Polyoma Virus Vaccine....?

[Jag]

Rico and Rayne came to me vaccinated... I got both birds from Petsmart. I did some reading on it online... other than that, I don't have any answers. However, they obviously do vaccinate smaller birds that they may feel are at risk...

[perchingbird]

Yeah. When I took Kit for her "I just got a bird, do a Well Bird exam!" I asked if she should get tested for Polyoma. The vet said if she had it she'd be sick, and just gave her the vaccine. And... her follow-up didn't happen. >< Bad Bird Mom. So I need to decide if I should get her fully vaccinated or not.

I don't fully trust that vet though because I took her in for a well-bird, and he wasn't going to do anything beyond a once-over physical exam. I asked for the bloodwork.

I miss Dr. Burgos. :(

Anyway. Reading one of the articles linked in this post, one vet said that once a bird is past a certain age vaccinating is pointless because the bird isn't going to die from it (barring caiques and such), and that you can't vaccinate conures early enough for it to be useful to them. Then other vets say vaccinate away.

:/

I'd like to be able to take Kit with me to a lot of places (Farmers market, parks, etc), but not if Polyoma is going to be a threat. And I haven't really found clear info on if it is.

[Jag]

Well, I've taken my two previously mentioned all over with me. The biggest threat IMO is going to be bird stores where the birds aren't in an area with seperate ventilation... and my fear with that is more with psitticosis, etc. Taking them outdoors isn't a big fear with me. They've gone to the flea market, just generally outdoors, camping, etc. I do avoid the one Petsmart that has part of the cage not seperated by plastic, and the other petstores that have their birds just out in cages.

You have to follow your gut, though.