Diagnosed with Bird Lung Disease

Hi all,

It's been awhile since I've posted on the forum, I don't really check in anymore as all of my questions and concerns were answered and I've been busy.
Well this week I was diagnosed with Bird Lung Disease
This means I have to find a new home for my Russell , tears as I type this post.
I just really wanted to check in and thank all on the forum who have given me excellent advice to help me best parront I can be.
Particularly AD, your advice is always on point, honest and I enjoy your sense of humour that comes along with it.
Many others as well.
I am posting in this forum as this is extremely hard on me and I really don't know how I'm going to cope without my baby.
He brings me so much joy and entertainment as I'm sure other Grey guardians will attest to.

Take care everyone and enjoy your birds to the fullest

April

Oh April, I was in tears when reading your post, and still am I am so sorry to hear this sad news.
I feel your heartache, must be so difficult. I don't even know what to say !!!!!!!
I did not know that a human can get Bird Lung Disease OMG
You are so correct when saying "enjoy your birds to the fullest"
I know you will place Russell, in a happy safe home, where he will be given all the love, joy and attention that you gave him.
It's been our privilege having you on the forum, please stay in touch.
Love
Antoinette & Mishka

I am so sorry! It's odd as my husband and I were talking about it earlier. I have a cold that I can't seem to shake...Again, I am sorry April...

April, I'm so sorry that you have to part with your best buddy; I can't imagine how sad you must be right now.

Remember how much he made you smile, how he made you laugh. Never let the bad thoughts overpower the good ones.

Wishing you all the best!

Samantha

Yes April we will sure miss you. I know this will put a hole in your heart for giving up Russell, hopefully to someone who can send you pics and keep you updated. I would take him but we live in two different countries. This lung disease usually only happens to multiple bird owners and you only have 1 bird. Are you sure of the diagnosis? Were you able to get a second opinion? Please take care of yourself and know that we care.

Oh, I'm so sorry! I can only imagine what you're going through. Health reasons of the original family are the reason we got Popcorn the U2.

I'm sure you'll find the right family to take over the care of Russell. Like SB said, maybe you'll be able to keep in touch.

Is your doctor 100% sure it's definitely Hypersensitivity pneumonitis? Were you tested for other allergens? Were you treated in any way?

I don't mean to be nosy but I've done a lot of research about this condition and I've never heard or read of anybody getting it from just one bird (it's bird breeders, rescuers and bird store keepers that get it). I mean, the disease is caused by the repeated and long term inhalation of a lot of organic dust (in this case, birds' dander) which causes the lungs to become hypersensitized to it. Lungs with prior problems (like any form of COPD, for example) are at higher risk, of course, but I have had asthma for almost forty years and I don't have a problem even though I have a lot of birds (and that's why I have done so much research about this condition).

I strongly urge you to explore other options before you rehome your beloved companion because a single bird's dander shouldn't cause this reaction and, if it does, it's VERY easy to control, all you have to do is eliminate the dust (bathing him every day and having a good air purifier next to his cage would do the trick).

I don't know much about the disease but I agree 100% with Birdamor to look into it further. I have heard many times over the years doctors tell people to get rid of animals for various reasons when really it isn't necessary...... I sencerely hope this is one of those times.

I agree, look into it further. I know a breeder with this condition. He still breeds. He has a suspended flight area. I will research for you.

Birdamor might be right, look into it. I'm not sure what the disease is, but if it's something that might pass, why not let a friend hold onto Russell? If not, I'm so sorry, it's quite heartbreaking to part with a pet you spent most of your days giving love and care to it. Wish you the best of luck with whatever life brings!

Hi all,

Well I went for a 2nd opinion, that one came back negative so I am scheduled to go for a 3rd and final at the Hospital for Sick Kids here in Toronto in 3 weeks. I pray that comes back as negative as well. The Doctor who gave the 2nd opinion said he believes that my Asthma is further developing.

Anyone ever heard of anyone being misdiagnosed with this disease?

April

I'm not particularly well read on this condition in particular, but misdiagnoses in general are rampant in our current medical fields.

I don't mean to 'poo-poo' the entire field: most doctors are quite careful and will check and recheck any tests that could be really important. But if a doctor isn't a pet owner or animal lover they may not realize what they are asking when they say to get rid of your bird.

A vast majority of medical tests have quite a high false positive rate. This is necessary evil of having tests that never (or very rarely) miss a condition - the tests are like smoke detectors that will go off if someone sneezes to hard. They'll catch every instance of the disease, but they'll catch lots of other things too.

In cases where a positive test result is life-changing (i.e. HIV, cancer) they will generally run it two three or even more times to be sure before they tell the patient about it. But if it is a less serious diagnosis it is easy for a non-pet-lover doctor to figure 'eh, why rerun the tests, the cure is easy: get rid of the bird.'

Again I don't mean to sound to critical of the medical profession, but one needs to know what test results really mean. Many doctors don't take the time to really explain such things.

I pray for you the second opinion was the correct one. So glad you decided to go for it. As far as any professional nursing advice I tell you to take charge of your health and do not let the medical people push you around on this or any other topic. If we control our health ourselves and not say "yes doc whatever you say" we are generally much better off. Hope I have not offended anyone here.

We are keeping you in our prayers, and praying it comes back negative.
I second what SB and AD have mentioned.
God Bless

antoinette said:

We are keeping you in our prayers, and praying it comes back negative.
I second what SB and AD have mentioned.
God Bless

Click to expand...

I third it.... keep us posted

I fourth it, I will be praying the test is negative.

Good post AD, totally agree

OK so I found out today that my appointment set for next week for the 3rd opinion has been postponed until the end of September So I've decided to cancel it all together. In my heart of hearts I know the 2nd opinion was correct and my asthma has been getting worse, not good but better than having an incurable disease in it's chronic form.
I just have to find my triggers, we have new neighbors who smoke in the back yard and the smoke travels into our house, we live in a townhouse complex so I have neighbors on both sides and they are very close. Ever since they moved in I have been finding it harder to breathe, in addition to that the complex has been doing major reno's and the air is not the best. Luckily we are moving September 1st to a fully detached house so other peoples smoke won't bother me.
I will be purchasing a warm mist humidifier for the area near Russells cage, his vet said it would help a little with his dander from his dry itchy skin. Poor little guy, he's sitting over there sleeping looking so cute, I can't believe I was ready to accept the 1st diagnosis and get rid of my beautiful boy!

He had his checkup today so I had them test his calcium level because of his head twitch, I know Greys are susceptible to calcium deficiency so I wanted to rule it out and yep he's fine. Vet deems it to be a "Grey" thing. He's totally healthy, he was especially impressed with Russell's plumage so I'm really happy right now.

Gotta go take a puff of me inhaler, neighbors are out and with company!

Sorry for the long post, just thought I'd share

That's excellent news! That just goes to show that not every diagnosis is right! Congrats on being able to keep Russel!

I'm am SOOO glad you looked into it further. In Australia - particularly Sydney asthma is rampant. We have many experts in this field, I'm not sure if you already have but seeing a spe******t may really help. Hey..... Spe******t didn't fill with stars!!!

Congratulations

Mel said:

Hey..... Spe******t didn't fill with stars!!!

Click to expand...

According to my computer Mel, it did. Why does it do that?