Bornavirus

[Royalroacho]

Hello. Last October I went in to a bird store, "Exotic Pet Birds, inc.", in Webster, NY. I found a baby severe macaw, only a few weeks old. I immediately fell in love with her. I went to the store every single day to visit her, spent all my free time there with her. The store was just opening, I helped the owner with alot of things, setting up the store. After a few months, she was ready to come home. The entire time, she didn't have a band. He put it on the day she came home. I asked for her paperwork, he said she didn't have any. I had also overheard him talking about going down to Guatamala to get birds. I think she came from a parrot mill. I discovered all of this after I had bonded with her. About 2 months later, I noticed she was showing signs of nutrient deficiency. I started making her healthy bird bread that had everything she needed, and giving her a vitamin/mineral supplement in addition to the fresh fruits and vegetables she gets. She was eating very well, but still deteriorating, so I took her to the vet. She took a samples, and said she would call me with the results. She has Bornavirus. I wrote to the store owner to tell him she has it, and is likely not the only bird in his store with the disease. He basically blew me off. The past 6 months have been a living hell, watching her get worse. I've never experienced this amount of pain in my life. I've been giving her cyclosporine, I can't tell if it was helping, but Yesterday she took a turn for the worse. She falling and twitching and crying, and saying "I love you" over and over. This is excruciatingly painful. ...I'm going to have to put her to sleep. I already know he doesn't care, he's just trying to make a quick buck through unethical practices. What can I do??? I want him to pay. I want him to feel my rage and pain. I don't know if I can file a lawsuit. I'm sure he can afford a much better lawyer. I'm consumed with grief and sorrow. She is my best friend, and like a child to me. I don't know what to do.

 

[Laurasea]

Oh this is awful, just gut wrenching. My heart ache for you.....

 

[Laurasea]

I can't even process how sad this is for you! Call the state fish and wildlife, s
And report poaching, illegal import? Report to better business bureau, is there such a thing as a state veterinarian you can report to? Contact the local news? We have an On Your Side News segment for things like this... Yes the is s USDA state veterinarian health department, try getting in touch with them ..... maybe they can help, there are state health inspection for animals I think to...

 

[LaManuka]

How awful, my heart is breaking for you and that poor bird and all the birds who must have suffered a similar fate!! Surely there’s a government or animal welfare agency that can shut these shocking people down! Too many beautiful birds and well-meaning people like you are suffering terribly as a result. Perhaps a forum member here may have some info or contacts locally for you. I hope you can get some help!

 

[Royalroacho]

I can't even process how sad this is for you! Call the state fish and wildlife, s
And report poaching, illegal import? Report to better business bureau, is there such a thing as a state veterinarian you can report to? Contact the local news? We have an On Your Side News segment for things like this... Yes the is s USDA state veterinarian health department, try getting in touch with them ..... maybe they can help, there are state health inspection for animals I think to...

I wrote to the humane society a few weeks ago, they didn't respond. The problem is I have no proof. I know he doesn't get all his birds illegally, most of them I think we're from legitimate breeders. The macaws and some of the other more expensive birds didn't have bands. I don't even know if he's doing it anymore. He was talking to his assistant manager and didn't know I was sitting in an alcove with Ava, it sounded like they were debating whether they should keep doing it. But who knows, I could try. I'll talk to the vet, they should definitely know who to talk to. I just haven't been thinking straight, I should have thought of that. She's the most important part of my life, this is completely devastating

 

[Royalroacho]

She can't be the only bird with the disease he sold. There must be other people going through this same thing. And he knows it's his fault, and is doing nothing about it. Every time I see that store is still open I'm completely dismayed and angered.

 

[Laurasea]

You have enough to worry about! But I think the state fish abd wildlife department would be interested abd night do an investigation based on what you over heard. I would bring all the red tape you can down in them!!!! Fish and wildlife do all the import export stuff I think. So very sorry for you and yours

 

[Royalroacho]

You have enough to worry about! But I think the state fish abd wildlife department would be interested abd night do an investigation based on what you over heard. I would bring all the red tape you can down in them!!!! Fish and wildlife do all the import export stuff I think. So very sorry for you and yours

Thank you. It really hit me today, she got worse. I can't believe she's going to be gone. I work from home, she's the center of my life, from when we wake up til bed time. I will write to fish and wildlife, at least I can try. I am really a mess today, she was so screwed up, just laying in my arms crying. She got a little better a few hours before bed, but im sure that won't last, there's no recovery from this disease. I'm going to have to call the vet to arrange euthanasia Monday. God this is hell.

And what he said when he responded..."Hey Tom, sorry to hear that! We miss seeing you around! We're getting some new birds in soon if you want to stop in!" WTFingF!!!!....It's like something a sociopath would say...

 

[LaManuka]

I'm so very very sorry for what you're going through! It's so awful and devastating to lose a precious bird under any circumstances but this is just about the worst thing I have ever heard. I wasn't able to be with my baby boy when I lost him last month because he was in the vet hospital while I was desperately hoping for a recovery. As heartbreaking as it is your baby will have at the very least some comfort and the knowledge that you are there for her and that you love her. God bless you both!

 

[Laurasea]

USDA APHIS. Or NY Fish and Wildlife. I would call tho not letters. Have them direct you as how to proceed. You will probably want to do a necropsy for legal records, they might need DNA to trace as well. I hope you get justice. I really feel for what you are going through, my sympathies to you.

 

[Scott]

I am so sorry you are in a heartbreaking situation with seemingly no alternatives Please consult with the vet before making an irrevocable decision. If your vet is not certified avian or equivalent, you might consider a second opinion. That said, I have not experienced Bornavirus and presume you are well versed. Found this as reference, note the "What can be done..." near bottom: https://lafeber.com/vet/avian-bornavirus-primer/

If you have no ethical option and choose euthanasia, the follow-up advice shared by members seems appropriate. I would move heaven and earth to sanction the malevolent thug who consigns these beautiful and innocent creatures to a horrific disease.

 

[LaManuka]

I am so sorry you are in a heartbreaking situation with seemingly no alternatives Please consult with the vet before making an irrevocable decision. If your vet is not certified avian or equivalent, you might consider a second opinion. That said, I have not experienced Bornavirus and presume you are well versed. Found this as reference, note the "What can be done..." near bottom: https://lafeber.com/vet/avian-bornavirus-primer/

If you have no ethical option and choose euthanasia, the follow-up advice shared by members seems appropriate. I would move heaven and earth to sanction the malevolent thug who consigns these beautiful and innocent creatures to a horrific disease.

I thank you and Laurasea for those excellent suggestions and your support, but my goodness how dreadful for this terrible situation that is the result of nothing more than human greed at its worst!