New Young bird vet visit.

In the spring my family and I will be welcoming our young Blue and Gold macaw home, hopefully! My other birds go yearly for their check ups and get their basics done from our avian vet, they are due again in March.

Gram/fecal stains, wellness exam, CBC/chem blood work, ect. All have been 'New Bird' tested for psittacosis, PBFD, Culture and Sensitivity testing, Avian Herpes, and Polyma Virus in the past, though my vet recommended rechecking some every few years as precaution. (You don't want to know what my bill was for all those tests lol thank heaven my vet gave me a discounted rate for my little flock because they went on as a group

The breeder we are getting the Macaw from lives close and has agreed to accompany us to the vets office about a month before our boy comes home to have all his disease testing done, it's what I wanted. If he has anything we'll know and can start treatment.

With his 'new bird' exam he'll get the tests listed above but I've also heard about Borna Virus and Avian Influenza. And I've read about a vaccine?

Would it be a waste to request these other tests? My vet doesn't normally do them unless something comes up in his other tests but I want him to have a clean bill of health, inside and out. I've heard Borna isn't always accurate and most vets don't test for it. I've also been offered to microchip him, but I'm terrified to do it.

With a new bird coming home what do YOU GUYS recommend testing for with what my vet does? He'll get that exam and then my vet recommended another visit after 6 months for another basic exam(like a follow up) to make sure he's still growing right and still looks good.

I've been with this vet for many years with my other exotic pets (rats that I've had in the past) so I know him well. He will also give suggestions but doesn't pressure you into everything. He's the type that is never in a hurry to see you out and will answer anything you ask. So he won't be offended if I ask for additional testing.

Any suggestions? Thank you all!

Your Avian Vet's New Parrot testing is extensive and unless the results show something else underlying in the tests. I do not see a need for the additional couple of tests. The goal is to develop a Base Line for your new Parrot and check for those illness that are more common in your area and time of year.

I strongly recommend Micro Chipping medium to Large Parrot. But not as part of a major examination. There is enough Stress and I prefer Micro Chipping as part of a simple examination.

You're correct about the ABV test. A negative test result doesn't rule out your bird having ABV. I know a vaccine was being worked on, but I haven't heard anything about it being available to the public.

Avian herpes is the same way (if you mean papilloma rather than Pacheco's). Unless you get lucky and the virus is present in the blood sample, you will get a negative. My understanding is this isn't contageous, but passed from parent to chick, so i wouldn't be concerned about a bird with herpes around my flock unless it was going to be in a breeding situation.

My personal most important list is gram stain, CBC, liver and kidney enzymes. I'd consider PBFD for new flock member.

I wouldn't have culture and sensitivity done unless something showed up. That is just to find out what antibiotics work on the bacteria/fungus present.

Just in case you didn't know, you can do Psittacosis test from a choanal swab and save the blood for tests that have to be blood tests. Also less stress for smaller birds!

Thank you!!

Most of that is my fault :/ I can be a paranoid Patty about things. I specifically asked for a few of the original tests. His normal 'New bird' exams are the psittacosis, PBFD, CBC/chem, gram staining....he mentioned the Polyma and Herpes and I just had them done anyway.

Heck, when I had my rats, they would sneeze wrong and off to the vet they went lol. I had one get sick and went downhill so fast I had to put him down. All because at the FIRST sign of his sneeze I didn't get treatment. It was a sad day.

So now I just over worry a bit. We are getting ready to paint a few rooms in the house so even thought I bought Low VOC paint, my birds will be spending 3 days at a friend's with me so we can make sure the air is clean when they come home. :/ but everyone will be safe

I just over worry because it's such a large purchase and I've been waiting so long for this moment I want everything 100%. My birds are just the same. To me these are my kids and they are treated as such. Regular vet visits, regular weight checks, good food, veg/fruit, large cages and play area.... I just get overboard a bit at times lol.

It's good you are vigilant! You are your birds' advocate, they count on you to keep them safe.

Polyoma is helpful if you have young birds in the original flock. It kills pretty quickly. Older birds aren't as susceptible (or maybe not at all), and I was advised that vaccinating an older bird served no purpose. Many baby birds that are in pet stores or are taken to fairs have this vaccine because they are exposed to tons of other birds and their immune systems aren't as strong or developed.

Anyway sounds exciting! Your baby on the way is going to be so lucky to come home with you.

Piasa said:

It's good you are vigilant! You are your birds' advocate, they count on you to keep them safe.

Polyoma is helpful if you have young birds in the original flock. It kills pretty quickly. Older birds aren't as susceptible (or maybe not at all), and I was advised that vaccinating an older bird served no purpose. Many baby birds that are in pet stores or are taken to fairs have this vaccine because they are exposed to tons of other birds and their immune systems aren't as strong or developed.

Anyway sounds exciting! Your baby on the way is going to be so lucky to come home with you.

Click to expand...

Other than the occasional trip to the groomers for wing/nail trim and beak inspection they really don't come in contact with other birds. They each go out in their "outside" cages, which are just travel cages, and sit on the porch with me on nice days. I never leave them alone obviously. My Zon loves sitting in hers after a shower. I usually sit here half on the shade though because of her eyes.

I'm just worried about my original flock. They are all in clear health, and with my Zon being a bit older, I just want to make sure everyone around stays clean.

I know PBFD and psittacosis are the big 2 but I always worry about anything else that can be spread. Though other than my 2 Conures who get along, no one is out at the same time, and I wipe down the play stands with a mix of vinegar and water. The ones with vet wrap get rewrapped once a month, but they are 'species specific. The Zon has her big ones, the Conures have their smaller ones.

Thank you for your help and for the info!!