Polyoma (APV)

Polyomavirus or 'Avian Polyoma Virus' (APV) in parrots and parakeets is a viral disease that mainly affects young birds, but can occur at any age. In budgerigars, the disease is known as 'Budgerigar Fledgling Disease'. Symptoms of polyomavirus infection in parrots can vary. Usually they include sudden death in young birds, swollen abdomen, weight loss, feather loss or malformed feather growth, and lethargy. In adult birds, the infection may be asymptomatic or show only mild symptoms, but the birds may still spread the virus. Under stressful situations, dormant polyoma infections can become active again. Early detection can help control the spread of this potentially deadly virus among parrot populations.

• 4-5 freshly plucked breast feathers
• Blood (capillary)