PLEASE READ: the importance of quarantining & vetting new birds

[FeatherLover]

The Importance of Quarantining & Vetting New Birds
Wrigley’s Story

We brought Wrigley, a female Orange-Winged Amazon, home on October 21, 2006. Before bringing her home, I asked numerous questions, but one of the most important questions I asked was concerning quarantine. How necessary is it? The answer: Absolutely necessary.

We set up Wrigley’s cage in the living room, away from the “bird room.”

I took Wrigley to the vet on October 25th for a check-up. Everything looked good, except she was a little skinny. Her weight had stayed consistent, but she felt thin. (Wrigley had not yet weaned from handfeeding formula, but because I'm experienced in handfeeding, we brought her home anyway, hoping once she acclimated to her new environment, she would begin to wean.)

She was home for another week-and-a-half and showed little interest in weaning. On Monday, November 6th, our nightmare began.

---
MONDAY: November 6
Wrigley seemed to be acting a little "off." I called the vet and took her in for subcutaneous injections. She seemed to perk up a bit.

TUESDAY: November 7
Wrigley was not looking well. Our regular avian vet was not in the office, so we drove her to an emergency avian vet. Her abdomen was swollen and she was lethargic. We were given an anti-inflammatory and more fluids.

WEDNESDAY: November 8
I called my vet and told her my partner and I understand the risks of drawing blood on a bird in Wrigley's condition, but we also understand the risks of not knowing what is wrong with her. Wrigley was anesthetized and x-rays were taken, blood was drawn for testing, and a catheter was inserted into her leg.

THURSDAY: November 9
Blood counts came back. Red count was low and white count was very high. The vet prescribed an antibiotic. I took Wrigley in for fluids through her catheter. It seemed to perk her up.

FRIDAY: November 10
Wrigley turned five months old. We were taking a nap and I woke up in a panic. I looked at Wrigley's hospital cage and she was lying on her stomach with her wings out. I grabbed her, woke up my partner, and called the vet on our way out the door. A few minutes later, she stopped breathing. I pulled the car over and attempted rescue breathing, but she was gone.

When we got to the vet, they were waiting for us, but it was too late.
---

We didn't get the rest of Wrigley's blood test results back until a few days after she died. She tested positive for Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci).

Had we not quarantined her, Togo and RJ would have been exposed as well.

Had we not found a vet, Wrigley would've suffered more. Her first appointment was a check-up. Wrigley had the chance to meet the vet and the vet had a chance to meet her. The vet and I developed an instant rapport, which helped in getting Wrigley there on an emergency basis.

Had I not gone with my gut instincts, Wrigley would've suffered more. My instinct was, something is not right. A person may not be able to pinpoint exactly what is wrong, but we know our fids better than anyone. Birds can go downhill very quickly.

Although we couldn't save Wrigley, we did everything we could, and that included keeping the other birds safe.

PLEASE DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE
OF QUARANTINE AND VET-CHECKS FOR THE SAKE OF ALL YOUR BIRDS.

The following pictures are to illustrate how quickly the health of a seemingly healthy bird can change.

Wrigley's first day at home (10/21):


Wrigley at home in hospital cage (11/8):


Wrigley at the vet (11/9):

[The Outlaw]

Megan:

That is the most generous post I've ever read. Thank you so much. I know you asked me personally about quarantine and I know I drilled it into your head that it was necessary. I'm heartbroken that you lost her, but so proud of you that you did EVERYTHING correctly.

I hope that others will read your post and understand EXACTLY what the risk truly is. We can have adult birds for many years who seem absolutely healthy but when stressed, can shed all kinds of nasty stuff. Babies have very little immunity. And, in your case, your baby CAME with disease. It works both ways.

[Quito's Qage]

I'm so sorry to hear about Wrigley, the poor baby. Thank you for reminding us of the importance of quarantine. Is the breeder stepping up to take any responsibility?

[greyburd]

Megan,

I'm really sorry to hear about Wrigley.

Also..... thank you for posting this. This is a topic that is very important, and too many people don't realize it!

You are in my thoughts!!

[Lynjupiter]

Thank you for sharing your very sad story! Poor Wrigley and poor you!

We went to a bird expo and my kids won a cockatiel from the raffle table. We quarantined also and I was bringing home my new baby cockatoo in a few days. I had the vet come in and check both birds and low and behold. The tiel though it looked healthy tested positive for psittacosis. Thank God I had learned enough at that time to know to quarantine.

The free cockatiel cost us over 200$
Lynda

[Doyle'sMommy]

I am so sorry for your loss. Sounds like you did everything right and tried as hard as you could to save Wrigley, poor little guy. Thank you for this post and reminding us all about the need to quarantine new birds.

[Doubleyolk]

Megan, sorry to hear about Wrigley.

Quarantine & Vet check are the two most important things to keep in mind before bringing a bird into our homes where it will not be the only bird. If it will be a only bird a vet check should be done also.

JMO, When a person visits a Bird Mart or Bird Expo if we don't take the proper precautions when returning to our homes we can introduce these Avian Diseases to our birds. I am not a fan of Expo's because a good deal could cost you allot of money in the end. Again JMO

[Casa Amazona]

Megan, again you've shown your colors. I so much appreciate what you've done in posting your nightmare in order to save others the same heartache. Yours is a perfect example of the reason quarantine is so vitally important -- but also illustrates the need for vigilance when keeping birds. After all, we're responsible for their well being.

You did well and I thank you for this thread.

[StellaBlue]

Megan,

I am so sorry for your loss; it echoes one of my own.

I haven't posted here in a long time; in part because writing about my experience has been too painful.

I purchased Niblet, my green cheek conure baby, from a large chain pet store. Even though I've had birds for many years and just plain KNOW better, Niblet and I fell in love with each other, and I bought him. I have 2 adopted macaws, an adopted mini-macaw, and a pair of older wild-caught timnehs. Our second hand birds are delightful and I love living with them, (pretty much on their terms) but the joy of a cuddly baby just won me over.

His vet check was fine, and he seemed quite healthy, so he went into quarantine. I kept him in a separate part of the house and maintained strict quarantine. New baby was cared for last, washing and clothing changes after handling, etc. I adored the little guy, and he felt the same about me (my husband referred to the entire thing as "mama worship moments" - and it was pretty gooey). I had resolved to quarantine for 90 days, but after 60 days of good health I started to consider bringing him out. He went into his first good molt since fledging, and was molting quite heavily. I know how stressful a first molt can be - maybe even tougher than weaning, so I decided to leave him in quarantine until he was done. We added some extra protein into his diet - eggs and alomnds and raised the temperature a bit in the room to be as supportive as we could. He was cranky but otherwise normally active, good weight, eating like the little piglet we knew.

Fast forward to Columbus Day weekend, the end of his molt. When I got up, he was lethargic, puffy, and wouldn't eat, so I put added a lamp near the cage for heat and got on the phone immediately. It was a holiday weekend, and it took me nearly two hours to locate an emergency avian vet. The poor little bird grew so weak. He STILL wanted to be near me, and crawled up under my chin to snuggle. We finally reached a vet and I said, I'm coming in NOW this cannot wait. I gave my little Niblet to my husband while I fetched my keys. He laid down in my huisband's hands, sighed, and passed away.

My little Niblet died of Avian Polyoma Virus (APV). Thanks to good quarantine and vaccines, my other birds are safe. I want to remind everyone that APV smears only show positive if the bird is actively shedding the virus, and birds can carry it asymptomatically - Niblet was 60 days in quarantine with no signs of illness. Poor baby only got sick when he experienced the stress of 1st molt. He was at such a vulnerable age - old enough to resist initially, but still more vulnerable than an adult bird. Older birds can show no symptoms - and then die so quickly you cannot even get them to the vet.

Of course the pet shop only had a 15 day guarantee, and was not particularly interested in hearing about the little guy. My husband goes to grad school with one of the managers of that shop, and she allowed, confidentially, as to how the corporate office would no longer ship them baby birds because of their huge mortalitiy rate! I was so mad I could SPIT. I have no doubt that other people have had beloved pets die because they purchased from this shop and were not savvy enough to quarantine their new babies.

There was good that came of Niblet's short time with us. I KNOW I made him happier than he would have been if he had stayed at the pet store. He loved me, would shriek for my attention and cuddle and kiss and lie on his back in my hands and play with his feet. He taught me that for all that I love my difficult, demanding rehomed birds, I enjoy having a bird who is a cuddly pet - and it is ok for me to have that in my life. They don't ALL have to be neurotic messes And yes, the importance of a full 90 day quarantine was reinforced, as well as understanding why it is so important not to purchase birds from questionable sources.

I threw out or bleached everything Niblet came into contact with, and scrubbed the room with bleach solution - APV is very stable in the environment, and many commonly used avian disinfectants don't kill it. Chlorine bleach does.

I have a new bird on quarantine now - a funny little 2 year old cherry head conure named Bing. He is NOT my Niblet, but he is funny and awesome and a great pet in his own way. - I'll write more about him later.

Megan, thanks for giving me the strength and inspiration to talk about my recent experience. I share your pain, and I share your concerns.

Regards,

[GlendaNS]

I am so sorry for your loss.