Giardia

[Kalidasa]

What he said^^^^.

 

[weco]

We can't really protect our family from every bad thing that is out there, but we can work on our own personal knowledge bases.....it's not so much of finding the time to do it as it is making the time to do it.....you can miss an American Idol or two & so what if you don't see this week's survivor.....with me, it's the two NCIS programs, but heck, wait a few weeks & I can go to the CBS website & watch them.....

While this has nothing directly to do with caring for our feathered friends, it is adding to our personal knowledge bases.....while the US, Canadian & other governments have seen to the reduction of asbestos use, did you know that we breathe in the dust everyday.....

Asbestos in Automobiles | Mesothelioma & Other Health Risks

Also, if you routinely drive next to railroad and/or commuter train tracks and have COPD or other lung problems, you might want to change your route.....train brakes are also manufactured using asbestos.....walk down an active track & wipe your fingers across the ties.....that black sooty stuff is not coal soot from the old coal burning locomotives.....

 

[weco]

Weco, I appreciate all your valuable advice and the information you share to the community. As much as your threads scare the crap out of me sometimes I look forward to clicking on them because I know how much it's going to help me care for boomer properly.

If things are that bad Boomer, here's an idea for future consideration and an explanation for any newbies that might need further insight.....

 

[Remy]

For the record, the fecal analysis that tests for intestinal parasites (Giardia is a parasite) is around $35. Really cheap for a lab test! Even though I didn't get Darcy to the vet right after I got him for money reasons, I did get him a fecal test to make sure he was clear, which he was.

Puck almost died from a giardia infection. It was misdiagnosed TWICE, because he was vomiting (and then got puffed up the next day, after seeing a vet that evening). They did an IV which helped perk him back up, then started treatment. I think we did a couple of treatments. Unfortunately, he still didn't make it much longer after that. :-(

 

[JerseyWendy]

If things are that bad Boomer, here's an idea for future consideration and an explanation for any newbies that might need further insight.....

The picture of the first "oval office" has me gasping for air, THAT's how hard I'm laughing over here!

 

[Kalidasa]

Lol that toilet office was awesome! ^^^ (weco)

 

[BoomBoom]

Lol nice toilet!

So I bought fresh oregano leaves last night. Kind of pricy so I think I will just grow my own in a pot, for long term use.

I wanted to ask if dried oregano (in bottles) would be just as effective in preventing giardia? How about oregano oil? Anyone ever try oils?

 

[Kalidasa]

Found a beautiful pot of oregano at a roadside stand on my bike ride this morning....I cut a sprig and clipped it in her "green" spot, and she seems to like it, took quite a few bites out of it. The whole pot of it was only 5 bucks, and it's a perennial so I'm putting it in the ground when I get home from work.
Don't know about oils boomer, but that avianweb.com site said dried is ok or whatever but fresh is better. I've grown it many times before, it's pretty effortless. Full sun, or partial sun, and it grows like a weed.

 

[cdnbirdlover]

Lol nice toilet!

So I bought fresh oregano leaves last night. Kind of pricy so I think I will just grow my own in a pot, for long term use.

I wanted to ask if dried oregano (in bottles) would be just as effective in preventing giardia? How about oregano oil? Anyone ever try oils?

We (the humans in my house) take oregano oil at the first sign of a cold or sore throat. It's nasty nasty stuff but seems to scare off a cold virus. I can't imagine Basil even attempting to try some of it. You can smell it six feet away and he is a fussy birdie. It's really strong and I have no idea if it would be safe for a bird. I think fresh oregano would be fine. Basil has eaten fresh parsley and basil (aack cannibalism) from the garden.

 

[BoomBoom]

Thanks for the feedback on the oregano oil. If its as bad tasting and strong smelling as you say then Boomer will probably not want to have anything to do with it either. Your post confused me at first until I realised your birdie's name was Basil lol! I thought why would basil want to try oregano?

Kali, I'll probably buy some seeds later and try to grow my own indoors (sunny bedroom window). Good that your parrot took a few bites of it. Mine just nibbled but did not ingest. He did head bob when I was clipping the sprig in his cage. He head bobs when he is pleased about somethingHopefully that's a good sign and I would home to a ravaged oregano spring later?

Well thanks for all the info in this thread. I feel better that at least there is a prevantative measure we could take. Garlic, oregano, I heard cloves but I don't even know what those are. If anyone has any more suggestions, I would love to read about it!

 

[cdnbirdlover]

Dried cloves are a spice used in baking. You can buy cloves whole or pulverized (looks like cinnamon). You must have cloves if you ever want to bake a pumpkin pie. Very nice smelling. I suppose you could sprinkle dried oregano into the food dish with pellets or seeds. Basil does not ingest anything by accident but I have tried giving him dried parsley. No idea if he ate any of it. Picky picky bird.

 

[RiahWillow]

I live just 14 miles south of Franklin in a small town called Thompsons Station.. I did live in Franklin in my youth.. Went to Franklin HS..
Did you get the bird from Williamson Co Animal Control? I worked there for two years as the only vet nurse, while my best friend was the only Vet... After one puppy mill bust I realized my heart couldn't take it and if I didnt go to work for an Avian Vet friend of mine and take my best friend (the vet I worked with at AC) with me I would end up a hoarder of cute fluffy white dogs. Now I feel like a hoarder some days because another friend put her 5 animals in my home for what was supposed to be 1 month and on July 4th of this year it will be 1 year.

 

[RiahWillow]

Mikey,

I volunteered with Happy Tails many years ago prior to the death of the founder. When she was alive it was an amazing rescue, since that time there have been some people who are in rescue all for the wrong reasons running the place. It has been sad to see how it has gone down over the years. Sort of like how Animal Land in Franklin lost its luster after Dixie Hall passed away in the early 90's (showing my age now).

I believe that Waco is talking about Williamson Co Animal control... thank goodness the bird was adopted from there by someone who knew what they were doing as they have no idea about how to care for anything other than a cat or dog in any other method other than basic... I saw far too many exotics perish at the animal control facility because of the staff not knowing anything about the animal itself. That building was built back in the mid 90's after county uproar surrounding the old facility (50 feet from the existing one) where they had gas chambers and dumping pits and all behind the local High School. While I am glad they have gotten the new building, the staff needs training and education so the services can be expanded for all animals needing shelter.

 

[wjgonzalez]

Giardia is an intestinal parasite, a protozoan, that you can only get by drinking contaminated water. It would be a rare event for a bird to get it from a municipal water supply, or a well. People usually get it while hiking, and stopping for a drink from a "pristine" stream or spring. It is commonly called "beaver fever."

 

[JerseyWendy]

Giardia is an intestinal parasite, a protozoan, that you can only get by drinking contaminated water. It would be a rare event for a bird to get it from a municipal water supply, or a well. People usually get it while hiking, and stopping for a drink from a "pristine" stream or spring. It is commonly called "beaver fever."

VERY true. One of my dogs picked it up JUST like you described, and it was somewhat of a pain in the neck until he was diagnosed properly.

 

[sodakat]

Anyone have any statistics on what percentage of birds that are tested for giardia actually test positive?

 

[BoomBoom]

Giardia is an intestinal parasite, a protozoan, that you can only get by drinking contaminated water. It would be a rare event for a bird to get it from a municipal water supply, or a well. People usually get it while hiking, and stopping for a drink from a "pristine" stream or spring. It is commonly called "beaver fever."

Thank God for that. I have been stressing about this for almost a week now. My conure is healthy but I always imagine the worst possible thing happening.

As a result, my cupboards are now stocked with dried oregano, whole cloves, powdered cloves, garlic, fresh oregano in the refrigerator. According to online articles, they prevent Giardia from getting a foot hold. Not sure how accurate it is. They are supposed to be safe in small quantities (still uncertain about garlic). I also scrubbed his cage grate twice in the shower and did my usual vinegar scrub of his cage and perches. It made me feel better about the whole thing just because I don't know how else to keep Giardia away.

Still it is good to be aware of this condition.

 

[BoomBoom]

Anyone have any statistics on what percentage of birds that are tested for giardia actually test positive?

I would like to know as well if anyone has info.

 

[weco]

Boomer, I really am sorry that my posting has stressed you out so much...however I applaud you for trying to do the right thing...many people would have just offered lip service and forgotten about it.....maybe an Italian cookbook would help.....

Sodakat & Boomer, I've never seen any real numbers on animal diseases that do not either affect an industry's bottom dollar or in some way directly affects we humans and our lives, zoonotic diseases...though I'm sure someone will get funding for such a study down the road.....here's some of the most current data Giardiasis Surveillance ? United States, 2009?2010

 

[BoomBoom]

Hmm interesting. California (where I am), has a slightly under average rate between 2009 and 2010. The number of cases is pretty high though (I guess because of our bigger population).

@Weco: No reason to apologize! I chose to be stressed. Besides, knowing is half the battle. So better to know than be in the dark about these things.