Thank you Amelia for all your info. I am sorry to see all that you are going through, and I hope others heed your warnings, and maybe save some birdy lives.
I am curious on what you are using as a disintectant, as I know many of us are nervous about what we can safely use around our birds.
I always, always, always test ALL new birds who come into my home for PBFD, polyoma, and psittacosis. It doesn't matter how healthy they look or how much I trust the breeder that sold them to me. They go right to the avian vet and get tested.
I've had new budgies test positive for PBFD not once, but twice. The first time they came from a bird show, so that I wrote off as "don't buy from bird shows." But the second bird came from a local Petsmart. That freaked me out. They touted their "vet approved" status all over the paperwork and the box they sent her home to me in. Yet when I brought her back and told them about the test, a) they didn't know what PBFD was and b) they didn't care once I explained it to them. Chances are, they probably put her right back in the cage once I left.
I know that babies who test positive for PBFD can go on to fight the disease, and I could've kept testing every 30 days to find out if they had. I know false positives can happen, too. But I decided both times that I couldn't accept the risk to my flock. From what I've read, PBFD can survive without a host for up to 5 years and there's no cleaner proven to effectively kill it - it's one heck of a mess to have in your home. (Bleach can sometimes kill it, Virkon-S can sometimes kill it, but neither is a guarantee.) So I returned them to where they came from.
If it helps anyone any, Avian Biotech does testing for diseases like this. After my last PBFD escapade, I wanted to know if the room was infected. I quarantined her in our office, so I wanted to know if the computer... throw rug... clothing... etc were all safe or not. They mailed me a swab and I ran it all over the whole room, then mailed the swab in. The fee was $25. The results were e-mailed to me and it came back negative, so I knew it was safe to take things out of that room.
And that leads to one other piece of advice that I've learned the hard way, twice - don't quarantine in an area with anything that you care about. If you're not comfortable with the idea of throwing something out, get it out of the room or at least move it as far to the other side of the room as you can. And this includes the table that the cage is on - don't put it on good furniture or a table that you'd be sad to lose. I use these shelves and pop off the top tier, they make great bird cage stands for me. (I quarantine 1-2 budgies in this cage, and while it's longer than the shelf, it still works.) I take the top tier and use it as a short stand, for say putting dishes on next to my computer.
Amelia,
Your post reinforces the importance of quarantine so well the TB Staff has decided to make it into a Sticky. I'm also sending karma your way for sharing this information with everyone. Thank you, again!
Ok wow wasn't expecting that lol, but if it helps even one person it is worth it!
Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollyhock
Thank you Amelia for all your info. I am sorry to see all that you are going through, and I hope others heed your warnings, and maybe save some birdy lives.
I am curious on what you are using as a disintectant, as I know many of us are nervous about what we can safely use around our birds.
I am using F10 SC, I buy it from Scarletts Parrot Essentials, however you may be able to find it near you, it is a veterinary disinfectant.
Expensive but worth it.
If diluted correctly there is nothing to worry about. I am spraying myself with it everyday and I am so far fine lol.
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Originally Posted by Tiimarie
Ugh, what a nightmare!
I always, always, always test ALL new birds who come into my home for PBFD, polyoma, and psittacosis. It doesn't matter how healthy they look or how much I trust the breeder that sold them to me. They go right to the avian vet and get tested.
I've had new budgies test positive for PBFD not once, but twice. The first time they came from a bird show, so that I wrote off as "don't buy from bird shows." But the second bird came from a local Petsmart. That freaked me out. They touted their "vet approved" status all over the paperwork and the box they sent her home to me in. Yet when I brought her back and told them about the test, a) they didn't know what PBFD was and b) they didn't care once I explained it to them. Chances are, they probably put her right back in the cage once I left.
I know that babies who test positive for PBFD can go on to fight the disease, and I could've kept testing every 30 days to find out if they had. I know false positives can happen, too. But I decided both times that I couldn't accept the risk to my flock. From what I've read, PBFD can survive without a host for up to 5 years and there's no cleaner proven to effectively kill it - it's one heck of a mess to have in your home. (Bleach can sometimes kill it, Virkon-S can sometimes kill it, but neither is a guarantee.) So I returned them to where they came from.
If it helps anyone any, Avian Biotech does testing for diseases like this. After my last PBFD escapade, I wanted to know if the room was infected. I quarantined her in our office, so I wanted to know if the computer... throw rug... clothing... etc were all safe or not. They mailed me a swab and I ran it all over the whole room, then mailed the swab in. The fee was $25. The results were e-mailed to me and it came back negative, so I knew it was safe to take things out of that room.
And that leads to one other piece of advice that I've learned the hard way, twice - don't quarantine in an area with anything that you care about. If you're not comfortable with the idea of throwing something out, get it out of the room or at least move it as far to the other side of the room as you can. And this includes the table that the cage is on - don't put it on good furniture or a table that you'd be sad to lose. I use these shelves and pop off the top tier, they make great bird cage stands for me. (I quarantine 1-2 budgies in this cage, and while it's longer than the shelf, it still works.) I take the top tier and use it as a short stand, for say putting dishes on next to my computer.
Yup, I use Avian Biotech, do my Psittacosis with the vets however for same day results.
Will be doing a lot more testing now on all newbies, if Avian Biotech test for it so will I!
Wow. How horrible! I had no idea that psitticosis was still that common. Other problems, yes, but that I've not yet met...or at least I hope I haven't. I'm so glad you caught it before bringing it home; to even imagine the devastation that could have caused among your birds is to frightening to think about.
Also a scary thought is how that pet store acted as a dissemination point for this disease -- people who bought babies infected by proximity to these birds, people who bought baby birds from them, people who handled the macaws, who cleaned up after them and shed aerosolized poop on other people...how far did they spread this disease in the local bird community? Makes me worry about even walking into pet stores, especially the bird ones who board other birds. Who knows what they're bringing in with them? Also, hearing how resistant some diseases can be, I now fear bringing home the used cages I've been buying up and refitting. Yes, I disinfect, then bleach, but I'm not completely trusting that I can clear them. And I just got the nicest little flight cage for just $5, which is now sitting in my back yard waiting for a coat of paint. *sigh*
I hope your story with the little Hahns has happy ending. We're sending prayers, good vibes, positive energy and anything else useful in your direction. And thank you for sharing what you're going through. We who become complacent need a reminder now and again never to ease up on the vigilance in protecting our babies.
__________________ Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And never regret anything that made you smile.
Wow. How horrible! I had no idea that psitticosis was still that common. Other problems, yes, but that I've not yet met...or at least I hope I haven't. I'm so glad you caught it before bringing it home; to even imagine the devastation that could have caused among your birds is to frightening to think about.
Also a scary thought is how that pet store acted as a dissemination point for this disease -- people who bought babies infected by proximity to these birds, people who bought baby birds from them, people who handled the macaws, who cleaned up after them and shed aerosolized poop on other people...how far did they spread this disease in the local bird community? Makes me worry about even walking into pet stores, especially the bird ones who board other birds. Who knows what they're bringing in with them? Also, hearing how resistant some diseases can be, I now fear bringing home the used cages I've been buying up and refitting. Yes, I disinfect, then bleach, but I'm not completely trusting that I can clear them. And I just got the nicest little flight cage for just $5, which is now sitting in my back yard waiting for a coat of paint. *sigh*
I hope your story with the little Hahns has happy ending. We're sending prayers, good vibes, positive energy and anything else useful in your direction. And thank you for sharing what you're going through. We who become complacent need a reminder now and again never to ease up on the vigilance in protecting our babies.
It is a very scary thought, they had them for around 4 years. ANY bird in that time if they were infected when they had them will have a chance of getting it!
All staff members, members of the public who go in there regularly like I used to!
Also, hearing how resistant some diseases can be, I now fear bringing home the used cages I've been buying up and refitting. Yes, I disinfect, then bleach, but I'm not completely trusting that I can clear them.
My first two PBFD budgies lived in a big $100 brand new flight cage. I intended to move the rest of the flock into it when their quarantine was over (bad idea). The thought crossed my mind that I could clean it, put it on Craigslist, and get some of my money back. I'd never in a million years actually do that, but I realized how very possible it was. I'd never buy a used cage, I'd rather pay for a new one and have the peace of mind.
Just thought I'd add to this as well, most of you kow 3 weeks after I got the Hahns I took on another rescue, a Patagonian Conure Charlie, he also came back positive for Psittacosis! The person I got him from was notified as he had birds and I did tell him to contact the person he originally rehomed him to (I was his 4th home in about as many weeks).
Charles however due to his condition had to stay in the house so the two other birds in my house, Rocky and Munchkin are also on treatment as a precaution.
The Hahns have now finished their treatment and will be re-tested in June, Charles and Rockys treatment finishes this Saturday I believe and Munchkins finishes on the 22nd due to a reaction he had to the medication.
I have been told my test kits are finally being sent out from AvianBiotech as I plan to re-test my flock before putting my pairs down to breed, also need to do a DNA on Charles and PBFD on him.
I really want to adopt 2 more budgies but after reading all this threads.. I must say I'm a little scared and hesitant. Since I have 2 at home already one is 6 yrs old and the other around 1-2 years old, both of them are really healthy. So I'm thinking really hard and hoping to make the right decision >.<
I really want to adopt 2 more budgies but after reading all this threads.. I must say I'm a little scared and hesitant. Since I have 2 at home already one is 6 yrs old and the other around 1-2 years old, both of them are really healthy. So I'm thinking really hard and hoping to make the right decision >.<
As long as you quarantine correctly and get the blood work done when you get them you will right away minimise your risk of bringing anything home.
Nothing is 100% fool proof though and there is always going to be a chance. We just have to work with what we are given
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Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And never regret anything that made you smile. 
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