Looking into new bird.

[Lyndsay]

My 'tiel was put to sleep a few weeks ago by the advice of the vet I was seeing, she suspected a bad case of PDD. I didn't know then, what I know now about the virus. I've disinfected the cage and surrounding areas she was in.

I'm looking into a new bird now, at first I wanted another 'tiel, cause they have such adorable personalities. But I'm having trouble finding one coming from a reputable home. I got my last one hand raised, pellet and seed fed. Tatyana refused to come anywhere close to veggies and fruits.

The birds I've located that someone is trying to sell due to allergies are about as close as I'm getting to finding cockatiel's in my area, without going to a pet store.

The issue I have with this person, is that they have their birds on seed only diet, it's a group of 2 males and one female, he can't type in proper sentences, asks me the same thing worded in different ways in emails and is generally a sketchy person. (I know it's bad way to describe someone, but this person is simply a moron (or sure does present himself to be)). I know it's bad to class someone on their lack of sentence structure and punctuation, but it really shows something about them.

What should I do. On one instance I want to take one of his birds, on the other hand I want to wait to find a local breeder, so that the baby is hand raised and not bonded to other birds. I think it would be unfair to separate the birds.

[chapala]

I'd keep looking! Good luck in your search.

[hollyhawkz]

I agree, keep looking. Don't forget to disinfect everything bird realated in your home. I don't know how long the virus can live for, but better safe than sorry.

[Lyndsay]

Thanks, I haven't a clue how long that virus can live without a host either. I've read 48 hours. But I should really call one of the leading universities and find out, because there is no information (that I've found) that tells me that information.

[hollyhawkz]

That would be nice if it was only 48 hours. I sure hope so! I wish I new more about it too! Let me know!

I think either parvo or distemper (dogs) can live for up to a year!

[Lyndsay]

Things have changed here at home. I was informed that I was not allowed to have another bird. So I've decided to move to Nova Scotia. Where when I have the money for all vet care and such, I will probably just get an Congo African Grey, or perhaps a Macaw.


If parvo lived a year, then how would vet offices be safe for any un-vaccinated dog? Just wondering, there has to be something that can kill the parvo virus.

[Rahni]

I'm pretty sure that all virus's can only survive for up to 48 hrs by themselves, as they are not able to live without a host for any length of time. I guess the question would be whether the virus can live on things like rats and mice or cockroaches etc until it finds a proper host? Either way, if the cage is disinfected it shouldn't be a problem. You may want to replace all wooden perches as an extra precaution, but it should be ok,

[Newticus]

virus's are different then bacteria, because in essence they are not living things, they are particles. These particles have coats and casings to proctect them from drying out or falling apart while waiting for an appropriate host. The amount of time they can survive outside of a host varies, due to coat and casing structure. Some can last a rather long time.
There are disinfectants that do destroy the parvo virus, we used to use them at the pet store I worked at, we have had to change cleaners a few times because after a while the one cleanser doesn't work as well. Parvo is an extreamly aggressive adaptable virus which makes it very hard to combat. Even in the cleanest places it can still survive at times and cause heartbreak.

Melanie