by MFids on Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:54 pm
I don't think I could tell you any more information about Psittacosis (aka Ornathosis or Parrot Fever or Chalmydia/Chlamydiosis) than what you could find on the internet. With that said, if I recall correctly, someone bought an Orange-Winged Amazon from a petstore, before she was weaned (owner is an experienced handfeeder), and put into quarantine for 30 days. She had a vet checkup 4 days after coming home that said she looked healthy, albiet thin. She wasn't interested in weaning, and after two weeks of being home started acting "off." From this point on she went downhill, and 29 days after being brought home (about 5 months old), she died. Bloodwork that was taken before she died, but the results didn't come in until after she passed, tested her positive for Psittacosis. If you would have looked at this zon's photos the day she came home, you would have never known she was so ill. Her feathers were bright, eyes clear and active, eating healthy...
The point is, even if a bird appears healthy, there's no telling what might be wrong. I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner, been a bit busy with work, the critters, and vet care. I've spent over $200 on a budgie (not even mine, but in my care) this month (over $300 in the time he's been with me). August 1st, he was deemed healthy by my avian vet via a Physical and Fecal. (although I knew he was sick as he's been acting "off" and I tried to explain that to the vet) August 13th, at 5:30am, he suffocated. He had fluid build-up in his crop, which was cleared out on August 10th, and wanted to get it cleared out again on the 13th, but my (new) avian vet was out of town, the second avian vet that saw him was just leaving town that day (getting on a plane when I called in), and I didn't trust my "old" avian vet (who has misdiagnosed one of my birds and to top it off, he's not quite as thorough as the other avian vets, nor is the facility he works at as friendly). I do not have the instruments to do a crop wash, nor the experience, but I could have gotten that if I wasn't in a time restraint on the 10th. So needless to say, I haven't been feeling so well. Now though I'm waiting for the necropsy results, which may take 1-2 weeks before I know, if not longer.
I hope that Lucky makes a full recovery and turns out to be a beautiful bird! And best of luck with your new gal!!!! Although I wouldn't recommend breeding her until she's about 2 years old.
Monica & Fids
"I am willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to learn
from them."
