Do Birds Need Vaccines?
Photo by Bukef/Shutterstock
Pet birds rarely need routine vaccinations. Unlike cats or dogs, the only common vaccine available for pet birds is the avian polyomavirus (APV) vaccine. But not all birds need it. It all depends on your pet bird’s risk of exposure, according to the vets we spoke to.
Avian polyomavirus is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease affecting birds in captivity—and both young birds and parrots of all types can be especially susceptible to it. However, the vaccine is usually meant for birds in high-risk environments, including breeding or boarding facilities, pet stores, or homes with several birds.
Here’s everything you need to know about bird vaccines, and specifically, the polyomavirus vaccine—including what vets recommend, which parrots need it, and why.
Key Takeaways
- The avian polyomavirus vaccine is the only one widely available for pet birds.
- Avian polyomavirus typically affects young birds, parrots, and caged birds who come in contact with lots of other birds.
- If your pet bird flies solo in your house, it's unlikely they'll need to be vaccinated against avian polyomavirus.
- Environments that are high-risk for avian polyomavirus include pet shops, breeding facilities, and homes with multiple pet birds.
- You should first have your vet test your bird for avian polyomavirus to determine if a vaccination is necessary.
About the Polyomavirus Vaccine
“Birds only need the [polyomavirus vaccine] in certain circumstances,” said Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice), owner and medical director of Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in Bedford Hills, N.Y.
“Polyoma is a virus that we used to see a lot more of, but really the only [parrots] that tend to need it—in my opinion, and I would bet in many avian veterinarians’ opinions—are ones that are breeders or they’re going to be in pet stores around a lot of other birds.”
Larry Nemetz, DVM and owner of The BIRD Clinic in Orange, California, agrees. Though he says that many people come into his clinic asking for the vaccine, he always recommends testing first.
“How do you know a bird isn’t already sick?” he said, “Birds, like people, can carry diseases all the time. And if a bird already has polyoma, the vaccine won’t work.”
Who Needs To Be Vaccinated?
Younger birds, macaws, and caiques are some of the birds that are the most susceptible to polyomavirus, according to Nemetz. But, again, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to vaccinate your bird.
Hess says vaccinate, “If [your bird] going to be exposed to a lot of birds regularly who have unknown health conditions.” But if your bird is sitting in your house alone, she said, “It’s not like they’re going to get polyoma.”
Basically: If you’re going to board your bird, vaccinate. After you test your bird for the polyomavirus, of course. If you plan to bring a new pet bird into your home where other birds already live, you should consider testing the new pet if they are coming from a pet shop, breeding or boarding facility, another home with several birds, or any other high-risk environment.
History of Bird Vaccines
Vaccines were used more back when birds were still being imported into the United States, Nemetz said. However, veterinarians no longer need to vaccinate for two main reasons: birds stopped being imported when the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 passed in the United States, along with the diseases being eradicated.
Which doesn’t mean diseases don’t still pop up now and then, according to Nemetz. “We used to vaccinate against canary pox, but unfortunately the vaccine is no longer produced,” he said. Every summer in California, he sees cases of canary pox in canaries.
FAQs About Bird Vaccines
Which vaccines are commonly available for pet birds?
The avian polyomavirus (APV) vaccine is the only commonly available vaccine for pet birds.
What is the avian polyomavirus?
The avian polyomavirus is a deadly infectious disease often transmitted between caged birds. It affects young birds, parrots, and birds that have a lot of exposure to other birds in places like pet shops, breeding or boarding facilities, and in homes with several birds.
Do I need to vaccinate my pet bird against avian polyomavirus?
You should always test your bird for the virus first before asking your vet to vaccinate your pet bird against avian polyomavirus. This may be a consideration when introducing a new pet bird into your home where other birds already live.
You should vaccinate a pet bird if they are at high risk of exposure to other birds in places like boarding or breeding facilities, a pet shop, or a home with several birds.
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