Dear Friends at Journey North,
Two nights ago on our Statewide News, KTUU, Channel 2 in Anchorage, Alaska we heard a disturbing report about sick cats and sick Red Polls. Since Red Polls have been arriving in Anchorage on their migratory journey an increase in the amount of sick cats have been noted in the Veterinary Clinics in Anchorage. Apparently the sickness is caused by cats eating Red Polls who, somehow, have become infected with what is known as "Songbird Fever."
I spoke with Dr. Dinny Johnson of the Alpine Animal Clinic in Anchorage regarding the situation. She stated that the increase in sick cats began 2 weeks ago. Cats were brought into her the clinic with fevers, diarrhea, vomiting and were lathargic. Dr. Johnson noticed the recently arrived Red Polls that sat in the trees around Anchorage as exhibiting the same signs of sickness. Tissue samples of deceased cats and birds showed that the Red Polls were carrying a salmonella virus. Cats who ate the infected birds also became sick.
Dr. Johnson is not sure if the Red Polls and other songbirds came up to Alaska with the sickness during migration or if they were infected with it here in Anchorage. One suggestion she made was that they may have been eating moldy bird seed.
She suggested that Anchorage residents keep their bird feeders clean as the infected birds can infect the feeder and food for the other birds who feed in the same feeders. Some chickadees and finches have been seen exhibiting the same symptoms as the Red Polls.
To Dr. Johnson's knowledge this may have been happening on the East coast of the United States in 1988.
Red Polls have not arrived in Shageluk in any great numbers. A few were observed to be here 3 days ago. I'm curious to see if "Songbird Fever" appears in Shageluk now.
Oh, on a happier note, 4 Canadian Geese were spotted around the Innoko River near Shageluk today.
According to our traditions in Shageluk, Alaska, spring has officially come to our area.
Now I wait for my favorites......the Sandhill Crane and the Swallows!
Joyanne Hamilton
Innoko River School
Shageluk, Alaska
 |
|
|---|
