sick birds.  919-572-WILD  or www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org
• Keep children and pets away from dead birds and bird feeding areas.      
• If there has been human or animal exposure a dead bird can be tested at NCVDLS-Rollins Laboratory (www.ncvdl.com).

For questions about dead wild birds, you may also contact the N.C.
Wildlife Resources Commission at 919-707-0050.

• Take feeders down for a week if you have found dead birds. Disinfect them before putting returning to service.
• Keep feeders clean. Clean feeders outside and not in your kitchen sink.
• Bird feeders should be disinfected at least once a month under normal circumstances and once a week if sick or dead birds have been found. Disinfect feeders by complete immersion in a solution of one part liquid chlorine bleach in nine parts hot water for several minutes. Air dry completely before putting feeders back up.
• Keep the area around and under the feeder clean. Rake up excess spilled seed and when cleaning feeders, pour the leftover cleaning solution onto the spilled-seed areas.
• If possible, provide multiple feeding stations around the yard to disperse bird activity. However, one feeder disinfected regularly is better than several feeders that are not cleaned regularly.
• Move feeders periodically to reduce concentrations of droppings on the ground under feeders.