Bornavirus (ABV), and Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD)

[kme3388]

I wanted to do a post about Bornavirus (ABV), and Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD). Nico my Ekkie has been diagnosed with ABV. From what I've gathered there are parrots that are prone to getting ABV, and it has to do with their species (the Eclectus, and Macaw are more susceptible to getting ABV, and showing symptoms then other parrots). ABV is very common in captive parrots, and most will never show symptoms or be effected. I am under the impression that ABV can be managed by a vet, and with the proper care a parrot with ABV can live a long life just like any other parrot. PDD on the other hand is deadly unfortunately. It's a wasting disease. ABV can lead to PDD, but it doesn't always do so. This is just some of the stuff I've learned through multiple resources sense I adopted Nico. Please do correct, or add on if someone has more knowledge.

What do others know of ABV, and PDD? Does anyone know of anything that helps parrots with these challenging diseases?

 

[BirdyBee]

Have you read this post?

How to live with PDD - specifically for ekkie

My first post on this forum was a year ago. I was planning to get a bird, so I came to ask the 101 question - what to expect. The answers I received were very helpful, but they didn't prepare me for what was about to happen. My 12 year old ekkie (now probably 13) was diagnosed with PDD...

www.parrotforums.com

@shinyuankuo has an eclectus with PDD but they last used the forum in 2021..

 

[kme3388]

Have you read this post?

How to live with PDD - specifically for ekkie

My first post on this forum was a year ago. I was planning to get a bird, so I came to ask the 101 question - what to expect. The answers I received were very helpful, but they didn't prepare me for what was about to happen. My 12 year old ekkie (now probably 13) was diagnosed with PDD...

www.parrotforums.com

@shinyuankuo has an eclectus with PDD but they last used the forum in 2021..

I wanted to do a post about ABV because there really isn't much information on here about it. I am hoping to learn some from others that have had experience with it. I did come across this thread, and wondered how things were going. Unfortunately the person is inactive I couldn't find out any more information.

 

[kme3388]

The only thing I do want to add is that Nico used to fall off his perch a lot. He seemed unstable on his feet, and additional to that he did toe tap, and wing flip when I first got him. This has changed, and he does appear to be doing better with his medications, exercise, and diet. Nico's feather plucking, and regurgitation hasn't improved at all (yes, this is common with Ekkie's so it would be hard to say if the disease is causing this, or if this is just Nico being an Ekkie. I would have to compare him to the average Ekkie to accurately report on this portion). Nico does appear to get infections easily, and his beak/nails grow so quickly in comparison to my Conure.

 

[kme3388]

I have taken some time before I commented further on this topic. I needed to gather my thoughts, and think objectively.



It was speculated that my jenday conure had bornavirus, and she developed PDD.



This is my interpretation of the situation. Mind everyone that it’s hard for me to not be emotionally reactive as Kiwi was my family member, and I cared for her for 15 years.



I’ve contacted vets, and prestigious medical facilities trying to gather information on bornavirus/PDD as I was trying to save Kiwi, and learn at the same time. I was informed there is no testing for bornavirus. Mind everyone that these vets, doctors, and facilities do recognize bornavirus.



I wanted to describe what happened to Kiwi through this process. Kiwi started out sleeping more than usual, weight loss, sluggish flying, twitching while sleeping. Her mate no longer slept by her, or went anywhere near her. As this disease progressed she started getting seed in her stools (advanced gastro issues). The very last day of her life she was having cluster seizures which is considered a very advanced stage of PDD. I at this point decided to euthanize her. No medication improved her condition. Nothing helped her. I literally watched her basically waste away and die for 4 months. I was informed once this disease advances to a certain stage a parrot will not survive, and all you can do is provide supportive care.



I just wanted to share my experience with PDD so anyone else that ever comes on a forum in this situation that others may be able to support this individual. They are going to lose their beloved parrot. There isn’t a vaccine, or quick fix. I want anyone who is in this situation to feel supported as I know what it’s like to be frustrated, confused, sad, mad, and mentally exhausted trying to understand how a parrot is healthy one day, and is dying from a wasting disease the next. Bornavirus a lot of parrots have. If it becomes PDD it is deadly. Not all parrots develop symptoms. How it’s transferred is debated among scientists from what I’ve gathered.

 

[Roseramble]

Lafeber made some interesting videos about this disease. It has random symptoms because it attacks random parts of the nervous system. Thankfully I have never had a bird sick with this. My condolences to anybody who has a bird suffering from it.

Avian Bornavirus & Ganglioneuritis Webinar Series

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