I am so very terribly sorry
. May I ask how old Newton is? Was she showing signs of the illness, and if so, for how long? Unfortunately, more and more cases are coming to light, mainly because they are making great strides in learning about the virus, and in fact, just in these past few years, created a blood test to screen for it.
Before getting our Marigold (she came from out of state) I was sent lab results from the breeder that showed she was negative for PDD, but something in me knew she was ill - my husband is a Veterinarian, so the universe tends to send us special animals whom need more help than others, which we thank goodness, can provideā¦ However, we usually know prior to adopting them, but at this point, I kinda expect there to be a health issue even if none were originally indicated.
A few days after getting our sweet Cape Parrot, her pre-booked appointment with the avian veterinarian finally arrived, and I went in feeling good (my husband sees mainly dogs and cats, so he wanted us to use a specialist) about hearing that all was well. However, I already became perturbed when they took her in the back to examine her and draw bloodsā¦ Later, they back to have me sign off of sedating her as they were having trouble placing the needle, which I shakily signed, and over an hour later, they said she was still coming out of it, but sheād be ready soon. I sat in the waiting room for another thirty minutes, when they finally emerged with her - in passing, they mentioned it would have been sooner had she not almost bleed out, so they needed time to apply pressure! I went completely numb, fumbled to pay and we ran out of there.
Fast forward about a long week of waiting for the results, later, and I got the callā¦ Everything was great, BUT they casually she was positive for the virus. My world went dark. I did massive amounts of research, and went into a depression because I was already so in love and attached to Marigoldā¦ She was only four months at the time.
Thankfully, Iāve made lots of ābirdā friends online and in forums, whom have totally supported me, and helped me to see that enjoying each day that sheās here with us is all that I can control. We greet every morning together singing, and end each day that way, too.
Marigold has not had any symptoms thus far, and her new avian veterinarian (who does everything in the exam room with the parent present as thatās how he correctly prefers it) said sheās so health that had I not given him her records, he would have said sheās perfect. Because little is known about this virus, itās hard to say how much time weāll have with her - thereās not enough information, especially on juveniles whom test positive early in life, so she could either be with us another year (she just turned one this month) or many more. He advised to keep doing whatever Iām doing and continue to treat her like a normal bird, although I do omit any stress for her as itās believed to āwakeā the currently dormant virus, and is the most heavily sited study that I can find.
I am totally here for you and Newton, and hope to read your story, too, if youād like to share it. This diagnosis can feel very isolating, so I want you to know you are not alone and reaching out to others who are going through, or had gone through this, is essential for your heart and mental health.
