Psittacosis disinfecting - John?

[leah9798]

I had posted earlier about my amazon being sick when he was given to me. Well after 4 different vets and many many tests including 4 different psittacosis tests (3 which came back negative and one that came back borderline) and an xray of an enlarged spleen. He is being treated for Psittacosis along with all my other birds just in case, I'm still skeptical about it but the Doxy is making his WBC go down finally so I guess it's working .

Even though the amazon was kept in a seperate room(husband's office) one of my other birds started showing respiratory symptoms also. She will only let my husband touch her and he admits that he may have played with the amazon and then her without washing his hands. So thats why they are all being treated and she's the one that tested borderline not the amazon.

Anyway, This is my second time treating for this in my house and John I think I remember that you have treated for this also in the past. The first time my vet but the fear of death in me and I threw everything away, every toy, perch, playstands everything. The specialist I am going to now seems more lenient about it. So, do you think its necessary to throw everything away again. I have 8 birds so it's costly, countless toys, rope perches, rings, toy parts,boings etc. Is there a way I can safely disinfect leather, cloth or wood? or would it just be best to throw everything away again and start over. I have Pet Focus here too. Ugh! Just looking for some opinions, Thanks!

[Winged_Victory]

The best disinfectant for birds is Virkon S. We use all three here at our house as well as GSE for cleaning cages. I like the Virkon but it is caustic like clorox. I sending you a link and you can make up your mind. Cavacide is great for counters and perches but does not have the Power of Virkon or Avicine.

http://www.avitec.com/disinf.html#Cavicide

http://www.bird-x.com/products/virkons.html

Gary

[leah9798]

Thank you Gary I appreciate it very much, I'm going to go read now.

Originally Posted by Winged_Victory

The best disinfectant for birds is Virkon S. We use all three here at our house as well as GSE for cleaning cages. I like the Virkon but it is caustic like clorox. I sending you a link and you can make up your mind. Cavacide is great for counters and perches but does not have the Power of Virkon or Avicine.

http://www.avitec.com/disinf.html#Cavicide

http://www.bird-x.com/products/virkons.html

Gary

[leah9798]

Gary, I just wanted to ask a question about your post, you said the Virkon is like clorox? it seems everything I have read so far says it is completely safe around all animals including fish and vegetation and can even be used in the air and on food dishes and toys. It sounds wonderful but I'm concerned about you mentioning that, can you tell me alittle more about it being caustic?


Thanks!

[Winged_Victory]

Originally Posted by leah9798

Gary, I just wanted to ask a question about your post, you said the Virkon is like clorox? it seems everything I have read so far says it is completely safe around all animals including fish and vegetation and can even be used in the air and on food dishes and toys. It sounds wonderful but I'm concerned about you mentioning that, can you tell me alittle more about it being caustic?


Thanks!

I found this link too:

http://www.webtowork.com/pet-stuff/virkon.htm

It is safe but you have to rinse good. What I meant is clorox eats at the metal and cage paint when you use it all the time. The reason it is doing this is it is doing an extra good job of cleaning. It makes bare metal rust faster! I believe Virkon S is the best cleaner out there but is harder to use than ones you do not have to rinse. For what you are wanting I would use the best and rinse good.

Use a brush and scrup your cages in the product you choose, let it set as recommended by the maker and then pressure wash. You can always rent a small pressure washer at home depot. You want to get the solution in all the cracks and openings in the cage. I'm only suggesting the pressure washer to make sure you get everthing extras clean. Use the pressure washer on low pressure or even a garder hose with a good nozzle. The Virkon solution will kill everything but you have to let it stay in contact with the cage the commened time.

You may be able to find Virkon or Avacine at a local feed store or farm supply store.

Gary

[leah9798]

Thank you! I didn't know home depot rented pressure washers either. Thats a great idea!

[Winged_Victory]

Leah,

For piece of mind you might want to do a phone consultation with Brian Speer or his partner. Brian Speer is in California but he will consult with you over the phone. What will ask is that you send all the birds records to him by fax before the consultation. Just maybe something else is going on with your bird that is not life threatening.

Brain Speer is one of the top rated avian vets in the nation.

Gary

[The Outlaw]

I also use the Virkon S anytime a boarder bird comes and goes. It was the only disinfectant recognized by California Fish and Wildlife to disinfect against West Nile Virus.

Its costly, but certainly your birds are worth it. I would take ALL perches and feeding utensils outside and scrub them well with the Virkon S mixture. I think it has to sit for at least 20 minutes to be effective and then you really have to rinse it off very well. That's one of the reasons I don't use it more often.

[leah9798]

Thank you Gary, that is something I will definitely look into. Honestly, I have my doubts that this is what is going on but just in case I guess. and the Doxy is working well except they are still sneezing and after 2 weeks of treatment I would think that should have stopped by now. All of my birds have been acting completely fine this whole time, eating, playing talking except for the sneezing and high WBC in the amazon and sneezing and enlarged spleen in the Pionus and after 4 different vets and running test after test. Ugh! I just don't know. Does he have a website? This is a specialist now and the only one in my county and as far as tests I don't even know what could possibly be left.

The first time I went through this was with my tiels and 2 of them were literaaly on deaths door and fast from first showing symptoms. It just doesnt seem the same but I guess it could be. Thank you!!!! Leah

[leah9798]

Thank you Nancy, I've decided to just buy new perches but something like that would be great for the toys and food bowls. Thank you and yes they are definitely worth it!!!