With spring, we think of birds chirping and flowers blooming, but for some, it's a tough season due to severe pollen allergies. So, do our feathered friends suffer from allergies to pollen? Are their symptoms similar to humans?
Yes, birds can have allergic reactions, categorized into four types:
- Type I Hypersensitivity (IH): Immediate reactions within seconds to 30 minutes, including conjunctivitis, runny nose, and gastroenteritis.
- Type II Hypersensitivity: Cytotoxic reactions, reported in birds as autoimmune skin diseases, hemolytic anemia, non-pyogenic myocarditis, and autoimmune thyroiditis.
- Type III Immune Complex Hypersensitivity: Mainly from viral, parasitic, bacterial, or systemic antigens, leading to kidney damage.
- Type IV Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity: Local allergic reactions appearing 24 hours after exposure, like inflammatory pneumonia in parrots, showing as difficulty breathing, exercise intolerance, and cyanosis of facial skin.
Pet owners can reduce allergic reactions by ensuring ventilation, regularly cleaning cages, and maintaining stable temperatures. If a bird shows severe allergic reactions, consulting a veterinarian promptly is crucial.