Hi

[SunnyTheConure]

What's the difference between bird breeders lung and allergies to birds.

 

[fiddlejen]

Bird Breeders Lung is a disease that is caused over time by the accumulation of particulate (in this case feather dust etc) in the lungs which causes the lungs to not be able to perform their functions with regard to breathing.

ALLERGIES are an immediate reaction - usually mediated by one of our bodys' natural chemicals, HISTAMINE, in the body BUT NOT ALWAYS - to a substance or irritant. An allergicv reaction CAN result in swollen airways (ie asthma or other type of non-breathing reaction) or swollen neck lips face etc, OR sinus-type reactions (ranging from mild to equivalent of a VERY VERY BAD cold), EYE irritation, headaches, skin irritation, etc.

When mediated by the body's histamine process, ALLERGIES can be alleviated to various extent by use of anti-histamines, and full remission occurs with time and avoidance of all allergens.

Bird Breeders Lung, as a particulate-caused disease, will not be helped by antihistamines and is more-or-less a chronic & progressive disease by the time it has occurred. Not really reversible, and occurrs over time of long exposure.

 

[SunnyTheConure]

Ok I have 5 birds 4 budgies and 1 ringneck, I'm the main care giver and they are in a room with 2 doors and 2 walls separating them from the living room. In worried about my family members as when they go into the room, thier asthma worsens and they get a runny noise and a cough as well as sneezing what would u say this is an allergy or bird breeders lung. Also to get birds breeders lung you have to be the primary owner right spending less than 5 maintained in there a week isnt going to cause it is it. Thank you for your advice.

 

[WhiteFlight]

Allergies vs Bird Breeders Lung Disease

Hey Sunny,

Your concern for your family is admirable. It may be difficult for someone to make an accurate assessment without knowing all of the variables involved.

Some measures you might consider:

1. Have your family members allergy tested specific to both bird types.
2. Have your family members visit a pulmonologist to get a baseline exam and evaluation or a comparison exam and evaluation to compare to their last writeup.
3. Increase your cage maintenance to a regimental schedule. Include grate tray, immediate areas and anything unique to your configuration.
4. Increase your home maintenance to a regimental schedule, to cover airborne and tracked debris.
5. Vacuum cleaners that use water filtration do an excellent job at filtering virtually anything out of the air including bacteria and airborne pathogens, leading to greatly increased air quality.
6. Add water filtration air cleaners to the bird room and family room.

Hope you find some of this useful.