Bringing your new Bird Home

The importance of quarantine when bringing home a new bird can not be emphasized enough if you have other birds in your home.   This is to not only protect your existing birds, but your new bird.  To “quarantine”  a bird they need to be placed in an area of your home with no shared air space of existing birds in your flock for a period of 30-60 days.  To read more on the importance of quarantine,  view  Why Quarantine by Jean Pattison at  http://www.beautyofbirds.com/quarantine.html

During this period of time feed and service all your existing flock first.  Thoroughly scrub your hands and then service your new bird(s).  Do not share food or water bowls, toys, etc. between birds.  After servicing your new bird(s), do a complete hand scrub again (including under your finger  nails to ensure nothing is left under your nails).  It is an excellent suggestion to wear a smock when servicing  new birds and before leaving their quarters remove your smock and clean your feet.   We personally have a hospital smock we use.   

We personally test all  new birds for what is commonly called the “4 “P’s”.  This is done by our vet which involves taking a sample of their blood in a vile and sending to Health Gene Corporation.  Results are normally back to us within 5 days. If your bird(s) have not been DNA for sexing and you wish them tested, have this done at the same time

The 4 “P’s” 

Referenced from Health Gene Corporation

 www.healthgene.com

 

Pacheco's disease is caused by a herpesvirus. The disease is dreaded by aviculturalists because it is very devastating and often fatal. It was first recognized in Brazil when birds started dying several days after becoming ill. Macaws, amazons, african greys, cockatoos, budgies, cockatiels and conures are some of the species that can be infected. Patagonian and Nanday conures are frequently asymptomatic carriers. Any bird that survives an outbreak should be considered a "latent" carrier of the virus. Infected birds may die suddenly or show nonspecific signs such as lethargy, anorexia, ruffled feathers, sinusitis and intermittent diarrhea. Urates may become green, indicating that liver damage has occurred. The first sign of a problem often occurs when a seemingly "healthy" carrier bird is introduced into a collection and birds start to die suddenly. Any type of stress (e.g., breeding) can activate the virus and result in its being shed in large numbers in the feces. The incubation period is thought to be as short as several days in some of the smaller parrots.

 PCR (DNA) test for Pacheco's Disease virus. The assay is so sensitive that even a single virus particle can be detected. Positive result confirms infection.

 

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is a chronic disease characterized by feather dystrophy and loss, beak deformity and ultimately, death. The cause of PBFD is a newly discovered virus in the family Circoviridae. The disease probably originated in Australia and spread to other continents as a result of the shipment of birds for the pet bird trade. The disease has been reported in Australia, North America, Europe and Asia. Most species of parrots are susceptible to the virus however the species most commonly affected are cockatoos, African Grey Parrots, Eclectus Parrots and Lovebirds. The first clinically detectable sign of PBFD is the appearance of necrotic, abnormally formed feathers. Generally, PBFD is a disease of young birds (up to 3 years of age) however, it has been reported in birds over 20 years old that have been clinically normal most of their life. The virus is spread from hen to the egg, hen to chicks being parent raised, and inhalation or ingestion of infected feather dust or feces. Viral particles in feather dust or dried feces can easily spread on clothing, nest materials, feeding formula or feeding utensils, nets, bird carriers, food dishes and air currents. The virus particles can remain viable in the environment for months, long after the infected bird is gone. Many birds infected with PBFD die with in 6-12 months of onset of clinical signs, however, some birds have been known to survive 10-15 years. Death usually occurs from secondary bacterial, fungal, parasitic, chlamydial, or viral infections.

PBFD should be suspected in any bird that shows progressive feather loss and abnormal feather development; however, one can not determine that a bird is infected with the virus just by examination of the feathers. Other disease processes can result in feathers with a similar appearance. Any factor that disrupts the blood supply to the developing feather, including trauma; bacterial or fungal infection of the feather follicles; other viral infections; malnutrition; hormone reactions; and some drug reactions, can cause feather changes similar to those seen with PBFD. Identical feather lesions to those caused by PBFD can be produced by pinching developing feathers at or near the level of the pulp cap. On the other hand, birds can carry the virus in their blood but have perfectly normal feathers. Until recently, the primary method of diagnosing PBFD was the demonstration of viral particles in the cells of the feather follicle and/or shaft. This required a surgical biopsy of the affected feather and its associated follicle. Since PBFD virus does not affect all feathers at the same time, this test could give a false negative result if the tissue sampled did not contain the virus. A more recent test, PCR analysis, tests for the presence of PBFD virus in the bird’s blood. This is the only effective method available for detecting the PBFD virus in a bird before feather lesions are present. The test only requires a small amount of blood. Some birds may become infected with the virus, test positive, remain infected but never show clinical signs. Other birds, become infected, test positive, fight off the infection and subsequently test negative. Therefore, it is recommended to retest any PBFD positive bird 90 days after the initial test. If positive on the second sampling, the bird is considered permanently infected and is expected to manifest clinical disease. A negative sample does not prove that a bird is free of the virus because an incubation period of up to 4 weeks may be necessary before virus can be detected in the blood. Since the virus survives in the environment, the DNA probe can also be used to test samples of feces and/or feather dust taken from the surfaces in the environment.

Chlamydophila psittaci infections in exotic birds represent a very common clinical problem. Signs range from acute devastating disease to poor feathering. Various estimates have been made as to the incidence of chlamydial carriers. In exotic birds, infection rates are said to vary from 10-90% overall, with infection rates approaching 100% in some closely held collections. When looking at the percentage of the exotic bird population found to be infected, only a small percentage show overt clinical evidence of illness based on physical exam, radiography, and hematologic assessment. Some of the carriers may remain in that state for years with little or no clinical problems and it is these birds that are contagious to cagemates and people. Carriers without clinical signs may also be suffering from chronic low-grade hepatopathies. Chlamydophila psittaci is one of the most prevalent infections in aviculture and species of this genus can infect other animals and humans. Outbreaks of psitticosis can quickly spread through an entire aviary with devastating results. A retrospective study (Fudge, Proc. AAV 1992) showed that the shedding rate (antigen positive) is highest in young birds. After that time, many birds quit shedding and remain infected. Long-term effects of chlamydial infections can be multi-systemic, including afflictions such as liver disease.

 Serological methods are currently available. Unfortunately, a significant number of ill and healthy carrier birds do not make a measurable antibody which is especially true with cockatiels, budgerigars, and young parrots. Cell culture methods are technically difficult and expensive, with a long turnaround time. The PCR assay is now available to specifically detect Chlamydophila psittaci DNA in avian blood and feces samples. The sensitivity was found to be between 60-600 fg of chlamydial DNA, which is approximately 6 to 60 organisms per sample. Positive result confirms Chlamydia psittaci infection.

 Avian polyomavirus (formerly budgerigar fledgling disease virus or papovavirus) infection is caused by a 40-50-nm-diameter virus containing double-stranded DNA genome. It has a woldwide distribution and is one of the most significant pathogens of caged birds. Polyomavirus is highly infectious and may be able to infect most, if not all, of the parrot species, although most infections are unapparent. Disease predominates in nested macaws, conures, eclectus parrots, ring-necked parrots, lovebirds, and budgerigars and has been infrequently documented in other species. Disease in adult birds is rare and may require a simultaneous infection with the Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Virus.

Viremia may develop as soon as 9 days in the budgerigar but may take as long as 2 weeks in other species. Soon after the development of viremia, virus can be detected in cloacal swabs. In nonbudgerigar parrats, the correlation between blood and cloacal viral DNA is complex. In cockatoos and conures, blood viral DNA was consistently present, whereas cloacal viral DNA was only intermittently present in some birds. Nestlings of most parrots shed virus for up to 16 weeks, whereas adult birds may shed virus for only 6 weeks or less.
Based on the most resent studies, HealthGene recommends the following testing procedures. For screening individual birds without a history, PCR analysis of the blood should be done. If the bird is positive and an adult, it should be re-tested in 4 to 6 weeks. If it is a juvenile bird, it should be re-tested in 12 to 16 weeks. If the bird is negative on the blood second test, an additional test should be done on a cloacal swab to make certain that it is no longer shedding virus in the droppings. If nestlings or adult birds have a known exposure to polyomavirus, immediate testing of these birds generally shows that the birds are infected and actively shedding the virus. Rather than spend the client’s money at this point, it will be more meaningful to wait 12 to 16 weeks after exposure and use the PCR assay for blood and cloacal swab.
One concern is the possibility that after vaccination birds might be transiently positive by blood PCR with viral DNA from the vaccination. Preliminary trials have shown that viral DNA is not present in the blood of birds after vaccination for polyomavirus. Veterinarians must therefore conclude that if a bird’s blood is positive by PCR, regardless of whether it is vaccinated, it is infected with polyomavirus and is most likely shedding the virus.

 

Flourish
Flourish is a blend of natural herbal ingredients that help to stimulate the bird's immune system, attack disease causing organisms and create a good environment in the gut for beneficial bacteria. Flourish can be used as a regular preventative or to support the bird's natural defences during times of illness.

BioPlus
Multi-strain probiotic with garlic extract, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and glucose polymers. Restores and refreshes beneficial gut bacteria and conditions the gut to make it more favourable for friendly bacteria.  Used twice a week, it ensures a healthy gut flora and helps improve the bird's resistance to gut infections.

Guardian Angel
Probably the most advance "sick bird product" for over a decade.
Combines unique ingredients that assist the immune system to act quickly and effectively when the bird is invaded by any infections germs. Supported with probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, electrolytes and the renowned Birdcare Energy System

Feast Eggfood
Feast is the first ever eggfood to contain a prebiotic. Prebiotics are natural substances that help create a good environment for the friendly bacteria and, at the same time, make it a less attractive place for nasty germs like protozoa and disease causing bacteria.  As well as this, Feast also contains natural immunomodulators that maximise the effect of the bird's natural immune system all of which combine to help reduce the risk of young chicks succumbing to disease.
Feast has a 16% protein level and contains a comprehensive range of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
 

 

U. S. Measurements to Metric (Liquid)

1 Teaspoon = 5 Milliliters, 5 cc or 1/3 (0.33) of a Tablespoon
1 Tablespoon = 15 Milliliters, 3 Teaspoons, or ½ Fluid Ounce
2 Tablespoons = 30 Milliliters, 1 Fluid Ounce, or 6 Teaspoons
8 Tablespoons = 120 Milliliters, ½ Cup, or 4 Fluid Ounces
16 Tablespoons = 240 Milliliters, 240 cc, or 1 Cup
¼ Cup = 4 Tablespoons, 12 Teaspoons, or 60 Milliliters
½ Cup = 8 Tablespoons, 24 Teaspoons, or 120 Milliliters
2 Pints = 1 Quart, .95 of a Liter, or 950 Milliliters
1 Quart = ¼ of a Gallon, .95 of a Liter, or 950 Milliliters
4 Quarts = 1 Gallon, 3.8 of a Liter, or 3,800 cc's

U.S. Measurements to Metric (Dry)

 

14 Grams = ½ Ounce
28 Grams = 1 Ounce
112 Grams = 4 Ounce
100 Grams = 3.5 Ounces
250 Grams = 8.75 Ounces
454 Grams = 16 Ounces or 1 Lb.
500 Grams = 1.1 Pound
1 Kilogram = 2.2 Pounds
1 Pinch = 1/16 of a Teaspoon or 0.01 of an Ounce
1 Dash = 1/8 of a Teaspoon or 0.02 of an Ounce