h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Psittacosis - in progress - A581483
Author: Mycroft - U177277

This was originally an entry for a uni project we were working on together, but the project was disbanded, and they asked me to submit the finished entries to PR. This one says "in progress", but it is as it has been for quite a while now, and I think it's quite complete it as is. And the author's not responding to my pleadings, so I went ahead and submitted it for him -- he can always come by and unsubmit it if he really, really wants to. Which I hope he doesn't.

I like this one.


Mikey

Without going into my books which I am too tired to at the moment it seems a fairly ok article.

"Definitive diagnoses of Avian Chlamydiosis are exceptionally difficult and birds often reject or have adverse reactions to feed treated with antibiotics which frequently results in an insufficient dosage."

Faeces collected over a 3-5 day period can be cultured for the bacterium combined with a blood test which can can be taken by an avian specialist vet that will measure the antibody and antigen levels with results in less than 7 days. Treatment is best administered in vet hospital (due to reasons mentioned above) by crop feeding the antibiotic with additional multivitamin injections and fluid therapy (ie a bird equivalent of an intravenous drip) if needed, due to the malnutrition and dehydration that is usually present by the time sick birds get presented for treatment. At least 3 weeks treatment is needed ( i think - but i would check on that last bit or ignore it).

This may not be relevant but I would say it is not that hard now to diagnose it in birds due to the recent improvement in tests available and providing you combine all 3 tests - faeces culture, antibody and antigen levels.


Mort

PS I hate nursing birds with it cos they are always grumpy and bite

oh meant to add that since they are often anorectic (not anorexic!!!!) they wont take the medicated seed anyway and they wont get correct dose.
(A more common way now is to add antibiotic to water, but since they not drinking its just as bad! Off on a tangent -I know)

Mort

Seems OK - I seem to recall something to do with town pigeons and this disease, but other than that











How long before someone makes the sick as joke ?

yep pigeons are highly infected with it which is why pigeon poo is classed as harzardous waste.In areas such as under bridges where pigeons congregate and there is alot of faeces, before clearing it up, council workers spray it first with a disinfectant and then return a day later to shovel it up wearing masks.

Another bit of useless info from me

Mort

Not useless for me! my housemate was asked to clean some up at work last night, he was very pleased to know that...

If it was a small amount - prob not a problem but its large amounts of old stuff, it gets very dustyu when its dry so easily inhaled. Next time your friend is asked to clear it up tell him to say of course once they provide the correct strength protection mask!

Any more thoughts anyone?

What do people think? Should this one be shuffled off to the flea market? Or is it close enough to finished that what's here in the PR thread could be added in by a handy sub-editor?

I lean towards the latter, but I may be biased....

Fraid I really don't know enough about the subject to say one way or the other

I'd be okay subbing this, as it is, I'm not sure what other subs think though, and it's not a topic I'm an expert on.

i think it is ok, providing the changes about diagnosis etc in birds was changed as i mentioned in a previous post (post 2)

I am far too busy at the moment to do any polishing off etc, but think it is a worthy entry (in my humble opinion)

Mort

OK. I think we'll take it and send a note to the sub to incorporate posting 2.

Your Guide Entry has just been picked from Peer Review by one of our Scouts, and is now heading off into the Editorial Process, which ends with publication in the Edited Guide. We've therefore moved this Review Conversation out of Peer Review and to the entry itself.

If you'd like to know what happens now, check out the page on 'What Happens after your Entry has been Recommended?' at EditedGuide-Process. We hope this explains everything.

Thanks for contributing to the Edited Guide!

Hurray (been waiting with anticipation on this one!!

Woo hoo!

Well done