PLEASE READ: the importance of quarantining & vetting new birds

[Nazir's]

Originally Posted by CALVINS MOM

When was your last booster? If you do not have a booster annually, the vaccination is not effective.

Iris is only 5-6 months old. He was vaccinated a little over a month ago. His breeder vaccinates everyone prior to them ever being brought out into the public. I was provided with his PolyomaVirus vaccination certificate.

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by Nazir's

Iris is only 5-6 months old. He was vacinated a little over a month ago.

I guess I am just not a fan of bird shows. If Iris is that young, his immune system is still very fragile.... My vote would be to leave him home. Sorry! :(

[Nazir's]

Why be sorry? That's what I asked for, your opinion. The rest is up to me.

BTW: I responded to your e-mail.

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by Nazir's

Why be sorry? That's what I asked for, your opinion. The rest is up to me.

BTW: I responded to your e-mail.

Okay - will check it out. Thanks!

[Lisa B]

I have to agree....I wouldnt bring any of mine to a bird show. Tests have been done at several shows with swabs and to find out every disease known to parrots is present at the shows.
Its better to be safe than sorry. I know too many who ended up sorry.


what I was able to dig up:

Early detection and quarantine of infectious diseases helps prevent the devastating effects that a bacterial, fungal, parasitic or viral outbreak can cause. At risk are most aviaries, nurseries, bird shows, quarantine stations, brokers, zoos, medical facilities and bird hospitals. In addition, people working at or visiting these places can become infected and spread the disease to other locations.

Don’t Haul Disease Home.

Taking some of your birds to a fair or exhibition? Keep those birds separated from the rest of your flock and watch them for at least 2 weeks after the event to ensure that they didn’t pick up a disease.
New birds should be kept separate from your flock for at least 30 days before putting them with the rest of your birds. To prevent disease, it is best not to mix young and old birds or birds from different species or different sources.

[Nazir's]

Yeah, I read that study too. It went into more details about when, where, and what they tested for. The crazy part was that they did not swab areas where birds were being handled and still found positive test results--almost 100% of the time. Yep, I read it!

I got Iris from this guy and so far, so good. My vet says the same but I will not argue with the fact that I "may" have just been fortunate. I do trust his breeder though. Him and I built a relationship years before I ever decided to actaully bring a feathered baby home.

[Xray Susie]

Is it ok to buy toys/supplies at bird marts?

[Macaaaw]

Bird shows are dangerous? If that is true, how much more dangerous is a bird vet visit where daily (hourly) doses of cleaners has built up resistances to all kinds of super bugs and people are bringing sick birds and other animals in all day long.

More people and pets get sick in hospitals than they do in malls and pet shows.

Want to stay well, stay out of hospitals.

My 2 cents.

[Deb76]

Bird marts are extremely dangerous as you have all different species, all different breeders that are all in close proximity to one another. Then you have tons of people walking around touching babies, and then touching supplies and toys. There are usually adult breeders, babies that are still being handfed and there is tons of noise and activity all which adds to alot of stress to the birds which in turns lowers their immune system. I have also read and heard that at many bird marts the vendors come in the night before and leave their birds and supplies all together in a locked building which means the birds have quite a bit of time spent together. You have birds out on playstands that are pooping on the floor and then people walk through that and spread it around the entire bird mart. Unfortunately some people don't quarantine like they should and breeders trade birds with one another and the birds are then exposed to tons of others which means the chance of disease is very, very high. If we buy a bird from a bird mart it is quarantined at a friend's or family member's house that doesn't have any other birds for a minimum of 90 days. The bird is completely checked for all diseases and also has a routine exam also. Any toys purchased at bird marts are completely washed and shoes are left outside, clothes are changed in the garage and showers are taken before ever going into our "bird room" Yes I believe vet's offices can also be a source of disease problems but unfortunately to get birds checked and get meds needed it's sometimes necessary whereas going to bird marts and exposing your birds to many others is generally not. Many bird marts around the county have been checked and swabbed to see if any diseases are lurking and they tested a pen sitting on a registration table for a raffle of some sort and that single pen had psittacosis, beak and feather disease and polyoma virus on it which also means basically everything in that bird mart building including toys, cages, etc was most likely also infected. My motto do what you can to minimize contact with other birds and items and quarantine and vet check and be very strict about it and don't only wait a week or two and say the bird looks fine, the risk is just too high. Best wishes!

[JavaJoy01]

I know i should quarantine new birds and I will be honest I never have. Hubby and I have a small (Aka Starter) home and we only have one bird safe room. Any other room would put them in danger of the dogs and the cat. I do think about it and know I'm supposed to do it, just don't know where I would place the new baby. Our last addition did go to the vet and got all the tests and the follow ps, but the new Macaw has not. We got him right during the holidays and the avian vet was closed. I keep reminding hubby (even today) that Sammy needs the healthy bird tests and to get him in.

I'm sorry about every bodies loss, I know all to well the feeling. That first vet visit is very important as is the follow ups. Even thou I'm stupid and don't separate the new birds, as posted in the thread, it's very important.