Rescues and Sick Birds???

[pionusplace]

What happens to a bird, generally speaking, if it has tested positive for one of the avian viruses like Borna or PBFD? Do you know if rescues will accept them? My research shows the rescues asking health questions, but I can't figure out the end results of this. Are these birds refused? I know the health of the general flock needs to be protected, but just because a bird is sick doesn't exclude it from needing help to... I believe it would qualify as a bird in more need than a healthy one. Are there special aviaries set aside to deal with the sick ones?

 

[itzjbean]

Generally speaking, sick birds will be quarantined for several weeks or however long depending on the illness. They'll be housed in a separate room (usually) in their own cage or carrier if they don't have much mobility, so they cannot get exposed to other diseases/other birds don't become sick. I'm not sure what the protocol is when rescues accept these sick birds, though. Some rescues may not have the means to care for a sick bird that needs lots of medication/vet visits, while others are more prepared and are able.

 

[SilverSage]

Well it depends a lot on the illness. A bird with a simple infection may be accepted and quarantined, but in general most rescues CANNOT accept birds with highly contagious, incurable viral diseases. It would be cruel to the other birds to put them at such a huge risk, not to mention the fact that most rescues are terribly low on funds. Rescues may exist who are able to take on these expenses, but in most cases these birds will be humanely euthanized just like any other pet brought into a rescue with an incurable deadly medical condition.


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[SilverSage]

Also; I was just thinking "wow this has come up twice in two days!" Then I looked at your username; I think we just had this conversation on the phone


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[SailBoat]

What happens to a bird, generally speaking, if it has tested positive for one of the avian viruses like Borna or PBFD? Do you know if rescues will accept them? My research shows the rescues asking health questions, but I can't figure out the end results of this. Are these birds refused? I know the health of the general flock needs to be protected, but just because a bird is sick doesn't exclude it from needing help to... I believe it would qualify as a bird in more need than a healthy one. Are there special aviaries set aside to deal with the sick ones?

Welcome to the Parrot Forums.

I must admit that I am confused by your question /statements regarding Rescues 'having to' accepting Sick Parrots.

Do you have such a Parrot? Or, this this just some social statement that you believe in, or what exactly?

I hope you understand that the vast majority of Rescues are run by caring individuals that are as a standard: understaffed, underfunded and more commonly have a list of Parrots that individuals want to drop (unload) on them.

The two example virus based illnesses that you listed are both deadly and expensive to treat and to clean to accepted standards after an infected Parrot(s) have so occupied the room, home, or facility. Cost that go far beyond the funds available. In addition, once the word gets out that Rescue has been so infected, rarely will anyone what to go anywhere near it or them.

Using the two viruses that you presented: It would be one sick individual that would want to dump a Parrot sick with either virus on another individual or organization. If that individual's poor care resulted in either of those illnesses, it is that persons responsibility to undertake the costs and 'long effort' to first provide Avian Vet Care and themselves care for that sick Parrot. Plus cover costs and long effort in clean up the contaminated cage, room and home!

Troll?

 

[SilverSage]

I don't think this is a troll, or a person looking to pawn off a sick parrot. I guess the way I read it was more of a question of what happens to sick birds who do have terrible owners or whose owners have died, etc.


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[SailBoat]

I don't think this is a troll, or a person looking to pawn off a sick parrot. I guess the way I read it was more of a question of what happens to sick birds who do have terrible owners or whose owners have died, etc.
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You have always been a kinder individual than I.

Personally, I'm reading a social statement: Others must pay to clean-up after this or than person. Personal responsibility has disappeared.

 

[SilverSage]

Oh I'm. It kinder than you; I have literally had to be told to chill or leave by our amazing admin team.

This is a genuine concern and I've thought about it myself. Usually rescues are full birds already suffering from lack of human responsibility in the first place.

One thing I forgot to mention is that some birds in this position might be best sent to research programs currently working on cures, treatments, and preventions for their specific conditions.



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[pionusplace]

I do recognize that lovely BHP in your profile picture.

 

[pionusplace]

What happens to a bird, generally speaking, if it has tested positive for one of the avian viruses like Borna or PBFD? Do you know if rescues will accept them? My research shows the rescues asking health questions, but I can't figure out the end results of this. Are these birds refused? I know the health of the general flock needs to be protected, but just because a bird is sick doesn't exclude it from needing help to... I believe it would qualify as a bird in more need than a healthy one. Are there special aviaries set aside to deal with the sick ones?

Welcome to the Parrot Forums.

I must admit that I am confused by your question /statements regarding Rescues 'having to' accepting Sick Parrots.

Do you have such a Parrot? Or, this this just some social statement that you believe in, or what exactly?

I hope you understand that the vast majority of Rescues are run by caring individuals that are as a standard: understaffed, underfunded and more commonly have a list of Parrots that individuals want to drop (unload) on them.

The two example virus based illnesses that you listed are both deadly and expensive to treat and to clean to accepted standards after an infected Parrot(s) have so occupied the room, home, or facility. Cost that go far beyond the funds available. In addition, once the word gets out that Rescue has been so infected, rarely will anyone what to go anywhere near it or them.

Using the two viruses that you presented: It would be one sick individual that would want to dump a Parrot sick with either virus on another individual or organization. If that individual's poor care resulted in either of those illnesses, it is that persons responsibility to undertake the costs and 'long effort' to first provide Avian Vet Care and themselves care for that sick Parrot. Plus cover costs and long effort in clean up the contaminated cage, room and home!

Troll?

No. I am not a troll. I am asking as a legitimate question. This has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I am thinking of starting a parrot rescue when my husband retires in 4-5 years. In my research, I have seen references to needing birds tested before they enter a rescue. I also know about quarantine procedures. But... if birds "need" to be tested that means that there are birds out there that will fail this test. While, I have no bird who is ill, I know that they exist. If a person's poor care of the bird caused the illness, then I would doubt they'd be willing to care for them with the extra expense of the medical bills. Even if someone's bird were sick and that bird was loved, there are still real life reasons why a person would want / need to relinquish the parrot. If we estimate that most of the birds currently in rescues are healthy because of the risk and cost to care for unhealthy birds, then there are many unhealthy birds out there that are not getting the care they need or love. It is not the fault of the bird to have one of these terminal illnesses.

I asked this question in three places today. This forum, a facebook group, and I directly emailed a rescue. I wanted to get a broad perspective of the issue and how it is currently being addressed. I have learned a bit more today, which is good, including that fact that there are very few places that will accept and care for these birds. Maybe instead of trying to start a normal rescue, I should look into creating a parrot hospice facility.

 

[SilverSage]

I love that idea! Would you mind sharing what you have learned specifically?


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[SailBoat]

[/quote]

No. I am not a troll. I am asking as a legitimate question. This has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I am thinking of starting a parrot rescue when my husband retires in 4-5 years. In my research, I have seen references to needing birds tested before they enter a rescue. I also know about quarantine procedures. But... if birds "need" to be tested that means that there are birds out there that will fail this test. While, I have no bird who is ill, I know that they exist. If a person's poor care of the bird caused the illness, then I would doubt they'd be willing to care for them with the extra expense of the medical bills. Even if someone's bird were sick and that bird was loved, there are still real life reasons why a person would want / need to relinquish the parrot. If we estimate that most of the birds currently in rescues are healthy because of the risk and cost to care for unhealthy birds, then there are many unhealthy birds out there that are not getting the care they need or love. It is not the fault of the bird to have one of these terminal illnesses.

I asked this question in three places today. This forum, a facebook group, and I directly emailed a rescue. I wanted to get a broad perspective of the issue and how it is currently being addressed. I have learned a bit more today, which is good, including that fact that there are very few places that will accept and care for these birds. Maybe instead of trying to start a normal rescue, I should look into creating a parrot hospice facility.[/QUOTE]

When depth is added, the likelihood of getting well defined answers is enhanced. If you compare your original Post with this one, there is foundation, direction and reasoning.

We home very special Amazons. Most are seriously ill, injured, miss treated and all of them have little reason to ever trust another Human.

The venture is very expensive, requires being on first name bases with not only an Avian Vet, but also the overnight Support Techs that meet you at the door at very early hours of the morning. It is also heartbreaking work, because you will loose them far too early!

You will be limited as to just how many you can care for at any given time. You pray a great deal and hope that you are not faced with a really serious illness, not because of the time or cost, but that you will be fully shut-down until you are certified clean. That can take months of exhausting work and retest, after retest, after retest! All the while, you cannot visit with or see friends or family. Once you receive a clean status, it can be years before some of your friends will come back, some never will!

We limit ourselves to only one at a time! It may seem hard hearted until you are forced to put down several sweet Parrots, because of the illness of one, which you will also see pass very quickly.

Clarity begets Charity! Reality can be a very bitter friend! Yes, there are those wonderful moments when you see and feel the return love! But, you are faced with days, maybe months with them and if you are truly lucky, every now and than, maybe years.

 

[Kentuckienne]

We adopted our Gus from a rescue. They take in birds and quarantine them, and get them all to the vet, and many seem to have infections and need treatment. I think usually there are some fosters who can keep a sick bird so it doesn't transmit illness to the others in the rescue. I know they spent more money on Gus's vet bills than we paid for an adoption donation, and they routinely get medical care for their birds until they have a clean bill of health and get adopted out. It does limit how many birds they can take in. I've been thinking of something along the same lines...some way to contribute to the welfare of an unwanted parrot's life..but operating a rescue isn't in my cards at the moment. It's like running an orphanage: in addition to financial issues, location issues, there must be a human to give the actual care. Almost like the arrangement needs a separate income/human stream, like a rescue/assisted living home, or rescue/vet school... I hope you will keep coming back and letting us all know what you discover.

 

[GaleriaGila]

*watching and hoping and waiting*

Wow... a parrot hospice... wow...

I would think there is a need for that. What a brave person that would take...

 

[pionusplace]

No. I am not a troll. I am asking as a legitimate question. This has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I am thinking of starting a parrot rescue when my husband retires in 4-5 years. In my research, I have seen references to needing birds tested before they enter a rescue. I also know about quarantine procedures. But... if birds "need" to be tested that means that there are birds out there that will fail this test. While, I have no bird who is ill, I know that they exist. If a person's poor care of the bird caused the illness, then I would doubt they'd be willing to care for them with the extra expense of the medical bills. Even if someone's bird were sick and that bird was loved, there are still real life reasons why a person would want / need to relinquish the parrot. If we estimate that most of the birds currently in rescues are healthy because of the risk and cost to care for unhealthy birds, then there are many unhealthy birds out there that are not getting the care they need or love. It is not the fault of the bird to have one of these terminal illnesses.

I asked this question in three places today. This forum, a facebook group, and I directly emailed a rescue. I wanted to get a broad perspective of the issue and how it is currently being addressed. I have learned a bit more today, which is good, including that fact that there are very few places that will accept and care for these birds. Maybe instead of trying to start a normal rescue, I should look into creating a parrot hospice facility.[/QUOTE]

When depth is added, the likelihood of getting well defined answers is enhanced. If you compare your original Post with this one, there is foundation, direction and reasoning.

We home very special Amazons. Most are seriously ill, injured, miss treated and all of them have little reason to ever trust another Human.

The venture is very expensive, requires being on first name bases with not only an Avian Vet, but also the overnight Support Techs that meet you at the door at very early hours of the morning. It is also heartbreaking work, because you will loose them far too early!

You will be limited as to just how many you can care for at any given time. You pray a great deal and hope that you are not faced with a really serious illness, not because of the time or cost, but that you will be fully shut-down until you are certified clean. That can take months of exhausting work and retest, after retest, after retest! All the while, you cannot visit with or see friends or family. Once you receive a clean status, it can be years before some of your friends will come back, some never will!

We limit ourselves to only one at a time! It may seem hard hearted until you are forced to put down several sweet Parrots, because of the illness of one, which you will also see pass very quickly.

Clarity begets Charity! Reality can be a very bitter friend! Yes, there are those wonderful moments when you see and feel the return love! But, you are faced with days, maybe months with them and if you are truly lucky, every now and than, maybe years.[/QUOTE]

Sailboat... you said "but that you will be fully shut-down until you are certified clean. That can take months of exhausting work and retest, after retest, after retest! All the while, you cannot visit with or see friends or family." can you expound on this? I know that PBFD is horrible to clean up after... but who would shut down the facility? The CDC, health dept, etc? ...info so I can direct my research to understand this better. How does that limit "my" exposure to family and friends?

My hubby worked as a vet tech on what he refers to as a "monkey farm" where they cared for clean and infected animals... please don't judge for this... it was a job and provided experience for him but he didn't do any of the testing on them or have any control in that area....but the example for guidelines for the quarantine protocol between the two areas... if proper protection is put in place... planning it and building it for a specific purpose. I have no personal experience with this, only my husband, but he does explain that it is a very serious matter. It'd be about getting the proper resources materials and people to support it.

I do thank the group in general for offering real information, advice, and support on this. It may not be something that I can do, but I am sincerely looking for ways to help the parrots brought into the human world and under our care to have the best life and care as possible. I know that one person cannot fix everything, but, if we work together, we can make a difference.

 

[SailBoat]

Sailboat... you said "but that you will be fully shut-down until you are certified clean. That can take months of exhausting work and retest, after retest, after retest! All the while, you cannot visit with or see friends or family." can you expound on this? I know that PBFD is horrible to clean up after... but who would shut down the facility? The CDC, health dept, etc? ...info so I can direct my research to understand this better. How does that limit "my" exposure to family and friends?

My hubby worked as a vet tech on what he refers to as a "monkey farm" where they cared for clean and infected animals... please don't judge for this... it was a job and provided experience for him but he didn't do any of the testing on them or have any control in that area....but the example for guidelines for the quarantine protocol between the two areas... if proper protection is put in place... planning it and building it for a specific purpose. I have no personal experience with this, only my husband, but he does explain that it is a very serious matter. It'd be about getting the proper resources materials and people to support it.

I do thank the group in general for offering real information, advice, and support on this. It may not be something that I can do, but I am sincerely looking for ways to help the parrots brought into the human world and under our care to have the best life and care as possible. I know that one person cannot fix everything, but, if we work together, we can make a difference.[/QUOTE]



First, please have a discussion with your Certified Avian Vet (CAV) regarding your interests. They can direct you to very specific sites that you should in fact be getting your information from in place of the general Web.

You also need to be aware of what your CAV and their Clinic can and cannot do to support you. Like 24/7/365 access, contact information 'off' hours', on-site equipment, etc, etc, etc...

You should also talk with their Accounts Manager as you will likely be faced with some huge costs from time to time and/or you left your method of payment home during that 3 am rush for services.

Second, as to your question above, ask what your CAV /Clinic must report to their Local and State Agents. Note: Any Death at your 'Organization' must be seen by your CAV / Clinic to determine the cause of death!

Commonly, the 'Local Health Organization' after connect from either you or your CAV /Clinic, will complete an on-site testing and until the test results are obtained, they will close your operation. They are also the ones that complete the post tests and will notify you when you are clean. NOTE: If you know you have a issue; CALL THEM YOURSELF! Yes, your CAV / Clinic with call, but your up-front and at each step of the process 'Full Cooperation' will get you huge support and recommendations on what is required and what you need to properly do! If you make yourself a 'pain in their bottoms' they will return the favor in Spades!

Third, If you are planning to do 'you put the name here' and your plans are to have multiple Parrots on-site, whether for end of life care and/or return to health care, plus rehome those healthy Parrots. You should strongly looking at obtaining a 'Not For Profit' and a State Corporation status. This will provide you a limited shield, likely some discounts of supplies and legally accepting contributions.

Enjoy!

 

[EllenD]

Oh I'm. It kinder than you; I have literally had to be told to chill or leave by our amazing admin team.

This is a genuine concern and I've thought about it myself. Usually rescues are full birds already suffering from lack of human responsibility in the first place.

One thing I forgot to mention is that some birds in this position might be best sent to research programs currently working on cures, treatments, and preventions for their specific conditions.



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I'll admit that selfishly I'm glad i'm not the only member to have that talk with the admin team ...

As far as this question, the rescue that I've volunteered at for years accepts all animals no matter what their condition, but we have a cooperative with a local exotics vet clinic that pretty much covers anything that donations do not. Sick animals, if contagious, are always quarantined, and usually if it's something potentially fatal as you mentioned, we try to get the animal into a capable foster home quickly that will take over all care. But my answer officially is that it varies from rescue to rescue and shelter to shelter.

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[Susan1]

I bought my bird from the Gabriel Foundation in Elizabeth, CO, first rate, great care.

 

[CarlosMommy]

I can tell you that in Wisconsin, there is nowhere for seriously ill birds to go. My beloved macaw was just diagnosed with gout which is basically a symptom of the underlying problem which is renal failure. I am absolutely devastated and have tried every rescue who CLAIMS to take in seriously ill birds in my state, and most didn't even take the time to reply to me. The one and only one (out of the 6 I contacted) said they just aren't set up for a bird with long term medical needs, not to mention the cost of the meds he will need to be on the rest of his life (for the gout). So we are spending his last days together (I took a month off work) doing all the things he loves most. My life and my home will never be the same without him. A parrot hospice of sorts is something that is VERY needed in Wisconsin, and I am sure other states face the same issues.