Catch a Cold ???

[bgriffin70]

So a lot of travel with Green Bean lately; all seemed very well. To the ocean, throughout a lot of Oregon (my work region but a couple of days ago, I noticed she wasn't as "vocal" as typical and now she's sneezing quite a bit.

CAN SHE HAVE JUST CAUGHT A COLD ???

She's doing everything else mostly normal; but I know the old saying or caution is that when symptoms start; it can sometimes be too late.

I know I worry way (WAY) too much; seems I'm on here all the time worried about something with her. Am I OCD with her? What is it about this little bird that makes me feel like I have a newborn baby? I worry constantly that something could be wrong.

I'm rambling... thoughts on maybe just a cold and she'll be all well soon now that we're back home?

 

[bgriffin70]

Doing some better; a little more active and vocal today. I sure hope this is/was just a bug or maybe she got a bit of a sore throat?

 

[Colorguarder08]

It is possible for birds to catch a cold.

 

[weco]

Every once in a while there is a post about an owner being concerned about their bird catching a cold or flu, but the truth is, NO, our feathered friends cannot catch our colds or become ill with flu from us. Here is a quotation from Dr. Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M. and published in her Exotic Pet Vet online publication:

"Many owners worry that their own family's colds or flu viruses will affect their pet birds. The good news is that the majority of human viruses are not contagious to birds (with the rare exception of a virus or two). However, that doesn't mean that we should allow mouth to beak contact with the birds we own, even if we are healthy, as some of the bacteria, yeasts, or other organisms found in our mouths can be dangerous to them. But I have examined many a bird that had developed a nasty cough or had sneezing fits that were actually just the bird imitating the latest cold virus that a family member was experiencing. And we think birds don't have a sense of humor! They hear their steward coughing, and secretly practice it until they have it down pat, then they begin hacking in front of the concerned owner. Not knowing that birds are not likely to catch their cold, they pack their beloved pet off to the vet for a check-up that comes up with the physical exam and test results showing a normal bird. Yep, it had learned to cough, and got a free (well, to the bird, anyway) trip to the vet!"

You may also be interested in this link:

Healthy pets, healthy people: How to avoid the diseases that pets can spread to people

It was published from information adapted with permission from a publication of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, the Alberta Medical Association and Alberta Health. Produced by the Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee of the Canadian Paediatric Society, Paediatr Child Health. Mar 2000; 5(2): 119–124.

 

[Allee]

Thank you for the article, weco. Informative and funny as well.

Hope Green Bean is feeling better.

 

[bgriffin70]

So thankful; Green Bean appears to be back to her normal (crazy) self.
Thanks for the replies. The lorikeet thread seems to be rather quiet of late.
BG

 

[watson70]

hey pack their beloved pet off to the vet for a check-up that comes up with the physical exam and test results showing a normal bird. Yep, it had learned to cough, and got a free (well, to the bird, anyway) trip to the vet!"

 

[Blancaej]

Glad Green Bean is feeling better.

 

[SharlenaSharlena]

For the longest time I thought our Starburst had a cold and it turns out she was copying me! She says bless you now and everything! Goofball Lorikeets!