Pseudomonas Infection in Waterfowl and Lagomorphs (with notes on Hedgehogs)

Disease Summary

Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Disease Type

Infectious/Non-Infectious Agent associated with the Disease

Infective "Taxa"

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Pseudomonas spp.

Non-infective agents

Physical agents

References

Disease Author

Major References / Reviews

Code and Title List

Other References

Code and Title List

In Lagomorphs:
B601.13.w13, B602.17.w17, B614.8.w8, B615.6.w6
J60.6.w1

Detailed Clinical and Pathological Characteristics

General

Clinical Characteristics

• Respiratory infection/sinusitis: localized upper respiratory tract signs, clear (may become caseous) mucus filling and distending infraorbital sinuses if sinusitis; sometimes dyspnoea (B11.34.w2, B14, B37.x.w1)
• Enteritis: diarrhoea, soiling of feathers around vent, anorexia, weight loss and in young birds stunted growth, ruffled feathers (B11.39.w7).
• Septicaemia: general signs, acute anorexia, weight loss, diarrhoea, dehydration, respiratory signs, death, particularly in neonates (see also: Neonatal Septicaemia in Waterfowl);  (B11.40.w8, B12.55.w1, B13.33.w4).
• Skin infection: may be seen following trauma (B12.55.w1)
• Arthritis: swollen joint and periarticular area (J6.10.w3).

• Moist dermatitis
  • An exudative moist dermatitis involving the dewlap or other areas of skin which get wet. (B601.13.w13, B614.8.w8, B615.6.w6)
  • Affected areas may be discoloured blue-green due to a pyocyanin pigment that  the organism produces. (B614.8.w8)
    • This gives the name "blue fur disease". (B601.13.w13, B614.8.w8B615.6.w6)
• Abscesses 
  • This organism was reported to cause a mandibular abscess in a rabbit. (B614.8.w8)
• Diarrhoea and pneumonia:
  • An outbreak of fulminating pneumonia and diarrhoea in rabbits was associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water supply lines (B614.8.w8)
• Pneumonia. (B602.17.w17)
• Septicaemia. (B602.17.w17, B614.8.w8)

Incubation

Mortality / Morbidity

Pathology

• Respiratory infection: sinusitis, rhinitis and/or laryngitis (B13.33.w4).
• Enteritis: catarrhal or haemorrhagic enteritis, oedema and fibrinous inflammation of the serosa (B13.33.w4, B14).
• Septicaemia: widespread haemorrhages, catarrhal or haemorrhagic enteritis, coalescent necrotic lesions of liver, spleen and kidneys (B13.33.w4, B14).
• Skin infection: oedematous or necrotizing lesions may be seen (B12.55.w1, B13.33.w4).
• Arthritis: lesions of arthritis (caused by various pathogens, including one isolation of Pseudomonas sp.) in ducks were described as enlarged joint, periarticular tissue inflammation, cloudy, fibrino-purulent and sometimes sanguineous joint exudate or dryish yellow-grey exudate, degeneration and necrosis of articular surfaces and variable extension to involve subchondral bone (J6.10.w3).

Histopathology (all areas):

• Small blood vessels affected (venules and arterioles) - severe inflammatory reactions, often with bacteria present within the lumen of the blood vessel, and associated thrombi, haemorrhages and necrosis (B13.33.w4).

Human Health Considerations

• Pseudomonas spp. infections may rarely occur following hedgehog bites or punctures from the spines of hedgehogs. (P23.1999S.w8)

Disease has been reported in either the wild or in captivity in:

Hedgehogs:

• Pseudomonas sp. has been isolated from hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog. (J18.38.w1)

Lagomorphs:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been isolated from rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus - Domestic European rabbit). (B614.8.w8)

Further information on Host species has only been incorporated for  species groups for which a full Wildpro "Health and Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken). Host species with further information available are listed below:

 Host Species List

• Erinaceus europaeus - West European Hedgehog
• Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus - Domestic European rabbit

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this infectious agent)

Disease has been specifically reported in Free-ranging populations of:

Further information on Host species has only been incorporated for  species groups for which a full Wildpro "Health and Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken). Host species with further information available are listed below:

Host Species List

General Information on Environmental Factors/Events and Seasonality

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa thrives in wet environments and multiplies in water; it is frequently found in aquatic environments and can multiply even in cool water (20 degrees centigrade or lower), although multiplication may be faster at higher temperatures (B11.39.w7, B13.33.w4).
• Infections are seen particularly in the summer (B12.55.w1).

Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded

Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded in Free-ranging populations

General Information on Investigation / Diagnosis

• Physical Examination  of Birds - General
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Necropsy of Birds - General
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

Similar Diseases (Differential Diagnosis)

Specific Medical Treatment

Antibiotics

• For moist dermatitis: 
  • Clip and clean the affected area, then apply a topical antiseptic or topical antibiotic. (B601.13.w13, B614.8.w8)
  • Systemic antibiotics may be necessary in severe cases. (B601.13.w13, B614.8.w8)
  • Gentamicin is effective both as a topical and, if required, a systemic antibiotic. (B615.6.w6)

• Treatment and Care - General

General Nursing and Surgical Techniques

• Flushing of the sinus with a solution containing enrofloxacin suggested for sinusitis (B11.34.w2).
• Vitamin A supplementation and addition of potassium permanganate to water suggested as useful adjuncts to treatment of Pseudomonas conjunctivitis in poultry (B32.14.w21).
• Restrict access to other water if antibiotics are being provided in drinking water (B11.39.w7).

• Change the rabbit's environment if required to make sure it stays dry. (B615.6.w6)

• Treatment and Care - General
• Infraorbital Sinus Flushing in Birds

Preventative Measures

WATERFOWL

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Environmental and Population Control Measures

WATERFOWL

• Eliminate Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the rabbit's water source, whether a bowl or a drinking bottle. (B615.6.w6)
• Ensure the rabbit's environment stays dry. (B615.6.w6)

• Keep captive waterfowl away from natural waterbodies with temperatures over 20 degrees centigrade (B12.55.w1, B13.33.w4).
• General reduction of stress and control of other bacterial infections and viral infections may reduce susceptibility (B32.14.w21).

• Preventative Medicine for Birds - General
• Environmental and Population Management - General