First time bird owner... Neurotic over health of bird

[KrisandPenelope]

So owning a new bird should come with a specifics manual. There are so many conflicting side of what can cause harm to your birds other then the major cleaning chemicals and Teflon. The new fear that recently popped up was human saliva. I'm normally very strict with my bird to not eat food that I have eaten and no birdie kisses and today I sneezed into my hand went to get up to wash and of course bird flew from my shoulder to my hand and mouthed all over my hand before I even had a chance to wash it or grab her off.. I've read conflicting things that I should be rushing her to the vet that my saliva is lethal to other people feeding their birds from their mouth. I've only had her for a little over 2 months and I feel like I have a newborn in the house! I love the bird to pieces so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[kq_fan]

Welcome to the world of bird owning! I am also worried about my fid who I love to pieces and I used to fear for her constantly. But I will say that I think your bird may be ok, my friend had his cockatiel for 17 years and all through that birds life, he was eating out of his mouth. I personally don't do this because well ew! But my point is that bird lived a long life even with exposer to saliva. But if you feel that your bird is in danger I am not saying don't bring her to the vet if you feel she needs it.

 

[RavensGryf]

Human (mammal) saliva contain certain bacteria which is part of our normal flora, that is not naturally found in a bird. I know that many people share their food from their mouth or a piece of food which the human has bitten off from. You hear about it all the time. Many times it's fine, but they 'can' get a bacterial infection in the gut from it. Don't worry to the extent that you think your bird is going to drop dead if she accidentally comes in contact with your saliva, that's not going to happen. Your saliva is not "lethal" as if it's made of arsenic. But still, do your best to keep her away from your mouth. To ease your mind, you can get a fecal test from the vet to check for bacteria balance. Many times articles on dangers will over exaggerate a little in order to keep people erring on the side of caution.

 

[SilverSage]

Exactly. The gram negative bacteria that is healthy for you is not for your fid. her immune system may simply handle it and move on without a hitch, or she may develope an infection, but she is not going to die this very second, and in fact I wouldn't take her to the vet yet, because it may be too early to tell whether she will be able to deal with it herself. If it makes you feel better, take her in a week to see if any residual bacteria is bothering her. I suggest a gram stain annually with her well birds visit anyway, just to see if any bacteria is hanging around causing problems.

 

[AnnBrown]

Dont feel crazy we are all a little neurotic at times about our birds health... I have fostered many many birds but just brought home my first baby (she is 7 months) and I feel like i just brought home a new born baby! the first night I checked on her several times!

 

[jasper19]

I have learned that there are way to many things to overly stress about. So just don't.

If you take most general precautions, and do your best, it will be just fine. I seem to think people over worry, which is natural. Like i said, if you take most precautions, and do your best, your bird is more hardy then you would think.