Pet Birds

[Duder]

Does anybody know if having pet birds our ok whilst on ibtrunib treatment because of diseases etc

[BellaBee10]

I've got chickens in my garden. Strictly, they aren't pets but they don't know that.

[Strube in reply to BellaBee10]

Shhhh. Dont tell them Bella. Especially not on their special day

Chicks

[BellaBee10 in reply to Strube]

This is Rita, free at last now avian lockdown has been lifted. She bunked off round the village yesterday then came in for a chat. I didn't know if was possible for me to love one of my chickens as much as I do her.

Chicken

[Strube]

I can't really think of any reason not to Duder. My doc is aware i keep animals and has never seen it as an issue so long as you are sensible. I wear gloves cleaning them out, wash hands etc etc. Usual precautions you would take.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

There is the risk of zoonotic disease spread, such as psittacosis: veterinarypartner.vin.com/d...

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

There is also Histoplasmosis lung disease from breathing in fungus spores found in bird droppings in soil.

It is a caution in regard to our compromised immune systems. If there is a way to have a pet bird's droppings analyzed and the pet in inside and only one? the risk would most likely be less if not nil.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

"Most people with histoplasmosis never develop symptoms and aren't aware they're infected. But for some people — primarily infants and those with compromised immune systems — histoplasmosis can be serious. Treatments are available for even the most severe forms of histoplasmosis."

[Sojomama13]

This is Carlos and Lynda our blue Quaker parrots. My CLL specialist will not let me clean their cage. I mask when I handle them.

[MN1999]

Bug eaters and egg layers. Gotta love that.

[Smakwater]

Duder,

Your individual circumstance is the answer. For example, if you have an overcrowded pigeon coup that receives feral birds on a regular basis, I give it a definite not OK. On the other hand, if you have a single parakeet that is well kept in a properly vented area and it receives adequate regular veterinary care, it is likely that you are not at risk. You and your doctor know your situation best.

Long story regarding bird risk -

I do have a mildly significant past experience with birds including having contracted psittacosis at a time when I was young and healthy. The illness produced a high fever and caused scarring in the lungs. Although I survived it, it was a tight squeeze and very unpleasant, I remember trying to breath with what felt like lungs full of stale water and my conscious came and went for about three days.

Many of these diseases can be deadly even to those who are healthy, and I have lost more than one acquaintance to psittacosis during our experience with birds. In our pest control business a few years back we studied some of the diseases, how the birds were exposed to them, and how efficiently they can spread disease because they are the most individual mobile creatures on the planet. Thus we deemed them "Flying Rats". These flying rats also transport some of the really bad guys or rather insects like ticks that carry lyme spirochetes, and those that harbor hantavirus, west nile, and the likes. Feral birds share quarters with mice-bugs-bats and their feces are their couches.

The histoplasmosis is a huge problem for ground animals also. Histo from bird droppings on hay causes infertility and flu like symptoms in equine. Dogs eat bird droppings and experience the same symptoms, and whether the infection manifests itself in humans, horses, dogs etc.. it is often initially diagnosed incorrectly. This misdiagnosis leads to advanced illness before proper treatment, making for a difficult recovery in many cases. Birds in agriculture are often treated regularly to prevent illness and spread of disease in managed bird populations.

Aussie Neil and cllady01 listed a few of the more common diseases, yet there are quite a few more that birds carry. As I recall we published a list of 72 highly contagious diseases that the feral birds in our area alone carried which we provided to our clients. Our objective was to provide prevention keeping the birds from frequenting and accumulating fecal material in risk areas especially around HVAC intakes that provide breathable air to inside of a building.

Managing bird activity around building air intakes is major concern in large cities and on medical campuses. In these areas it is often regulated by laws requiring strict compliance that guarantees in facility air quality.

Keep the outside bird influence in check by maintaining all air intake filters, ducts, and seals.

And in your case, I bet your doctor says "keep the bird current with the vet", and enjoy your pet!

JM