Miscellaneous Laboratory Tests

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Samples for certain special tests must be submitted to other

laboratories for analyses.  Diagnosis of lead poisoning (a common

intoxication of caged birds) requires a specific analysis of the

patient's blood.  Diagnosis of chlamydiosis (parrot fever)

requires submission of feces (or cloacal swabs) or tissue samples

to the State laboratory for very specific testing procedures.

Blood samples can be submitted to other laboratories for

serologic analyses (detection of antibodies to certain disease

agents, such as chlamydiosis).



Viral diseases are difficult to diagnose in caged birds.  Virus

isolation and identification require submission of specific

tissues or body fluids, secretions or excretions, and must be

performed by State laboratories, or laboratories located within

veterinary colleges.  These tests are time-consuming and costly.