Bird snot??

[psitticine]

Hi all,

So my Quaker (7 mo) sneezed a few times in a row just now, and I got a little bit of snot splatter on me. She has always sneezed once in a while but this is the first time I’ve noticed mucus. The feathers on her cere are a little wet. She appears to be eating and drinking water like normal. Her weight is also normal. She’s molting, but I’m not sure that would have anything to do with it. She’s a little grumpy today, but ya know… she’s a Quaker. Do I have time to wait a couple days and see if this persists, or should I get her to the vet? Any other tips?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Hi all,

So my Quaker (7 mo) sneezed a few times in a row just now, and I got a little bit of snot splatter on me. She has always sneezed once in a while but this is the first time I’ve noticed mucus. The feathers on her cere are a little wet. She appears to be eating and drinking water like normal. Her weight is also normal. She’s molting, but I’m not sure that would have anything to do with it. She’s a little grumpy today, but ya know… she’s a Quaker. Do I have time to wait a couple days and see if this persists, or should I get her to the vet? Any other tips?

A birdie sized Kleenex? Seriously, from what I've read and from my own experiences you should take your birdie to an avian vet. I don't know if birds catch and recover from "colds" like people do, or if sneezing and mucus could be signs of the avian flu or something else but get him checked out soon.

 

[SailBoat]

Okay, two steps back for a restart.

- Yes, it is very possible that your Parrot is starting with a bit of congestion that 'could' turn into a sinus /Airsack infection. Any continuation, and yes, set-up a visit to your Avian Medical Vet, ASAP!!

- But, if you live in the Great White North, it is very possible that your apartment /home may just as well be suffering from Low Relative Humidity as it is common for the sinus to develop more mucus than normal to add moisture to the incoming air to keep the sinus and airsacks moist and healthy. But, this can be a breeding ground for infections. Use a Relative Humidity device to check your home. You are looking for a 45 to 55% level.

Now, Avian Flu has Over-Wintered in North America in larger hot zones that during any of the prior years. But, since Migrations Season has 'Not Started' unless someone is near a hot zone, the risk of a 'indoor' Companion Parrot getting exposed is very low. When Migration Season begins, yes, more care should be taken.

 

[psitticine]

Okay, two steps back for a restart.

- Yes, it is very possible that your Parrot is starting with a bit of congestion that 'could' turn into a sinus /Airsack infection. Any continuation, and yes, set-up a visit to your Avian Medical Vet, ASAP!!

- But, if you live in the Great White North, it is very possible that your apartment /home may just as well be suffering from Low Relative Humidity as it is common for the sinus to develop more mucus than normal to add moisture to the incoming air to keep the sinus and airsacks moist and healthy. But, this can be a breeding ground for infections. Use a Relative Humidity device to check your home. You are looking for a 45 to 55% level.

Now, Avian Flu has Over-Wintered in North America in larger hot zones that during any of the prior years. But, since Migrations Season has 'Not Started' unless someone is near a hot zone, the risk of a 'indoor' Companion Parrot getting exposed is very low. When Migration Season begins, yes, more care should be taken.

Our house does tend to be very dry. I spray her frequently and offer a plate of water a few times a week. I would do so more often but she’s very fickle about it. I did just offer that and she jumped right in. It occurred to me that if it’s dry and she needs a bath… maybe she’s sneezing at her own feather dust?

I’ve been wanting to get a cool mist(?) humidifier for her and it might just be time.

 

[ravvlet]

Our house does tend to be very dry. I spray her frequently and offer a plate of water a few times a week. I would do so more often but she’s very fickle about it. I did just offer that and she jumped right in. It occurred to me that if it’s dry and she needs a bath… maybe she’s sneezing at her own feather dust?

I’ve been wanting to get a cool mist(?) humidifier for her and it might just be time.

Highly reccomend an evaporative humidifier, we got ours from Aircare. It’s been a life changer!

 

[psitticine]

Highly reccomend an evaporative humidifier, we got ours from Aircare. It’s been a life changer!

Do you know what the model name of yours is?

 

[ravvlet]

Do you know what the model name of yours is?

5D6700! It’s ridiculously simple to use and clean. Only moving part is the fan. We replace filters when they look gross or when it’s been a couple months, whatever happens first. I empty the tank and rinse everything 3x a week. I do a vinegar rinse and a wipe down once a week or so, and have never had any issues.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Okay, two steps back for a restart.

- Yes, it is very possible that your Parrot is starting with a bit of congestion that 'could' turn into a sinus /Airsack infection. Any continuation, and yes, set-up a visit to your Avian Medical Vet, ASAP!!

- But, if you live in the Great White North, it is very possible that your apartment /home may just as well be suffering from Low Relative Humidity as it is common for the sinus to develop more mucus than normal to add moisture to the incoming air to keep the sinus and airsacks moist and healthy. But, this can be a breeding ground for infections. Use a Relative Humidity device to check your home. You are looking for a 45 to 55% level.

Now, Avian Flu has Over-Wintered in North America in larger hot zones that during any of the prior years. But, since Migrations Season has 'Not Started' unless someone is near a hot zone, the risk of a 'indoor' Companion Parrot getting exposed is very low. When Migration Season begins, yes, more care should be taken.

How long should someone wait to get a bird to the CAV if a bird is sneezing with mucus? Correcting humidity problems is very important but, knowing how quickly a sick bird can get sicker, wouldn't the CAV be the first thing to do?
Also, is it possible to bring avian flu virus into your home via chicken eggs? Can there be virus on the shells? Rocky likes scrambled eggs and I give him a small amount a couple times a week because I think its good for him. But not if it can make him sick!

Do you know what the model name of yours is?

I work part time at Lowes and they carry Aircare humidifiers. We sell two models and you need to get one sized for your room. Keep in mind that if you have high ceilings you need to get a bigger unit- square feet alone isn't the only factor. The larger one well sell is about $175 (3.5 gal) and the small one is $125. I would go with the big one unless your room is very small.

 

[ravvlet]

How long should someone wait to get a bird to the CAV if a bird is sneezing with mucus? Correcting humidity problems is very important but, knowing how quickly a sick bird can get sicker, wouldn't the CAV be the first thing to do?
Also, is it possible to bring avian flu virus into your home via chicken eggs? Can there be virus on the shells? Rocky likes scrambled eggs and I give him a small amount a couple times a week because I think its good for him. But not if it can make him sick!

I work part time at Lowes and they carry Aircare humidifiers. We sell two models and you need to get one sized for your room. Keep in mind that if you have high ceilings you need to get a bigger unit- square feet alone isn't the only factor. The larger one well sell is about $175 (3.5 gal) and the small one is $125. I would go with the big one unless your room is very small.

Bird flu

Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious viral illness that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans.

www.nhs.uk

Safety of Eggs During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks

Questions and Answers Regarding the Safety of Eggs During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks

www.fda.gov

I will quote the FDA here:

Yes. The likelihood that eggs from infected poultry are found in the retail market is low and proper storage and preparation further reduce the risk. In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) participated in a joint risk assessment with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to examine the human health impact of HPAI in poultry, shell eggs, and egg products. The risk assessment determined that the risk of humans becoming infected with HPAI through the consumption of contaminated shell eggs is low. For instance, when a case of HPAI is detected in the US, the chance of infected poultry or eggs entering the food chain is low because of the rapid onset of symptoms in poultry as well as the safeguards in place, which include testing of flocks and federal inspection programs.

Scrambled cooks the egg all the way through. Federal flock regulations mean that if a commercial flock has a single bird die, and it tests positive for H5N1, the entire flock is euthanized, and the eggs they were producing don’t go to market. H1N5 kills fast, in a matter of days - so the likelihood of eggs from infected birds ever reaching grocery store shelves is pretty low.

If you feed shells as a calcium supplement, boil them. High temps damage the proteins and nucleic acid.

Survivability of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus in Poultry Faeces at Different Temperatures

Highly pathogenic avian Influenza (HPAI) is an important zoonotic disease and is becoming a great threat to poultry industry. India has experienced continual outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI virus since February, 2006 especially in Eastern India. Survivability ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In this study, they tested feces at 42 C (roughly 107 F) and the virus was undetectable by PCR after about 18 hours. The boiling temp of water is 212, which is significantly higher. It is unlikely to survive at this temperature, but I’m not a scientist and don’t have a study handy, so that is a risk you will have to decide upon yourself.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I

Bird flu

Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious viral illness that spreads among birds. In rare cases, it can affect humans.

www.nhs.uk

Safety of Eggs During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks

Questions and Answers Regarding the Safety of Eggs During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks

www.fda.gov

I will quote the FDA here:



Scrambled cooks the egg all the way through. Federal flock regulations mean that if a commercial flock has a single bird die, and it tests positive for H5N1, the entire flock is euthanized, and the eggs they were producing don’t go to market. H1N5 kills fast, in a matter of days - so the likelihood of eggs from infected birds ever reaching grocery store shelves is pretty low.

If you feed shells as a calcium supplement, boil them. High temps damage the proteins and nucleic acid.

Survivability of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus in Poultry Faeces at Different Temperatures

Highly pathogenic avian Influenza (HPAI) is an important zoonotic disease and is becoming a great threat to poultry industry. India has experienced continual outbreaks of H5N1 HPAI virus since February, 2006 especially in Eastern India. Survivability ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

In this study, they tested feces at 42 C (roughly 107 F) and the virus was undetectable by PCR after about 18 hours. The boiling temp of water is 212, which is significantly higher. It is unlikely to survive at this temperature, but I’m not a scientist and don’t have a study handy, so that is a risk you will have to decide upon yourself.

I don't really worry too much or I'd drive myself nuts but since eggs come out of chickens' vents and the eggs can't be treated with high heat after laying or the egg would partially cook I wonder if virus could be on the surface of the shell, especially if I get my eggs from local people who keep chickens. I want to avoid grocery store eggs because I have issues with the commercial poultry and egg industry.

 

[ravvlet]

They have a lot of options when it comes to grocery eggs now (free range or pasture raised). There are different institutions that verify this info, so not all “pasture” or “free range” eggs are created equal:

What Does Free Range Really Mean? - Greener Choices

“Free range” is one of the most potentially misleading labels because of the discrepancy between what it implies and what is required to make the claim. The

www.greenerchoices.org

However, it is certainly more possible perhaps than it has ever been to purchase ethically sourced eggs commercially.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

They have a lot of options when it comes to grocery eggs now (free range or pasture raised). There are different institutions that verify this info, so not all “pasture” or “free range” eggs are created equal:

What Does Free Range Really Mean? - Greener Choices

“Free range” is one of the most potentially misleading labels because of the discrepancy between what it implies and what is required to make the claim. The

www.greenerchoices.org

However, it is certainly more possible perhaps than it has ever been to purchase ethically sourced eggs commercially.

Thanks for all this valuable information.

 

[SailBoat]

How long should someone wait to get a bird to the CAV if a bird is sneezing with mucus? Correcting humidity problems is very important but, knowing how quickly a sick bird can get sicker, wouldn't the CAV be the first thing to do?
Also, is it possible to bring avian flu virus into your home via chicken eggs? Can there be virus on the shells? Rocky likes scrambled eggs and I give him a small amount a couple times a week because I think its good for him. But not if it can make him sick!

That is a great question as it plays to time of year as in the Summer, this would be a sign to go to the Avian Vet ASAP. With Winter and a dry home, it plays a bit longer because of the issue of low Humidity levels. This week Wednesday, if still an issue, yes on ones way to an Avian Vet.

I admire your concern regarding Avian Flu as it is deadly for Parrots!
IF, one has free roaming chickens, one should be practicing, safe separation, especially if a hot zone is nearby. Your question regarding chicken eggs imply you have chickens and you should be following, safe practices, as outlined by your State Ag Agency. With cooking eggs, in your case, scrambled eggs, there would not be transfer as your Parrot is eating a cooked egg.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

That is a great question as it plays to time of year as in the Summer, this would be a sign to go to the Avian Vet ASAP. With Winter and a dry home, it plays a bit longer because of the issue of low Humidity levels. This week Wednesday, if still an issue, yes on ones way to an Avian Vet.

I admire your concern regarding Avian Flu as it is deadly for Parrots!
IF, one has free roaming chickens, one should be practicing, safe separation, especially if a hot zone is nearby. Your question regarding chicken eggs imply you have chickens and you should be following, safe practices, as outlined by your State Ag Agency. With cooking eggs, in your case, scrambled eggs, there would not be transfer as your Parrot is eating a cooked egg.

I wanted to get a few chickens but won't because of my concern about diseases and parasites but I can get fresh eggs from friends who do.