Hello! gotta question on MBS

[Ryno]

Ok, so I got another bird. MBS is a real thing, lol. I got a beautiful Green Cheek Conure who is about 4 months old named Millie. They lady I bought her from had a Quaker and a love bird. She told me the bird was healthy, and she seems very right. I currently have both birds in separate rooms in the house. So after my rambling, here is my question, should I still be cautious and stick to the 30 day quarantine for the new bird? She seems so sweet I think she is going to be great with Keelin, who is still battling feather plucking. Just looking for some advice from people who know more.

Thanks so much!
Ryno

 

[RavensGryf]

Unfortunately, you can never tell with birds by looking at them if they're truly healthy or not. In the case with the more common viruses which are contagious and deadly, the bird could look beautiful from the outside, as a surprising number of us here have had experiences with PDD, and too many have had a horrible experience with PBFD. But then many people also do not quarantine at all and their birds are fine. So, it's your call.

I'd take the birds to an avian vet and ask about the tests they recommend. Also a full blood panel to see what's going on in the way of organ function. Keep in mind, quarantine is not foolproof, as sometimes illnesses come out many months or a couple years later. Also, unless you are in a separate building with a separate air source, and suit up or wash yourself from top to bottom including bottoms of shoes or feet every single time you touch the new bird and service the cage, it is not true 'quarantine' anyway. We just do the best we can.

 

[Ryno]

RavensGryf, thank you so much for responding so quickly. I had every intention on taking the new bird to the vet, how ever I did not intend on taking them both, but I like the idea of taking both. Keelin was taken to the vet around January if I remember, so it wont hurt to take him again. Thanks again for responding so quickly!

 

[Kyoto]

Unfortunately, you can never tell with birds by looking at them if they're truly healthy or not. In the case with the more common viruses which are contagious and deadly, the bird could look beautiful from the outside, as a surprising number of us here have had experiences with PDD, and too many have had a horrible experience with PBFD. But then many people also do not quarantine at all and their birds are fine. So, it's your call.

I'd take the birds to an avian vet and ask about the tests they recommend. Also a full blood panel to see what's going on in the way of organ function. Keep in mind, quarantine is not foolproof, as sometimes illnesses come out many months or a couple years later. Also, unless you are in a separate building with a separate air source, and suit up or wash yourself from top to bottom including bottoms of shoes or feet every single time you touch the new bird and service the cage, it is not true 'quarantine' anyway. We just do the best we can.

Very useful insight, thank you!

I recently had someone ask me to bird sit, and had to decline because of my worry of passing along diseases. I also completely showered last night when I got home from the pet store because I handled another conure (I'm very paranoid about this stuff haha).

Good luck with your new baby!! I adore my GCC so much. What is the other kind of parrot that you have?

 

[jiannotto9492]

Always quarantine and always visit a vet with new animals of any type.

 

[Ryno]

My other bird is a GCC, Keelin is a Fancy GCC, very bright and beautiful! Well when his feathers come back in He is still beautiful to me!

 

[Ryno]

Alright the appointment with the local avian vet is set for Monday. I went with my gut and introduced Keelin and Millie. I moved Millie's cage into the same room as Keelin's. there is already a noticeable change in Keelin. He seems very curious and a lot calmer, he also doesn't bite as much or as hard and will get on my finger almost on command, which he never did. I am very well aware this may not be a good thing, but I have a very good feeling about it. Interaction between the two have only been from a distance, they got close once and the touched beaks, I wasn't sure if it was aggressive or not so I quickly moved them away from each other. I really hope I am doing the right thing here.