Can Pet Birds Cause Severe Asthma Attacks?

Belinda: Have you ever heard of cockatiels or lovebirds causing severe asthma attacks?

Dr. Kraemer: Indoor birds have three different ways they can cause lung problems. The first is due to a bird-borne infection. Sometimes infected birds can end up in the homes of pet fanciers. They will infect the household recipients with an organism called chlamydia psittaci, which can cause pneumonia.

The second cause is through a classical allergic sensitivity. The feather and bird dander debris will become airborne in the home and can sensitize an allergic pet fancier. Then, whenever they are in the home, they will have eye, nasal and asthmatic allergic symptoms. This kind of feather allergy can actually cross-react into an allergic reaction to the yolk of chicken eggs. The sensitized feather allergic patients will then demonstrate food allergy symptoms whenever they eat foods with egg yolks.

The third form of lung problem involves the same bird proteins, but uses a different immune mechanism. The symptoms are much more subtle, and usually present as progressive coughing and breathlessness. There may be a fairly profound weight loss. This condition is called bird-fancier’s lung disease. All of these respiratory problems can be serious concerns. The pet fancier needs a skilled doctor to help sort it out. If there is an infection, it will need an antibiotic. If there is an immune allergy or sensitivity to the bird, it will have to be removed from the home.