Dealing with borna virus

Hi all. I got bad news today with the new hawkhead. He tested positive for bornavirus.

I feel really horrid right now. Idk what to do. Mostly because of my other parrot. I feel I should rehome Kimi, but I really don't want to. I mean, who wants a sick bird? He will be started on Celebrex next week. I'm just scared to death for my other parrot. Anyone on here dealing with this crappy virus? Do you have multiple birds? If so, how do you deal?

I am beyond scared. Trying to think positive, but it's hard.

Thank you in advance. I appreciate it.

Can you keep him in a separate room?

They are currently in separate rooms. Was hoping to be able to keep them in the same room, but thats not going to happen now. :/

The vet said they consider any bird in the same house to be positive considering they do not know really how it is transmitted. God i feel so guilty right now for even taking this bird in.

Sorry to hear Kimi is sick!

Never dealt with it myself, but Roudybush may have a diet that may be beneficial to her. I suspect it's rather expensive, too....

Roudybush Direct

Oh No! I am so sorry to hear about Kimi. If they don't know how it is transmitted, I am confused as to why the vet would tell you to consider all your birds infected as well. Did you have Mopar tested? I will pray that Mopar is okay, and that Kimi will recover.

I had mopar tested when i first got him and he was negetive. I guess that really doesn't mean much though. From what i read.

The reason the vet says that is to really just be careful. Typically the other birds will eventually pick it up. However, thats not always true, but usually it is.

She said they have had luck treating it with celebrex, which kimi starts monday. He does not have any of the GI symptoms. Which is good.


Thanks everyone!

Sending healing thoughts to Kimi and hugs to you! I know it's all pear-shaped atm, but just think: if you hadn't brought Kimi home, he'd probably have succumbed to the disease. At least this way he has a fighting chance!

oh gosh, so much of this is floating around right now!...I am so sorry to here this.
thank goodness you had him tested, and you found out now, rather than later, when it may be too late.

I have heard that there are successful treatments for the Bornavirus.

First I want to say how sorry I am to hear this. I lost my first BW to it. I know how it feels. Thankfully, unless the birds are very close and exposed to each other's excrement, crop contents, etc. the virus is said to not be very stable and dies fairly quickly in the environment. Again, I'm so sorry to hear : (

Bornavirus unfortunately IS COMMON and deadly. **I hope no one hates me for saying what I'm going to say** but this (and other common deadly viruses) is WHY I don't rescue rehomes, or even shop at bird marts or even buy bird products in stores unless they are like "my safe bird store .com" and can reasonably guarantee from knowing their sources that the products are virus free. I know it's a risk even to buy a baby bird from a breeder or visit a bird store, but I can't stop doing at least those things. I just think the risk is reduced by being paranoid. Okay, I KNOW I am completely PARANOID. But this sad story and the fact that I've gone through it first hand, and how commonly you hear about it is unfortunately the REASON I feel this way.

I feel what you're saying, RavensGryf. But as for me, I am very careful with my rescues and rehomes, and it is worth it to me to be able to give them a good, forever home
I think everyone needs to make their own decisions about what they are comfortable with, and no one should hate anyone for having a different opinion That's one of the many things that makes the forum wonderful is getting everyone else's perspectives.

Well said Terry We do best the things we believe in with all our heart, and you are the perfect person to do what you do. Bless you for being there to help the beautiful wonderful boys and girls that you have When you believe with heart and soul that the benefits outweigh the risk, then by all means keep up the good work!

Thanks again for all the well-wishes on this. And no hard feelings at all, RavenGryf! That's completely understandable.

I've been thinking about this all night.... obvisiouly. I've been trying to find the latest information concerning the virus, to try to see what's been found out over the past few years. I came across this article, which I found to be interesting. It's basically stating that more reserch needs to be done, as the link between ABV and PDD is not difinitive. They have found that only around 65% of birds with PDD also have ABV; the other 35% are negative. Weird! They also state that any bird who tests positive should be re-tested in 90-days, and just be considered immunocompromised; not necessarily a PDD case. So that being, said... when I go to the vet wednesday, I need her to clarify if this is a case of just ABV or if Kimi, does in fact, have PDD. Since he is not displaying any of the classic PDD symptoms, this is important, and will help me decide on rather keeping him is the right idea. God, I feel terrible.... but I do need to consider the health of Mopar in this decision. :/

Anyways, here's the article:

Proventricular Dilatation Disease and Avian Borna Virus | Avian Avenue Parrot Forum

Sorry is hotlinks are not cool, but it is too long for me to post!

It is quite probable that my GCC has Borna Virus. Starting my little Booboo on Celebrex.
I have parakeets, but they are in another room.

Hoping that the Celebrex makes a difference.

This is do stressful! I've read about the virus but have s hard time understanding, sbd have mixed informed... I have read up to 60% of captive birds can have this and most never develop an active infection that ever makes them sick....I will keep reading, but I'm so sorry... Are the test completely accurate? Is the bird showing symptoms?

Make sure you are using a cleaner that "kills" the virus....I believe f10 SC is one such cleaner when used at appropriate ratios for heavy disinfecting and allowed to sit for the proper duration.



I would be very careful about cross-contamination via clothing etc (if one climbs on your arms etc and then you pick up the other bird after washing hands but wearing the same clothes). I know spread is thought to be oral-fecal, but it is a very murky area full of speculation----the virus was only recently identified and testing is sketchy at best. Positive is positive, but negative doesn't mean a bird doesn't have it.



Your other bird has likely been exposed, but I would be super careful. That having been said, not all exposed birds develop symptoms---in fact, potentially, your other bird could be the origin of the virus because many carriers test negative unless actively shedding the virus and they don't have to ever develop symptoms. Transmission is more likely in younger birds, but can occur in older birds as well. A relatively large percentage of birds carry/transmit the virus asymptotically....This really stinks when you think about boarding/pet-shops etc...
ABV doesn't always progress to PDD, if it is any solace.


I hope that helps and I am sorry you are dealing with this

I hear you!
It is always devestating if the news from the vet is not good


Amazing your vets will even prescribe meds (they don't here afaik).
So many horrorstories about this disease and so few solid facts.