Professional Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services

If there is one area I am passionate about, it’s in the area of disease control and safety of all our pets. Some people have known me to speak up and out about situations I’ve come across that put unnecessary risk and danger to animals and speak loudly I will. It’s not with intent to offend the human, but rather educate and speak for the animals who can’t speak for themselves.

Today’s article is about the danger in boarding our pet birds and parrots. It appears to me that lately we are seeing a boom in people starting pet care side businesses of their own, ( whether legally registered or not ) but it’s not this that concerns me. What does concern me is the alarming amount of posts and advertisements I am seeing from people and start ups advertising the boarding of birds. This is deeply concerning and must be spoken about , out loud if only to do nothing more then to educate bird owners who might not know the risks involved. It is my assumption that any person or company that advertises the boarding the boarding of birds WITH THE BOARDING OF OTHER BIRDS without a clear plan described on their websites for bird owners that describe their separate air space and disease control set up . They don’t describe it, because it simply doesn’t exist with homes that board other birds in the same air space.

What are the dangers?

The biggest danger you face when you board a bird or parrot in a home which boards other parrots and birds, whether your bird is the only bird in a home at that moment or not…is a high risk of DISEASE exposure. Unlike our cats and dogs, birds can carry many illnesses and diseases that the owner themselves may not be aware their bird has. There are diseases that can be carried in the feather dust of our pet birds called Beak and Feather Disease which is super highly contagious to other birds exposed. One of the deadliest and most insidious diseases is called Proventricular Dilatation Disease. aka PDD, aka Macaw Wasting Disease. This is a disease much like Aids in a bird. We can’t test for it as there is no test, we can’t cure it and it is fatal. In fact it is one of the most horrible disease I’ve ever witnessed in pet birds. Having been involved in the Avian Community and feeling confident to call myself an expert on bird care and knowledge, I have seen, witnessed and dealt with birds with this disease. It should scare you. So here uninformed owners are…innocently taking their bird to another persons home, who may already have birds, and those birds may have been exposed to many other birds of unknown origin or medical histories and exposures. Your feathered friend could easily become exposed to any of the diseases that any of the other birds who are or have been boarded at a particular home. Is it worth it to you?

Disease and The Bird

Birds do not show illness like we do. Birds will hide their symptoms and appearance of not being well so sneakingly, that even the most diligent bird owner will often mistake a day of fluffing up for a day of being sleepy. By the time you do NOTICE or begin to think your bird is ill…….he has already been ill usually for a while before your bird is not longer able to hide his symptoms. Quite often we see birds “crash” at this point depending on the severity of the illness and or exposure. Why put your bird at risk? Knowingly exposing birds to potential disease is considered neglectful behavior. I have written well meaning letters to these home based small pet businesses explaining the risks of what they are doing by offering boarding options for birds. Not 1 person has ever written me back thanking me for the information of husbandry and care , nor acknowledged the risk involved. They still advertise boarding for birds.

Is the risk worth it to you?

What about bird shows? What about at the Vet Office?

I know many of you will ask those questions. Bird Shows were birds are being brought along to meet other owners and their birds is a big no no to me and not recommended by any avian enthusiast. If you know the risks, and if you have ever seen or lost a bird to disease exposure, you’ll understand and it is a shame people take for granted that it will never happen to them. Birds belong in their own home for care, they are safest in their own home away from other birds who have not been properly quarantined. And Vet Offices? Vet offices take all protocoll disease measures when dealing with birds in the vet office. They have highly concentrated disease control solutions which allow for the destruction of viruses on surfaces , floors and in the air after visiting with a bird. Did you know that all good practicing vet offices will only allow 1 bird in the office for that day if it is known a bird may be ill with a contagious and highly infected disease? Any of the vet office that I have ever dealt with have practiced this safe measure. If they do – why on earth would someone offer bird boarding?

Exception To The Rule

With regards to bird boarding. If a facility specializes in bird boarding ( which is more common in the States ), they will have facilitated separate air spaces for the birds. This means, no two birds share the same air space. This is the only sure way of reducing exposure. Do you know of any facility like this?

Common Diseases in Pet Birds and Parrots

Not sure about Avian Diseases and What is common?

Megabacteria – Avian Gastric Yeast

http://www.wingedwisdom.com/ww54eiv.htm

Respiratory Disorder
Chlamydiosis – Parrot Fever ( very common )
Proventricular Dilitation Disease ( common )
Psittacosis ( Very common )
Beak and Feather Disease ( highly contagious )

Quarantine Measures

What is proper Quarantine Measures for birds? If you ever decide to introduce a new bird into your home with your existing bird it is a well known fact that you MUST quarantine your new bird somewhere with separate air space for a min of 90 days to ensure your new bird is without common illness. It is often during this quarantine time we will see any signs of illness or disease in a bird. The only problem with this, is for diseases such as PDD – Birds can be carriers and live with the disease and not show signs for years. I’ve personally know a few of the birds myself so it’s not far out of our community here in Durham Region. If we must quarantine for diseases can be detectable in that amount of time….You can be rest assured when you are boarding your bird in homes where other birds are, or have been, there is no quarantine measure. Is it still worth the risk? Will you take for granted, cross your fingers and just hope it never happens to you and your bird/s? Do you assume this sort of the thing happens every where else but in your town? Is it still worth the risk?

Your pet bird is safest and happiest in his own home. Having a professional who understands birds and knows what to look for with signs of illness when you’re not home to detect it yourself is the best option for your bird and his or her well being. Unlike dogs, our birds do not fair well with changes and always induce stress when being moved into a new environment – which alone while under stress makes him or her more vulnerable to disease!.

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